Abstract: An underwater hydro-reactive explosive system includes a pressure vessel with a central section of water disposed between identical sections of a material selected from the group consisting of thermites, intermetallics, nano-sized metallic particles, and micro-sized metallic particles. The water is provided in a stoichiometric quantity that provides a complete reaction with the material following simultaneous detonation of the sections thereof.

Abstract: A hoisting device includes a sling and first and second fork-pocket adaptors interconnected to the sling for engaging first and second fork pocket sets on opposite sides of a palletized structure. The first fork-pocket adaptor includes a first locking mechanism for mating with a corresponding locking feature of the first fork pocket set. In an exemplary embodiment, the first locking mechanism includes a retractable first engagement member at one end of the first fork-pocket adaptor for engaging a corresponding first locking feature of the first fork pocket set. The opposite end of the first fork-pocket adaptor includes a second locking mechanism with a second engagement member for engaging a corresponding second locking feature of the first fork pocket set.

Abstract: A method is provided for making blast explosive molding powder. According to an aspect of the invention, energetic solids and a metal powder are suspended in a bulk phase fluid. Lacquer is added to an energetic solids and metal powder suspension to achieve a super-saturated solution. Final granulation of the super-saturated solution is optimized to form a fluidized metallized energetic molding powder. The fluidized metallized energetic molding powder is distilled to remove an organic solvent component of the lacquer, which is reclaimed through distillation. The bulk phase fluid is decanted to recover a wet metallized energetic molding powder. The bulk phase fluid is reclaimed through distillation. The wet metallized energetic molding powder is dried to form a dry metallized energetic molding powder. This method is especially useful in making insensitive enhanced blast explosive molding powders with high metal powder content.

Abstract: A pressable explosive composition is provided. The composition includes at least 40 weight percent of substantially uncoated fuel particles, a nitramine mechanically blended with the substantially uncoated fuel particles, and a binder coating the nitramine. The binder constitutes about 1 to about 6 weight percent of the pressable explosive composition. Also provided are a pressed thermobaric explosive, weapons containing the pressed thermobaric explosive, and methods for making the composition and thermobaric explosive.

Abstract: A container is provided including a support base, side panels having guide tracks, front and rear panels, and a top cover. The front panel includes track followers releasably received in the front guide tracks. The front panel is pivotal outwardly away from the container compartment about the track followers, while the top cover is closed, from a substantially vertical orientation to an angled orientation in which the front panel upper edge is exposed from under the closed top cover. From this angled orientation, and while the cover remains closed, the track followers are slidable along and out of engagement with the respective front guide tracks to detach the front panel from the side panel, thereby providing front access to the container compartment.

Abstract: A decelerating apparatus includes a sleeve having a forward end and a rear end. A plurality of helical grooves formed in the sleeve. Each helical groove begins at the forward end of the sleeve and has a depth that decreases from the forward end of the sleeve towards the rear end. The depth of each helical groove at the forward end of the sleeve is large enough so that the helical groove cuts completely through the sleeve at the forward end. The plurality of helical grooves define deformable petals therebetween.

Abstract: An energetic composite material is provided that includes inorganic particles and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on the inorganic particles. The SAMs include multifunctional linking molecules and optionally non-linking molecules. The multifunctional linking molecules have linking functional groups respectively chemically bonding to a corresponding pair of the inorganic particles so that the multifunctional linking molecules interconnect the inorganic particles to one another to form a network of inorganic particles. The optional non-linking molecules include a non-linking functional group chemically bonded to a corresponding one of the inorganic particles. Preferably, the multifunctional linking molecules and/or the optional non-linking molecules are fluorinated. Also preferably, bare aluminum particles are selected as the inorganic particles and are passivated with the SAMs.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a gradient material using a screw extruder system having material input conditions, operating conditions, and hardware element configurations and introducing disturbances into at least one of the material input conditions, operating conditions, or hardware element configurations so that a gradient material is formed by the screw extruder system.

Abstract: A process for forming a protected metal mass includes forming an unprotected metal mass, vaporizing a layer forming reactant and depositing the layer forming reactant onto the unprotected metal mass, causing the layer forming reactant to bind to the surface of the metal mass as an attached protective layer.

Abstract: An arrangement for recoilless launch including a non-gaseous reaction mass having a weight in a range of about 25% to about 75% of a weight of a projectile. For the same projectile energy, less propellant is required than a rocket, which minimizes backblast and reduces before-launch weight. The recoilless launching is adapted to shoulder-launched projectiles in a confined space. The reaction mass may be particles associated with a propellant so as to be released concurrently as the propellant turns into gas and accelerated by and with the propellant gas in a nozzle.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive including a discontinuous phase dispersed in a liquid fuel continuous phase and is provided. The discontinuous phase contains a liquid oxidizer other than an inorganic oxidizer salt. Also provided are articles of manufacture containing the emulsion explosive.

Abstract: A MEMS resettable timer including a primary inertial element and at least one secondary inertial element, which includes a camming surface. When the secondary inertial element moves, its camming surface engages the camming surface of a locking element to remove it from the notch of a subsequent inertial element. When the primary inertial element is released for movement it activates a resetting arrangement to place the secondary inertial element back to the initial position and prevent further movement of the primary inertial element. The cycle is repeatable to commence some predetermined action.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing 1,5-Dinosyl-3,3,7,7-tetrakis(difluoramino) octahydro-1,5-diazocine (DNTDFD) by reacting tetrahydro-1,5-bis(4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocine-3,7-(2H, 6H) dione with HNF2/oleum initially approximately between ?5 and 0 degrees C., and allowing the temperature to rise to between 10 degrees C. and ambient temperature during said reaction to initiate difluoramination producing product DNTDFD. A 2:1 mixture of FREON® 11 refrigerant and pentane or cyclopentane, or pentane alone is used as a diluent and absorbent for the reagent difluoramine. The present invention reduces the time required to produce DNTDFD from about two weeks to one to three days and reduces the need to use relatively large quantities of FREON® 11, a compound which is damaging to the environment.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous, integrated process to produce a multiple layered energetic material where the layers comprise energetic materials having, at least, two different burning rates. The process uses at least two twin-screw extruders to process at least two different energetic materials. These energetic materials are extruded into a co-extrusion die that, first, thins each energetic material flow into layers, and, then, combines the layers into a multiple layered energetic material. One embodiment of the invention also includes a remote take away system that completes processing the multiple layered energetic material after it leaves the co-extrusion die. The outer edges of the multiple layered material are first trim cut, then rolled into wrapped spools. Finally, the wrapped spools are cut into specified lengths for final use. These cutting, trimming and rolling steps are all done automatically, with no personnel handling required.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises an aiming device that is attached to the end of the barrel of a dearmer or gun system in order to more quickly and more precisely align the dearmer or gun system with precise, small target. The aiming device also ensures that the dearmer or gun system remains at the minimum standoff distance required without the need to specifically measure the placement.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device that uses a flexible material, preferably in a mostly square shape. An explosive charge, usually in the form of a sheet of explosives, is cut to fit on the top side of the flexible material. A cutting plate, having orthogonal grooves on the top, is placed under the flexible material. An initiating means is connected to the explosive charge so that upon initiation, the grooves focus the explosive charge so that the cutting plate forms a plurality of petals that press into a soft metal container to create a fragment-free opening in the soft metal target material.

Abstract: A wet scrubber having a series of chambers for capturing and cooling exhaust gases generated during static test firing of rocket motors. Exhaust gas enters an inlet to a first chamber and is cooled and slowed by a spray solution. HCL gas is condensed and absorbed by the spray solution and precipitates to a liquid slurry at the bottom of the device. The remaining exhaust products enter a demister chamber where nozzles continue to spray the gasses as they pass upward and through a mesh-style demister at the top of the vessel. The demister filters liquid and solid waste particles from the gas stream, and the clean, dry gases are accelerated through a centrifugal fan into the atmosphere. A deflector is positioned within the inlet to the first chamber for containing parts in the event of a motor mal-function.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a warhead designed to provide a number of spiraling tendrils composed of segmented rods that move in an increasing radial arc in order to defeat a target. The warhead comprises a substantially cylindrical explosive charge having a plurality of rod segments arranged circumferentially around the explosive charge in a plurality of horizontal layers. As the horizontal layers descend down the explosive charge, the rod segments are offset from those directly above and below them to create a pattern that appears to be twisted columns. The number of columns is equivalent to the number of rod segments in each horizontal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pressure includes a cylindrical tube having an open end and a closed end; a piston disposed in the cylindrical tube at the open end; an accelerometer attached to a side of the piston that faces the closed end of the tube, the accelerometer for measuring the acceleration of the piston after a blast event; and a pressure sensor located inside the tube for measuring pressure in the tube between the piston and the closed end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a data processor and computer connected by wires to the accelerometer and pressure sensor for receiving signals generated by the accelerometer and pressure sensor.

Abstract: A portable, re-usable, elevated platform that provides a large, non-slip, grated surface on which an individual wearing a fully-encapsulated, hazardous materials suit may stand, and turn as needed to ensure thorough on-site decontamination. The platform generally comprises a top grate and two folding/pivoting support leg assemblies. The elevated design of the platform allows for the collection of the hazardous material runoff in a containment vessel deployed underneath. The platform is fabricated of impervious, strong, lightweight materials to prevent absorption of any hazardous materials and to provide sufficient structural strength while keeping its overall weight reasonable. The design is simple and straightforward, and can be economically manufactured.