Abstract: A magazine support reinforcement for a machine gun having a receiver. A magazine support is attached to the underside of the receiver. The magazine support reinforcement is connected to the magazine support. The reinforcement includes a front support, a rear support and a fastener for fastening the front support to the rear support. The front and rear supports include bracing members having a generally concave side and a lug portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the azimuth of a tube having a bore axis includes a centering mandrel having a longitudinal axis; a flexible member for defining a bore axis projection of the bore axis; a tensioner fixed to one end of the flexible member, and a pair of adjusters connected to the tensioner, the adjusters for moving the tensioner along a respective pair of axes that are perpendicular to the bore axis projection, the axes of the adjusters being mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: A dual purpose munition includes a housing; a shaped warhead disposed in a front interior of the housing; a vertically orienting explosive disposed on a front end of the housing; a safe and arm device explosively connected to the shaped warhead for arming and detonating the shaped warhead; a dual sensor circuit comprising an E-field sensor board, a B-field sensor board and a processor board; and a power source connected to the dual sensor circuit and the safe and arm device.

Abstract: A ballistic test projectile includes a nose section comprising a windshield and aft of the windshield, an ogive; a body section aft of the nose section, the body section comprising a generally cylindrical body connected to the ogive; a base section aft of the body section, the base section comprising a base adapter connected to the body and a base bottom connected to the base adapter; a base pressure gage disposed in the base bottom; at least one side pressure gage disposed in the body; and an electronics cup disposed in the body, the electronics cup comprising a battery cup, a signal conditioning cup, a multiplexer cup, an accelerometer cup and a transmitter cup.

Abstract: A perchlorate-free solid pyrotechnic flash bang composition is disclosed, which comprises an oxidizer component selected from the group comprising potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, and basic copper nitrate and combinations thereof, a metallic fuel component selected from the group comprising aluminum, magnesium, magnesium-aluminum alloys, silicon, zirconium, and combinations thereof, and a non-metallic fuel component comprising sulfur. The flash bang pyrotechnic composition may also further comprise a ballistic accelerant component, a pH stabilizer, and a free flow/anti-caking component.

Abstract: Various shaped charges and methods of operation produce multiple jets in various profiles by employing multiple initiation points to address various earthen formations and producing different types of perforations in well bores. The shaped charge device includes a configuration of components wherein multiple detonation tracks are used to allow selective initiation and operation. Dual or quad initiation may be provided to initiate operation.

Abstract: An improved magazine for use in existing firearms comprises a housing, a follower, a spring, a spring hold and a cap. The housing comprises protruded surfaces for structural strength and a projection that acts as a stop member to define the maximum insertion of the magazine into the firearm magazine well. The follower comprises two follower legs and a spring retainer, and travels up and down the housing. The perimeters of the follower and follower legs mirror the internal profile of the magazine housing for a well-defined travel path within the magazine housing. The spring hold comprises a spring retainer and a round protrusion that locks it into the cap via a circular cut. The cap comprises flanges that slide into the slots against the end stop at the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A method and system optimally determines a desired Height of Burst (HOB) over a target based solely upon the time at which the projectile reached or passes through the apogee or apex of its trajectory (ta). There are several modes of implementation. According to one mode, the downleg is determined as a percentage of the upleg. According to another mode, the time to Height Of Burst (tHOB) is calculated algebraically based substantially solely upon the time to height of apogee ta.

Abstract: A munitions energy system combines various sources of energy generation with energy storage to provide power to a munition through various stages of the munition's operation. The system uses energy harvesting technologies which convert energy captured from the environment of the munition to electrical power which can be used to meet the munition's power needs. Energy can be harvested from the mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic environment of the munition. The harvested energy can be stored by the system for later use. The system can also receive energy from conventional sources such as batteries and manage the energy from all sources to meet the power requirements of the munition.

Abstract: An explosive primer responsive to optical energy is constructed from an energetic composition optically coupled to an optical power source by a pigtailed optical fiber. The pigtailed portion of the optical fiber is positioned proximate to the energetic composition such that optical power emitted preferably by a laser diode initiates the detonation of the energetic composition thereby further initiating an additional, sympathetic detonation.

Abstract: A weapon includes a receiver having a bolt carrier assembly therein; a buttstock disposed behind the receiver, the buttstock having a tubular opening adjacent an end of the bolt carrier assembly; a larger diameter spring disposed in the tubular opening; a smaller diameter spring disposed in the larger diameter spring; a rod disposed in the rear end of the smaller diameter spring; a bumper attached to the rod; and a cap disposed in the front end of the spring, the cap having a head wherein a front side of the head engages the end of the bolt carrier assembly and a front end of the larger diameter spring bears against a rear side of the head.

Abstract: A gunner protection apparatus for a tactical or armored vehicle having a turret or hatch opening that exposes crewmembers to enemy threats. The gunner protection apparatus includes a turret portion attached to the vehicle's turret, the turret portion comprising a substantially circular base plate fixed to the vehicle's turret; a plurality of vertical supports fixed to the base plate; a plurality of clamps connected to the plurality of vertical supports, respectively; and a plurality of curved glass panels having ends fixed between the clamps and the vertical supports; a gun support disposed in a bearing sleeve hole and rotatable about a vertical axis of the bearing sleeve hole; and a front shield fixed to the gun support, the front shield having a gun opening and at least one window, the front shield being rotatable with the gun support.

Abstract: A remote firing mechanism enables an operator to fire a weapon remotely, from a position other than from behind the breech, in order to minimize firing hazards to the operator. The remote firing mechanism is secured to a carrier assembly mounted on, or near the breech, for enabling an operator to fire the weapon from the right side of the weapon. The carrier assembly includes a connector secured to a linkage mechanism of the remote firing mechanism. In turn, the linkage mechanism is connected to a lanyard that enables the operator to initiate the firing operation. The linkage mechanism and the lanyard are positioned remotely from the breech.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; an opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a solenoid having a plunger, the plunger being disposed to open the spring loaded valve assembly; and a vacuum source connected to the spring loaded valve assembly.

Abstract: An electrically-fired round includes a case sized to fit in a conventional large caliber gun; a launch tube disposed in the case; a plurality of projectiles axially stacked in the launch tube; each projectile comprising a cylindrical body having a circular lid that closes the forward end and a circular base that closes the rear end, the circular lid and the circular base defining a payload volume therebetween, the circular base including a cavity formed therein, a propellant charge disposed in the cavity, and an igniter disposed in the propellant charge; a case base plate that closes a rear end of the case; and electrical connections between the case base plate and each igniter.

Abstract: A plotting board includes a base; a top; a pivot that connects the top and the base, the top and the base being rotatable and detachable with respect to each other, the pivot including a magnet wherein at least a portion of the pivot is disposed at a substantially central point on the top.

Abstract: A container for an ammunition cartridge having a conical forward portion includes a generally cylindrical cap having a closed end and an open end; a generally cylindrical main body having a closed end, an open end and a wall, a thickness of the wall at the open end decreasing from a larger thickness to a smaller thickness to form a taper on an exterior surface of the wall; a latch assembly disposed in part on the cap and in part on the main body to lock the cap and the main body in position; a first gasket disposed in the cap; a second gasket disposed around the taper of the main body; a cartridge support disposed inside the main body; a pair of bosses disposed on the main body and axially separated; and a strap connecting the bosses and comprising a middle portion and two end portions, whereby when a load is applied to the middle portion the end portions are forced against the bosses.

Abstract: A training mortar apparatus includes a small mortar tube and a large mortar tube, the small mortar tube being disposed in the large mortar tube; a removable base cap attached to one end of the small mortar tube; a plug inserted in the removable base cap; a removable firing pin inserted in the plug; a second base cap attached to one end of the large mortar tube; and at least one opening in the large mortar tube, the opening being axially aligned with the removable firing pin of the small mortar tube. Improved manufacturing methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual spin projectile includes a base; a body connected to the base with a first snap joint, the first snap joint allowing relative rotation between the base and the body; a can having an open forward end and connected to the body with a second snap joint, the second snap joint allowing relative rotation between the body and the can; an aft payload disposed in the body; a forward payload disposed in the can; and a cap connected to the can and closing the open forward end of the can.

Abstract: A one-piece metal cartridge loop has no welds and no overlapping parts. The cartridge loop includes a plurality of locking tabs for positioning a cartridge therein. One end of the cartridge loop includes a coupling interface and another end of the cartridge loop includes a coupling support. A method of making the non-welded cartridge loop is disclosed.