Abstract: A high voltage high current transmission line for transmitting high voltage high current energy in the 10 kV and 200,000 A range from a power source to an end item to which the power is delivered. The high voltage high current transmission line includes two generally parallel configured conductive plates with an overlapping dielectric layering configuration. Each of the conductive plates are encompassed by a first dielectric material, both of the conductive plates encompassed by a second dielectric material, and the conductive plates are encompassed by an outer dielectric sheathing. The dielectric layering configuration may also include a dielectric material applied to the edges of the conductive plates. At one or both ends of the high voltage high current transmission line, a plug assembly may be provided for connecting to the power source and/or the discharge device.

Abstract: An interrogator plug for interfacing with the output socket of a pulsed power system to provide external leads engagable by a volt measurement device. The interrogator plug is sized to replicate a conventional plug such that the interrogator plug can be inserted into the output plug. The interrogator plug has lead assemblies positioned to engage the contacts of the output socket ordinarily engaged by conventional plugs. The interrogator plug can also include a divider circuit linked to a coaxial output for providing a reduced voltage current having an operational voltage safely measurable by conventional voltmeters.

Abstract: A gunner protection system for positioning armored panels around a hatch opening and a mounted weapon or equipment system. The armored panels are arranged to create an armored envelope surrounding the vehicle hatch and defining an opening through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. The armored panels can be individually raised to define a portion of the armored envelope or lowered to change the geometry of the armored envelope or opening according to the particular weapon or equipment system. Similarly, all of the armored panels can be lowered to collapse the armorer envelope to allow for efficient transport of the vehicle with the gunner protection system attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods of utilizing a common mounting provision within an armored vehicle. The common mounting provision includes a plurality of common mounting bosses that are arranged in a grid type pattern formed by attaching a plurality of mounting bars to an interior wall of an armored hull with each mounting bar including at least one of the common mounting bosses. The grid type pattern provides for a common spatial distance between adjacent apertures in rows and columns. When engineering changes are needed, the grid type pattern provides the engineer with known mounting bosses having a known spacing allowing the engineer to readily design the component to attach to the common mounting provision. By knowing the size and location of each mounting boss, the engineer will spend less time designing and fitting new components and will avoid having to continually update drawings to illustrate new mounting provisions.

Abstract: A high-voltage power connector comprising mating plug and socket assemblies. The socket assembly can include a hollow core surrounded by a bellows assembly filled with an inert liquid that eliminates arcing when an electrical connection is formed or broken. Embodiments of the plug and socket assemblies can include multiple contacts that first couple in air before an electrical circuit is formed and as the plug and socket are mated additional contacts inside the socket assembly mate while surrounded by an inert arc-suppressing fluid.

Abstract: A floating floor assembly for an armored vehicle mounted to the sides of the vehicle to suspend the floor above the belly armor of the vehicle rather than being directly supported by the belly armor. The floating floor reduces the amount of energy that is transferred by the floating floor from the belly plate and further reduces the risk that any deformation of the belly armor from the explosion will cascade to the floating floor causing the floor to buckle or fragment into secondary shrapnel.

Abstract: A trim vane assembly for amphibious armored vehicles and having a trim vane movable along a generally horizontal path between a deployed position in which the trim vane extends rearward from the vehicle and a stowed position in which the trim vane is positioned beneath the amphibious vehicle. In the retracted position, the trim vane movable is flush against or received within the vehicle bottom such that the trim vane supplements the belly armor. Similarly, the trim vane extends from or overlaps with the bottom of the vehicle when extended into the deployed position to provide continuous bottom face of the vehicle extending from the front of the vehicle to the end of the trim vane. Conventional trim vanes are rotated between a vertical orientation against the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal position extending from the rear of the vehicle reducing viscous drag.

Abstract: A bottom plate assembly for securing a bottom plate to an armored vehicle for adding to the existing armor or replacing the existing armor on the underside of the vehicle. The bottom plate assembly secures bottom plate to the vehicle hull by securing the bottom plate to the sidewalls of the vehicle.

Abstract: An armor appliqué system for supplementing the integrated armor of an amphibious vehicle without increasing the effective weight of the vehicle in water. A plurality of armored modules individually are affixed to the hull of an amphibious vehicle, each module having an armor element and a buoyant element sized to offset at least the weight of the armor element when the module is submerged in water. The modules can be arranged to align with the armor elements of neighboring modules and create a nearly continuous armor layer over a layer of buoyant elements and the hull. The modules can be provided in a plurality of different shapes and sizes such that the armor layer can be customized approximate to shape and size of the portion of the hull to prove protected.

Abstract: A gunner protection system for positioning armored panels around a hatch opening and a mounted weapon or equipment system. The armored panels are arranged to create an armored envelope surrounding the vehicle hatch and defining an opening through which the weapon or equipment system can be operated. The armored panels can be individually raised to define a portion of the armored envelope or lowered to change the geometry of the armored envelope or opening according to the particular weapon or equipment system. Similarly, all of the armored panels can be lowered to collapse the armorer envelope to allow for efficient transport of the vehicle with the gunner protection system attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for removably coupling at least one transparent armor assembly being in a vehicle window sill, the at least one transparent armor assembly including a frame that supports at least one transparent armor pane, the latch mechanism includes a latch mechanism assembly, the latch mechanism assembly being selectively operable by a vehicle occupant for effecting release of the at least one transparent armor assembly, such release permitting shifting of the at least one transparent armor assembly from the vehicle window frame to define an egress portal and the latch mechanism having an engaging member for selectively engaging the vehicle window frame, latch mechanism assembly being shiftable relative to the transparent armor assembly frame for accommodating a plurality of varying transparent armor assembly to vehicle window frame relationships. A method for removably coupling at least one transparent armor assembly to a vehicle window sill is further included.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for large bore gun systems having an integrated retention assembly for maintaining propellant charges within the cartridge case. The cartridge case having an interior space for receiving propellant charges and an open proximate end through which the propellant charges can be fed. An insulating sleeve defining an interior channel is affixed to the cartridge case and extends out of the proximate end of the cartridge case. The interior channel serves as a chute through which propellant charges can be fed. After the propellant charges are loaded, the insulating sleeve is crimped closed to retain the propellant charges within the cartridge case. A closure plug can be inserted into the proximate end of the cartridge case after the insulating sleeve is crimped closed.

Abstract: A shorting plug for a pulsed power system is provided, having a rotator assembly at least partially nested within a cam housing and at least partially rotatable within the cam housing with respect to a cam rail that operably engages the rotator assembly to transition between a shorted mode of operation and an open mode of operation. During the shorted mode of operation, a pair of electrical contacts extend from the cam housing to operably engage the electrical contacts electrically connected to a energy storage device such as a capacitor, while the electrical contacts are retracted and rotated within the cam housing during the open mode of operation. The rotator assembly is connected to a housing cap, which allows the operator to transition the shorting plug between the two modes of operation.

Abstract: A trim vane assembly for amphibious armored vehicles and having a trim vane movable along a generally horizontal path between a deployed position in which the trim vane extends rearward from the vehicle and a stowed position in which the trim vane is positioned beneath the amphibious vehicle. In the retracted position, the trim vane movable is flush against or received within the vehicle bottom such that the trim vane supplements the belly armor. Similarly, the trim vane extends from or overlaps with the bottom of the vehicle when extended into the deployed position to provide continuous bottom face of the vehicle extending from the front of the vehicle to the end of the trim vane. Conventional trim vanes are rotated between a vertical orientation against the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal position extending from the rear of the vehicle reducing viscous drag.

Abstract: A break-away wiper arm assembly which allows a vehicle escape window to be opened rapidly without any delays or undue forces to impede the escape of the vehicle crew. The invention uses a two piece coupling held together using a retaining ring. As the window is pushed open, the window frame pushes against the wiper arm which overcomes the retaining ring retention force allowing the wiper arm to break away, clearing the area in front of the window for free motion of the window and the unimpeded exit of vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A GNC device for use with a projectile, includes a rotating GNC portion and a non-rotating GNC portion, the rotating GNC portion being fixedly coupled to a projectile body, at least one bearing being interposed between the rotating GNC portion and a non-rotating GNC portion, the at least one bearing permitting the rotating GNC portion to rotate with respect to the non-rotating GNC portion. In a GNC device for use with a projectile, a method is further included.

Abstract: An output connector for a high voltage, high current power unit, including a plug assembly including a dielectric plug body having two conductive biplates arranged generally parallel to each other. The two conductive biplates abut a dielectric biplate backer and the two conductive biplates are separated by the dielectric biplate backer. A header assembly includes a dielectric header body presenting two substantially parallel, inwardly facing, vertical support walls on opposing sides of the receptacle recess. A bus bar assembly includes two contactors coupled to a flexible bus bar and abutting the vertical support walls. The two contactors are arranged such that a space exists between the contactors. A ring assembly is couplable to the plug assembly and structured to force the plug assembly axially inward to the header assembly whereby the biplates and the biplate backer are forced between the contactors.