Abstract: This invention relates to a detonator firing circuit comprising a control unit and a plurality of detonator circuits. The detonator circuits are arranged to simultaneously receive a "fire" signal and the fire signal initiates all the delay arrangements to allow different groups of detonators to detonate at different times in accordance with a predetermined firing program. In the present invention each detonator circuit has a code individual thereto and the control unit can control and transmit information to every detonator circuit, including the delay to be imparted to the detonator circuit. The identification code for each detonator circuit is preferably one of a large number of identification codes so that the likelihood of the two detonator circuits having the same identification code and having the same firing circuit is extremely small.

Abstract: A radar system (10) uses independent, adaptive modulation controls for the local oscillators (16, 40) in the transmitter (24) and receiver (26) portions. The adaptive modulation enables the radar to filter out any repeater jammer signal while maintaining a good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the target. The radar system (10) provides a SNR that is sensitive to the target range and minimizes the SNR at the jammer range and maximizes the SNR at the target range. A communication system (60) similarly uses independent, adaptive modulation controls (66, 84) to provide a communication system resistant to jamming.

Abstract: An attitude sensing safing system for a missile, which senses an attitude ror of the missile, and activates a dudding signal when the error exceeds a certain value for a predetermined time. The missile includes a delay arming timer, which is deactivated when by the dudding signal. The system allows the missile to correct itself, by requiring that the error signals persist for a set time.

Abstract: An arming and safing system for a missile having an acceleration responsive mechanism for actuating a timing device upon launching to insure arming only after the passage of a predetermined period of time, and an omnidirectional impact switch for activating a dudding switch in case of missile impact at a distance less than a minimum safe distance from the launching vehicle.

Abstract: A desensitized firing circuit has a pair of diodes, a resistor, and a sevble wire loop used in combination with an existing firing circuit. With the severable wire loop intact, current flow through the resistor is shunted to ground, and the circuit operates in a sensitive mode. With the loop severed, current flows through the resistor and one of the diodes to the base of an input switching transistor, thereby maintaining this transistor in a conductive state until a sufficiently large and properly shaped negative input signal is received.

Abstract: The invention concerns a firearm for receiving and firing a projectile. The firearm includes an integral casing having a barrel and a breech block receiving area to the rear of the barrel. A breech block is guided through the breech block receiving area by separated guide pins which project from the breech block into respective longitudinal track sections in the barrel. The guide pins are axially separated at opposite ends of the breech block and are circumferentially separated. The longitudinal track sections meet circumferential track sections. The guide pins in the circumferential track sections permit the breech block to be rotated. The breech block has a forward closed barrel position and a rearward open loading position. A breech mount around the breech block has a cam slot that extends longitudinally and into which a cam follower pin from the breech block projects. The breech mount is drawn forward by a spring and driven rearwardly by the gas pressure from detonation of a projectile leaving the barrel.

Abstract: A gating circuit for a missile guidance system having a capacitor for supplying the output signal together with a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers for applying or removing a supply voltage to the capacitor.

Abstract: A guidance monitoring safety system for a guided missile having platform os and electromechanical integrators with inputs from a guidance information analyzer. The system monitors malfunctions resulting from erratic or unsafe missile flight either dudding the missile if any malfunctions are present or providing a safe-to-arm fuzing signal in the absence of malfunctions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a plasma generation device particularly adapted to an electrothermal-chemical propulsion system. The device comprises a membranous conductive substance having structural compositions which enable the formation of a continuous and volumetrically distributed, segmentally varied plasma arc. The membranous substance is versatile and operates, inter alia, as a fuse wire, plasma incubator, plasma container, plasma distributor, plasma infusion and permeation media as well as a fuel container.

Abstract: An arming system for a missile which prevents destruction of the missile side of a specified area. The missile may be launched from a submarine, and follow a water-air-trajectory, and includes a variable-range timer acting in conjunction with an impact detection system. The timer drives arming switches to the armed condition after a predetermined time, and then opens the switches after a second predetermined time, which establishes a maximum range for detonation of the missile warhead.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a low cost and highly accurate precision guided system suitable for use in conventional aircraft launched bombs. The system includes a kit mounted upon the nose of the conventional bomb which replaces the conventional fuse disposed in a fuse well, the kit including guidance electronics controlling a self-contained jet reaction device and GPS P-code receiver electronics. The bombs are readied for discharge by radio frequency signals broadcast from the aircraft into the bomb bay which transfer initial GPS data and commence operation of a gas generator which powers the jet reaction device.

Abstract: A seeker head comprises a seeker for scanning field of view and a gyro assembly sensing attitude variations. Signal processing means process information from two consecutive scans of the seeker. The signals from the gyro assembly are applied to a coordinate transformer circuit, which transforms the picture information from consecutive scans into a common intertial coordinate system. A target is selected by target selection logic. The coordinates of a selected target are read into a deviation memory. The signal processing means provide the inertial sight line rate of the sight line to a selected target. After each scanning and signal processing cycle the location is computed at which the target is to be expected according to the sight line rate measured during the preceding cycle. This permits comparison of target signals in consecutive scans even with moving targets, recovery of temporarily lost targets and discrimination between actual targets, such as an aircraft, and mocktargets, such as flares.

Abstract: A muzzle-loading firearm having a breech loading receiver including a locking mechanism movable between an open position and a locked position; a barrel having a breech end engaging the receiver and a bore extending from the barrel's breech end; and a firing module receiving plug positioned within the barrel's breech, the plug including a chamber axially aligned with the barrel bore to receive an ejectable firing module having an igniter within a chamber.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a semiautomatic firearm whereby a spring loaded hammer strut acting through a lever system puts a light pressure to hold a sear in a locked position and whereby recoil after firing causes the sear to return to a locked position before release of firing pressure on a trigger through action of the lever system and a trigger reset system; a trigger pull spring acting to return said trigger reset system to firing position after pressure is released on the trigger.

Abstract: A front rail assembly includes first and second front rails extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle. Each rail includes a front end, and comprises inner and outer rail members having substantially C-shaped cross-sections which are welded together to form the front rails. First and second plates are secured, respectively, within the first and second rails between the respective inner and outer rail members. The plates span the length of the first and second rails for improved energy absorption characteristics as a result of the double-box section formed.

Abstract: The flight vehicle includes an elongated central body having a central axis defined therein and a circumference. A plurality of elongated portions are positioned about the central body. A plurality of airbreathing engines are axisymetrically positioned about the central axis of the central body and between the respective elongated portions. Each flowpath includes a forebody, an inlet, an isolator duct, a combustor, a nozzle, and a mechanism for injecting fuel into the combustor. The forebody externally compresses the air flow. The inlet is downstream of the forebody to capture air flow. The isolator duct is downstream of the inlet to further reduce velocity of the air flow. The combustor is downstream of the isolator duct and finally, the nozzle is downstream of the combustor. The fuel/air mixture is burned in the combustor and expanded in the nozzle for providing thrust. A control mechanism is positioned about the central body for providing control of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotting ifle with a top-mounted electrically fired rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotting rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the rifle. The rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotting round and the electrically fired rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotting rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: The retro-encoded guidance system guides a flying object in its flight tod its destination by measuring and correcting the angular displacement of its actual trajectory from the straight line-of-sight to the destination. A beam of infrared light emanating from a beacon on the flying object is received and angularly encoded by retro-encoder located at the launcher prior to being returned to the missile. The incident beam and returned beam travel on optical paths that are parallel to each other but opposite in direction. The angular encoding is achieved by a reticle of the retro-encoder imparting frequency modulation to the incident beam, the degree and phase of the modulation depending on the location on the reticle on which the beam is incident.

Abstract: An ignition element (106) for heating temperature sensitive ignitable material (86) in an air bag inflator comprises an electrically conductive first material layer (142). An electrically conductive second material layer (144) has a portion (146) spaced from and overlying a portion (148) of the first material layer (142). A lossy dielectric material (180) is disposed between the overlying portions (146, 148) of the first and second material layers (142, 144). A high frequency alternating electric field is applied to the first and second material layers (142, 144). The temperature sensitive material (86) is located adjacent the ignition element (106). The temperature of the dielectric material (180) increases to a temperature sufficient to cause ignition of the temperature sensitive material (86) in response to the application of the high frequency alternating electric field to the dielectric material.

Abstract: A forwardly-rotatable, driven-drum, land mine clearing tool has a plurality of robust, easily-repairable tool spokes extending radially from the outer surface of the drum. The land mine clearing tool is connected to the front end of a tracked vehicle and is operatively raised and lowered from the tracked vehicle. The drum and tool spokes engage the earth of a land mine field in a milling action, which grinds and destroys some land mines while triggering detonation of other land mines.