Abstract: This invention relates to an optical detection of ballistics device using satellites emitting beams of neutral molecules in a specified direction. Intense optical radiation will be reflected off insulated surfaces of nose cones and detected by narrow band optical filters on the satellite.

Abstract: A method of propelling a projectile from a device by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a thin metal conductor wire causing the wire to explode and disperse hot spots of molten metal throughout an aluminum fuel powder/water mixture which reacts to generate hydrogen gas at high pressure in a chamber. The hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile from the device.

Abstract: A process for producing high temperature, oxidation resistant silver metal oatings on carbon/carbon composite structures by coating the carbon/carbon surfaces with molten AgNO.sub.3 at a temperature above the melting point of AgNO.sub.3 but below the decomposition temperature of AgNO.sub.3, and then heating the resulting uniform coating of molten AgNO.sub.3 at a temperature of from the decomposition temperature of AgNO.sub.3 to about 700.degree. C. to decompose the molten AgNO.sub.3 and form a uniform coating of silver metal.

Abstract: A thin film vector magnetometer is configured to produce an output that ves linearly with the component of an externally applied magnetic field in the plane of a thin film chip portion thereof along a predefined sensitivity axis. The sensitivity and linear dynamic range of the thin film vector magnetometer are intimately related to each other through a bias field supplied by a bias magnet portion of the device. The bias field also defines the sensitivity axes of the magnetometer which is orthogonal to the unidirectional bias field supplied by the bias magnet.

Abstract: Annular arrangements of thermionic filaments adjacent opposite axial ends a chamber within which argon gas at low presure is confined, generate steady state plasma with uniformity by low energy emission of gas ionizing electrons from the filaments. The ionizing electrons and plasma generated are axially confined between grids at the axial ends of the chamber and radially confined by a low intensity magnetic field generated by an external magnetic coil.

Abstract: A method of Kalman filtering for estimating the position and velocity of a racked object is provided. A Kalman filter is initialized with at least position and velocity error states in an inertial computational frame. Sensor measurements are used to develop a measured line-of-sight vector to the object. Matrix transformations are used to analytically rotate the sensor measurements into a measurement frame. The measurement frame is defined as having one axis pointing towards the estimated relative position of the object. The use of the measurement frame allows the method to be adaptable to any line-of-sight/computational frame geometry. Since statistical correlation of the measurements is not present in the measurement frame, the number of computations at each filter update is reduced.

Abstract: The invention consists of a class of high energy explosive yield enhancers reated through the use of microencapsulation techniques. The microcapsules consist of combinations of highly reactive oxidizers that are encapsulated in either passivated inorganic fuels or inert materials and inorganic fuels. Depending on the application, the availability of the various oxidizers and fuels within the microcapsules can be customized to increase the explosive yield or modify other characteristics of high explosives. The microcapsules prevent premature reaction of the component oxidizers and inorganic fuel to allow their use in munitions and propellant applications. The physical stability of the microcapsules, in combination with epoxies, plastics, and composites, also permits microcapsules to be included in warhead structural components.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use with a sea mine for detecting the presence of a ssing vessel by sensing a change in ambient water pressure caused by the Bernoulli effect relating to hydrodynamic flow induced by the vessel's motion. The sensor emits a responsive signal which can be used alone, or with signals from other influence sensors (acoustic and magnetic), to determine when the sea mine shoud be exploded. The sensor provides for equal sensitivity independent of the ambient pressure of the water at various depths at which sea mines may be planted, and employs electrical filters to eliminate noise.

Abstract: An infrared radiation detector having a first semiconductor layer deposited n a substrate to form a diode junction with an overlay contact, is rendered more effective to detect long wavelength radiation by deposit of a second semiconductor layer between the first layer and the overlay contact in a heterojunction arrangement. The semiconductor materials are selected so as to separate radiation absorbing and electrical functions respectively performed within the two layers and to produce an enhanced output across the diode junction between the first layer and the overlay contact.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an invention for beneficiation of powered material having superconducting characteristics and processes for carrying it out. The invention involves introducing powdered superconducting material into the vertical field of a magnet wherein particles thereof are levitated according to the Meissner Effect. Particles which are more superconducting levitate at higher elevations or states above the magnet than do particles containing phases that are non-superconducting. Particles that are non-superconducting do not react at all in the magnetic field. Levitated particles are selectively harvested from whatever states desired.

Abstract: A method for producing lightweight silver-nickel composite electrodes by(1) infiltrating a graphite fiber plaque with a suspension of finely divi nickel powder in an aqueous solution of AgNO.sub.3 ;(2) drying the graphite fiber plaque to produce a coating of AgNO.sub.3 crystals and nickel particles on the surfaces of the graphite fibers;(3) heating the coated graphite fiber plaque at a temperature about the melting point of AgNO.sub.3 but below the decomposition temperature of AgNO.sub.3 until the AgNO.sub.3 melts and wets the nickel particles and the surfaces of the graphite fibers; and(4) heating the molten AgNO.sub.3 coated graphite fiber plaque at a temperature from the decomposition temperature of AgNO.sub.3 to about 600.degree. C. until the AgNO.sub.3 decomposes to form a thin uniform silver metal coating over the nickel particles and the surfaces of the graphite fibers.The silver-nickel particle coated graphite plaques is electrochemically treated to convert the silver to silver active material (Ag.

Abstract: A transition radiation interference spectrometer for measuring the energy and divergence of a charged particle beam. Transition radiation is created by placing an interferometer in the path of the charged particle beam. The resulting interference pattern is focused and masked to define an angular element at a fixed angle with respect to the direction of specular reflection. The radiation in the angular element is dispersed into wavelength components. The intensity or amplitude of the wavelength components as a function of wavelength is indicative of the beam's energy and divergence.

Abstract: Magnesium oxide sensing material is pretreated and charged by UV radiation o identify impingement thereon of radiation from a near infrared laser source by detection of blue emissions which persist for an unusually long period of time, avoiding frequent respotting and recharging. When heated to thermoluminescence peaks above room temperature by irradiation from a far infrared laser source, the magnesium oxide exhibits green luminescence enabling wavelength discrimination between detection of near and far infrared laser sources. Such pretreated magnesium oxide also produces green emissions when irradiated by UV laser sources, to distinguish between detection of the UV laser sources and the far infrared laser sources by discrimination between different fading behaviors of the green emissions.

Abstract: A process for preparing triaminoguanidine nitrate from relatively impure -99 percent)/commercial guanidine nitrate and commercial grade aqueous hydrazine (50-64 weight percent) in alcohol by: (1) adding enough hydrazine to form monoaminoguanidine nitrate, diaminoguanidine nitrate, or mixtures thereof, (2) physically removing the alcohol insoluble, solid impurities from the solution, (3) adding the remainder of the hydrazine needed to form triaminoguanidine nitrate, (4) adding nitric acid to adjust the pH to from 4.5 to 5.5, and (6) isolating the product triaminoguanidine nitrate.

Abstract: Axially elongated drive modules are interconnected at their opposite ends angularly spaced supports in a polygonal arrangement on an inner ring to establish tensile stress therein, while intermediate module centers are spaced from an inner shaft by solenoid locks. Each module includes at least two magnetostrictive rod elements held in axial alignment at their adjacent ends by a coupling, through which the module is radially spaced from the common axis. Drive coils electrically energized to generate magnetic fields cause simultaneous elongation and contraction of the rod elements to apply unidirectional torque to a rotor formed by either the outer ring or the inner shaft.

Abstract: A process for preparing monoclinic celsian from AlF.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3, and fused SiO.sub.2 powders by heating an intimate mixture of the powders (1) at from about 700.degree. to 900.degree. C. to form topaz and then (2) at a temperature as low as 900.degree. C. to produce monoclinic celsian. The reactions take place in an atmosphere of the gases generated by the reactions.

Abstract: The magnetostrictive rod of a linear motor is made of twinned single crys Terfenol-D having its crystalline axis aligned with the rod axis to produce non-uniform transverse magnetostriction during axial magnetostrictive elongation of the rod in response to a triggering magnetic field. Slide bearing forces applied through spring biased support plates are limited to flat surfaces formed on the rod perpendicular to a transverse axis along which the rod is magnetostrictively contracted.

Abstract: A monitor determines, from the ground, the orientation (roll and attitude) f a missile by observation of the character of a transmitted signal(s) therefrom. By transmitting to a ground receiver a linearly polarized signal(s), the missile identifies a given plane fixed with respect to its body frame. This plane is identified at the ground receiver by comparing the ratio of the signal(s) received in any two cross-polarized directions. To resolve the attendant 180.degree. ambiguity, the monitor employs an antenna array disposed on the missile that is switchable, back and forth, between two equal power lobes. The monitor operates with a single transmitter, and the simple lobe structure of the transmitted signal(s) is obtained using a linearly polarized antenna array with electronic phase switching between the aforementioned equal power lobes.

Abstract: The ferroelectric capacitor in each memory cell of an array has a logically nactive electrode plate maintained at a fixed voltage level and an opposed electrode plate coupled through a switching transistor, turned on by address signals, to a bit line through which the polarization of the capacitor is logically controlled to write and store binary logic data therein which is also readout through the same bit line at a different time during a logic restoring read operation. The ferroelectric material has sufficient conductivity to maintain the electrodes at nearly equal potentials.

Abstract: 5-carboxy-1,3-diamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (DATBA), ##STR1## which is prepared by reacting 5-fluoro-1,3-diamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene with cyanotrimethylsilane to form 5-cyano-1,3-diamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene which is then hydrolyzed with a strong acid to form the DATBA.