Abstract: The present specification describes a process by which a blood substitute (hereinafter referred to as "HemoSafe") is derived from uniformly stabilized monomers and polymers of deoxyhemoglobin in its tight (T) conformation, with oxygen affinity similar to that of human blood. Two classes of HemoSafe are derived respectively from anima-hemoglobin and human-hemoglobin. HemoSafe (animal) differs from HemoSafe (human) in that it is free of polymers in order to reduce potential immunogenicity if used in man. Both types of HemoSafe may be derived in the following manner. The stabilized deoxyhemoglobins are converted to their carbonmonoxy derivatives (CO-HemoSafe) which are then stable under pasteurization conditions to render them viral disease transmission-free. CO-HemoSafes are stable for 2 months at 56.degree. C. in either the solution or the freeze-dried state. For transfusion CO-HemoSafes are easily oxygenated under sterile conditions by photoconversion yielding oxy-HemoSafe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the similarity of multi-mode radar pulses detected by a passive ESM receiver. The method consists of fitting a straight line to the differential phase of pairs of received signals, one signal of a pair being a currently received signal pulse and the other a previously received signal pulse, by a best least squares fit method. The slope of that straight line gives the frequency offset between the signals and the mean square error between the actual phase-time data and the straight line indicates the similarity of the signals. A second measure of the similarity of the signals can be obtained by applying statistical tests for serial correlation in the difference between the phase-time data and the straight line.

Abstract: A relatively low drag, completely free-flying, tubular vehicle comprises a body that defines a leading edge and a trailing edge and includes an external surface and an internal surface each extending from the leading to the trailing edge. The internal surface has an axially converging upstream section extending from the leading edge to a discontinuity that constitutes a throat in the vehicle. The internal surface also has an axially diverging downstream section extending from the throat to the trailing edge. The internal surface is configured to enable introduction and mixing of fuel into an airstream flowing therethrough, and to generate a shock wave when in flight. The shock wave is of such magnitude and direction as to create a hot spot that subsequently causes ignition and combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The combustion causes formation of a detonation bubble and migration of the associated wave front upstream to stabilize slightly downstream of the throat.

Abstract: A raman cell oscillator/amplifier arrangement comprising a cell containing a raman high pressure gas or liquid medium with an axicon being located at each end of the cell, one axicon having an input window for a laser pump beam and the axicon at the cell's other end having an output coupler for the raman process converted beam. The axicons directs the laser pump beam towards an extended line focus along the axis of the cell at a shallow angle, the extended line focus for each axicon being collinear with each other to produce an extended raman gain region. By suitable design, it can be ensured that the pump beam energy density at focus is lower than either an optical breakdown or Brillouin backscatter threshold. This provides a means of efficiently producing a raman laser or amplifier having an extended raman gain region without developing problems of optical breakdown, Brillouin backscattering or self-focusing in the case of a liquid raman media.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an injection mouldable synthetic rubber composition which provides twenty-four hour protection from penetration by H-agent and as such is particularly suitable for use in gas masks. The novel rubber composition comprises a synthetic rubber such as bromobutyl rubber, carbon black and other appropriate additives.

Abstract: A laser warning receiver (LWR) having an ability to not only detect a low power level laser source, such as a pulse train emitted by a laser beam rider, but to also provide a high angular resolution in determining the angle of arrival of that pulse train. The receiver includes a lens/filter arrangement for a large area photodetector to detect an incoming signal from an emitting source and a high gain amplifier to amplify the signal which is then applied to a synchronization generator that generates a digital pulse train with pulses corresponding to peaks in the incoming signal. The digital pulse train is applied to a code breaker where the code is analyzed and a further code is generated anticipating the arrival of further pulses in order to verify the code. That further code is applied to a time gate generator which generate a code, synchronized with the incoming signal, that controls the high voltage of a gated image intensifier which is coupled to a video camera.

Abstract: An identification friend-or-foe system for vehicles wherein each vehicle is provided with a radiation transmitter and a receiver with a detector for detecting radiation transmitted by other vehicles. Each transmitter can transmit a first coded signal which can be detected by the receivers in other vehicles, the receivers providing an unblocking signal after the first coded signal is correctly identified. The unblocking signal clears a radiation transmission path in the vehicle, the path containing a reflector which reflects the received signal back to the source of the transmission. The reflector adds a further predetermined code to the signal reflected from the reflector with each vehicle having another detector for detecting a reflected signal and a device to identify the further predetermined code.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymers, which are used as binders in composite explosive and propellant compositions, include hydroxyl groups which react with the isocyanate curing agent normally used in such compositions. Since the functionality of available linear glycidyl azide polymers is less than two, triols and/or triisocyanates are needed to crosslink the chains to form a matrix. A glycidyl azide polymer with increased functionality (higher than two) and reactivity obviates the need for triols and triisocyanates in the compositions. Moreover, a glycidyl azide polymer with primary hydroxyl groups would give faster curing reactions at lower temperatures without gassing problems, eliminating the need for a catalyst. Examples of glycidyl azide polymer having increased functionality have one of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein R is ##STR2## wherein m and n are different from zero, and m+n is 4 to 60.

Abstract: Heat control for an animal body is provided by way of micro-climate conditioning clothing incorporating an inner first layer of spacer mesh material. A second layer of impermeable material is in contact with the first layer and has perforations therethrough. A third layer of spacer mesh material is provided as well as a fourth outer layer of impermeable material which is fastened along its edges to the second layer. An inlet/outlet port for a gaseous fluid is provided.

Abstract: A lidar with a laser transmitter for transmitting a laser beam and a receiver having receiving optics for detecting radiation reflected back from the beam by aerosol particles in the atmosphere, the receiver having an optical axis aligned with the beam. The receiver includes a number of radiation receiving elements such as concentric radiation detector elements placed in the receiving optics focal plane so that these concentric detector elements can measure backscatter radiation from the beam at several fields of view simultaneously. Backscattered signals at fields of view larger than the laser beams's divergence are due to multiple scattering. The unknown backscatter coefficient can then be eliminated by ratioing the lidar returns at the different fields of view.

Abstract: Novel energetic azido thermoplastic elastomers (ATPE's) are described. Such materials are useful as binders in energetic formulations to replace conventional inert thermosetting prepolymers. The ATPE's are easily formulated either by blending or chemically bonding an energetic azido elastomeric component and a thermoplastic component. The elastomeric component is a branched chain hydroxy-terminated azido polymer or copolymer. The thermoplastic component is a commercial polyether or polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether copolymers containing glycidyl azide and an additional substituent selected from the group consisting of alkylene oxide, styrene azide oxide and glycidyl units, and a single step method for the manufacture thereof which involves reacting a solid rubbery material selected from epichlorohydrin/alkylene oxide copolymer (PEEC) and polyepichlorohydrin homopolymer (PECH) with various epoxide monomers. The novel polyether copolymers are useful as energetic binders in explosive and solid rocket propellant compositions.

Abstract: Activated charcoal, or ASC whetlerite charcoal for use in providing protection against chemical warfare agents, contains chromium VI, which is a known carcinogen, as well as other metal impregnants. Thus disposal of the charcoal can present problems. The charcoal is usually impregnated with the chromium and other active metals by placing the charcoal in a solution of the metals, and oven drying the charcoal so that crystals are deposited thereon. It has been found that if the charcoal is freeze-dried the quantity of the metals such as chromium VI can be reduced by as much as 50% without compromising the performance of the charcoal.

Abstract: A fire-retardant air and water vapor permeable foam material resistant to passage therethrough of noxious chemicals in liquid or vapor form is described. The foam material is typically an open-cell polyurethane foam including a particulate adsorbent, organic binder and a solid water-insoluble fire-retardant dispersed in the foam. The foam material is bonded on at least one side to an air and water vapor permeable fabric to form a fire-retardant laminate material suitable for the manufacture of various protective garments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of fuel cells arranged in series. More particularly, the method and apparatus involve the measurement and comparison of fuel cell performance indicators, such as voltage, in groups of cells connected in series. In a first embodiment, the voltage across each fuel cell group is compared to a reference voltage equal to a predetermined minimum voltage. In a second embodiment, the voltage across each group is compared to a reference voltage equal to the average across all fuel cell groups. In a third embodiment, a reference voltage equal to the voltage across one group is compared to the voltage across each of the other fuel cell groups. In a fourth embodiment, the voltage across each group is compared as a reference voltage to the voltage across an adjacent fuel cell group. Other embodiments comprising various combinations of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemical initiation of detonation of a fuel-in-air (FAE) cloud such as might be used in a minefield breaching system. A component of the system is adapted to carry fuel to the breaching site and is also adapted to carry a compatible chemical, either gaseous or liquid. Upon detonation of a suitable explosive within the component the fuel is dispersed outwardly to form the cloud and the chemical is jetted outwardly into the cloud in a turbulent manner. A chemical reaction between the chemical initiator and the fuel-air mixture leads almost instantaneously to an explosive shock wave that propagates through the cloud causing detonation thereof. Such detonation neutralizes the minefield along a desired path. With the invention it is not necessary to utilize secondary charges and hence a more efficient and reliable breaching system is achieved.

Abstract: Activated carbon is used on gas-mask canisters for filtering air to remove toxic vapors. For military use, the charcoal is impregnated with inorganic salts or organic compounds for improving the chemical activity of the charcoal with respect to toxic vapors having low boiling points and small molecular sizes, e.g. cyanogen chloride. One such compound, namely triethylenediamine (TEDA) has been added to charcoal by sublimation at atmospheric pressure. A more effective method of impregnating charcoal with TEDA utilizes reduced pressure 0.13 to 13 Pa, preferably 1.3 Pa as a driving force to facilitate vaporization of the TEDA by sublimation. The activated carbon to be impregnated is dried at 110.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. for three hours and transferred to a vacuum desiccator. The required amount of the amine, namely 1.57 to 12.57%, preferably 4.7% is placed in the container on top of the activated carbon and the container is evacuated to a pressure of about 1.3 Pa and heated at 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A rebalance loop for controlling a dry tuned rotor gyroscope having a rotor moveable about two orthogonal axes, a first pickoff associated with one of the axes for producing an electrical error signal when a rate is applied to one of the axes, a second pickoff associated with the other of the axes for producing an electrical error signal when a rate is applied to that axis and a pair of torquer coil adapted to receive electrical control signals from the rebalance loop and apply torques to the rotor about the two axes for correcting errors detected by the pickoffs.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy-terminated aliphatic azido polymers and copolymers with variable molecular weight (MW) and a single step method for the preparation thereof which involves respectively reacting a high (MW) 0.5-5.0.times.10.sup.6) solid rubbery polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) homopolymer and epichlorohydrin/alkylene oxide copolymer (PEEC), with an alkali metal azide in a suitable organic solvent, in the presence of an initiator at elevated temperature. The MW of the azido product may be controlled by including the reaction mixture a basic degradation catalyst (such as LiOCH.sub.3 or NaOH) and varying the amount of catalyst. When the reaction is catalyzed, the MW of the product varies within the range 1,000-40,000 and the hydroxyl functionality is 2-10. Uncatalyzed reactions yield products with MW between 40,000 and 200,000 and a functionality of about 10.

Abstract: A protective system against chemical warfare agents consisting essentially of at least one alkali metal salt of phenol, acetone oxime, acetophenone oxime and 2,3-butanedione monoxime, a macrocycle chosen from 18-crown-6 or cryptand [2,2,2] and a solvent chosen from dioxolane, tetraglyme, dimethoxyethane, a polyethylene glycol or a polyethylene glycol mono- or diether the system also containing just enough water to dissolve the active ingredient. These systems afford protection against mustard gas (H or HD) and against chemical warfare agents of the V and G types.