Abstract: A fire suppression apparatus that includes a housing defining a first chamber containing a gas generant. The apparatus further includes an initiator operatively associated with the first chamber and in reaction initiating communication with the gas generant. The initiator, upon actuation, acts to ignite at least some of the gas generant to form gas. The housing further defines a second chamber adjacently disposed to the first chamber. The second chamber contains an endothermically-alterable material and a piston assembly including a piston. Upon actuation, the piston moves to expel at least a portion of the endothermically-alterable material from the second chamber such that the expelled endothermically-alterable material contacts and cools gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant. The housing further has at least one discharge opening to permit cooled gas to exit the housing. Corresponding or associated methods for suppressing a fire are also provided.

Abstract: Initiator systems for warheads include a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of an explosive material contained in an explosive device and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least a portion of an explosive material of a warhead. Scalable output explosive devices include an explosive material at least partially disposed within a housing and an initiator system including a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of the explosive material and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least another portion of the explosive material. Methods of igniting warheads include deflagrating a portion of an explosive material disposed within the warhead and detonating at least another portion of the explosive material disposed within the warhead.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic nitro compound, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) signature matching system comprises a heating and cooling device, a plurality of sensors configured to detect information related to the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and a background environment, a controller operably coupled with the heating and cooling device and the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to receive the information from the plurality of sensors and adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling device until the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and the IR signature of the background environment are at least substantially matched in a selectable sub-region of the IR spectrum. Other systems, control circuits and related methods for matching IR signatures and cloaking objects in the IR spectrum are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A releasable vest having a front panel; front shoulder strap elements that include at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening; a back panel; a first waist belt element and a second waist belt element that are releasably coupled to the front panel and extend from the front panel; at least one release loop that is capable of being passed through an opening formed in at least one of the waist belt elements and an opening formed in the front shoulder strap elements; and a release lanyard that is capable of being passed through the release loop so as to releasably secure the waist belt elements and the shoulder strap elements to the release loop.

Abstract: A releasable vest having a front panel; front shoulder strap elements that include at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening; a back panel; a first waist belt element that extends from the front panel and has at least one waist belt element attachment opening formed through the waist belt element; a second waist belt element that extends from the front panel and has at least one release loop attached thereto, wherein the at least one release loop is capable of being passed through the waist belt attachment opening of the first waist belt element and the at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening of the front shoulder strap elements; and a release lanyard that is capable of being passed through the release loop so as to releasably secure the first waist belt element and the at least one shoulder strap element to the release loop.

Abstract: A magazine pouch having slots for receiving a magazine having a conventional magazine notch engagable by the magazine catch assembly of firearm to retain the magazine within the magazine well of the firearm. The magazine pouch having a shuttle slidable to engage a retention element with a hook portion to move the hook portion into the slot such that the hook portion engages the magazine notch. The engagement of the hook portion to magazine notch retains the magazine within the slot during movement of an individual wearing the magazine pouch. The shuttle can be slid out of engagement with the hook portion to disengage the hook portion from the magazine notch allowing removal of the magazine.

Abstract: A fuel reformulation system for an engine comprising an annular body for a flow of fluids therethrough connected to the engine, a source of fuel for flowing through at least a portion of the annular body, and a catalytic member connected to the annular body for the flow of any fluids thereacross from the annular body.

Abstract: An encapsulated propellant charge comprised a sealed combustible container comprised of a consumable material and having a substantially cylindrical shape. The sealed combustible container comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall therebetween. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a chamber; which contains a propellant composition.

Abstract: A hybrid image gathering and data transmission system is provided. The system includes at least one parabolic reflector to gather, disseminate and direct electromagnetic radiation. A beam splitter using Fresnel Zone Plate Array (FZPA) is configured and arranged to receive and or transmit the electromagnetic radiation from or to the at least one parabolic reflector and separately focus microwave radiation and visual radiation. The beam splitter provides a gain in the microwave radiation and visual radiation. A Radio Frequency (RF) receiver/transmitter receives and transmits the microwave radiation from or to the beam splitter and a Focal Plane Array (FPA) receives the visible radiation from the beam splitter. A processor is in communication with the RF receiver and the FPA. The processor processes signals received by the RF receiver and the FPA and provide processed data to be transmitted to a remote location.

Abstract: A portion of a work-hardened essentially tubular work piece such as a metallic firearm cartridge case is annealed by contact with solid or granular tooling material which has been heated to a temperature approximately that of the appropriate annealing temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of overheating the work piece, and also thereby permitting the annealing of only that portion of the work piece contacted or in close proximity to the point(s) of contact.

Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.

Abstract: A flight safety assembly onboard an aerial vehicle includes a first sensor configured to sense first information related to flight of the aerial vehicle and a second sensor configured to sense second information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A sensor input is adapted to receive third information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A processor is operably coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the sensor input. The processor is configured to determine three independent instantaneous impact points for the aerial vehicle by independently analyzing each of the first information, the second information and the third information. The processor is also configured to generate three independent onboard flight termination indicators for each of the three independent instantaneous impact points that intersects with a region to be protected.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an adapter for attaching a handheld firearm to an unmanned air vehicle comprises a mounting assembly configured for attachment to said firearm and to the unmanned air vehicle, and an actuation assembly comprising an actuation device configured to actuate a trigger of the handheld firearm.

Abstract: In one example, a rocket nozzle assembly is disclosed that has stowed and deployed positions, and includes a casing including an outer wall and an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface defining a diverging region, wherein the casing defines a plurality of fin slots, and wherein each of the plurality of fin slots extend through the outer wall of the casing and the inner surface of the casing, and wherein the diverging region defines a bell-shaped contour. The assembly further includes a plurality of fins pivotally engaged to the casing, wherein in the stowed position, each of the plurality of fins extends into the diverging region through a respective one of the fin slots, and wherein in the deployed position, each of the plurality of fins extend outwardly from the casing.

Abstract: An inspection fixture is provided that includes a fixture, a lens, an ultrasonic phase array, a mirror and a liquid supply connector. The fixture body includes an inner chamber and an opening to the inner chamber. The lens defines a portion of the inner chamber. The ultrasonic phase array generates ultrasonic signals and is positioned to send the ultrasonic signals through the lens. The mirror is received within the inner chamber and is positioned at 45° in relation to the lens to reflect the ultrasonic signals from the lens, out the opening, to an inspection area of a body to be inspected and to reflect returned ultrasonic signals from the inspection area to the lens. The liquid supply connector is in fluid communication with the inner chamber.

Abstract: A precursor formulation of a liner comprising a polymer and at least two curatives. One of the at least two curatives comprises a more reactive curative and the other of the at least two curatives comprises a less reactive curative. The more reactive curative is formulated to crosslink the polymer. A method of lining a rocket motor is also disclosed, as is a rocket motor including the liner.

Abstract: A method of producing DEMN eutectic comprises reacting a reactant mixture comprising ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine with aqueous nitric acid to form a reaction mixture comprising diethylentriamine trinitrate and ethylenediamine dinitrate. The reaction mixture is combined with methylnitroguanidine and nitroguanidine to form an aqueous slurry. Water is removed from the aqueous slurry. A method of producing an energetic composition, and a system for producing DEMN eutectic are also described.

Abstract: Mechanisms for deploying a solar array include an elongated deployment member routed along a first panel, along an extension, and at least partially along a second panel. The elongated deployment member is configured to, upon retraction of the elongated deployment member by the deployment motor, move the extension into an extended position and rotate the second panel about a hub located at a distal end of the extension. Solar array assemblies include such a mechanism. Methods of deploying a solar array include retracting an elongated deployment member to rotate an extension into an extended position and further retracting the elongated deployment member to rotate a panel coupled to the extension approximately 360° about a hub of the extension.

Abstract: A method for processing explosives containing a high loading of CL-20 may advantageously include a binder system having naphthenic oil and/or paraffinic oil. Solid energetic ingredients are added into the binder system and mixed to form a free-flowing suspension in which the solid energetic ingredients are homogeneously mixed and coated with the binder system. The binder system is then cured and cast to form a cross-linked explosive.