Abstract: A projectile is adapted to be launched from a barrel. The projectile incls a tubular housing and a structural member. The tubular housing has a forward inlet throat and aft nozzle. An annular layer of solid fuel combustible material is mounted within the housing between the inlet throat and nozzle. The structural member is detachably mounted over the nozzle. The structural member is sized to cover the nozzle so that pressurized gas applied to the structural member forwardly thrusts the housing. Thus, the projectile is gun-launchable and can produce a ramjet action.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted weapons control system has forward feed provided by a stepping motor drive system under the control of an analog controller without feedback from the weapons system. The controller includes a ballistic computer to produce outputs of train and elevation rates and stabilization means that includes means to modify the aforesaid rates to counteract vehicle disturbances and means to provide stabilization train and elevation rate signals which combine with the ballistic computer outputs to produce analog signals for use in controlling the rate of pulses generated in the stepping motor drives.

Abstract: A fuzeless annular wing projectile composed of a tubular projectile body having essentially smooth interior and exterior cylindrical faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the body, and a guide band mounted on the body with the body being formed and/or treated to exhibit desired break locations in the region of at least one face and at least at a location between the front end of the body and the location of the guide band.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a thin-walled, elongated member having superior strength properties from an age hardenable copper base alloy is described herein. A slug or billet of a slurry cast, age hardenable copper base alloy is formed into a semi-solid slurry having about 10% to about 30% of the alloy in a liquid phase. The semi-solid slurry is then thixoforged to form the thin-walled, elongated member. Thereafter, the member is age hardened to provide a product having desired strength properties. The process and apparatus of the instant invention may be utilized to form cartridge casings.

Abstract: A partially combustible propellant charge igniter in which combustible ignition-conducting tubes can be more advantageously separated. The igniter includes a metallic bottom piece accommodating an igniter charge therein, a centrally arranged ignition gas guide chamber in communication with the igniter charge for guiding ignition gas therefrom and a combustible ignition-conducting tube accommodating a propagation charge. The ignition-conducting tube is inserted into the bottom piece and extends outwardly therefrom with the propagation charge being arranged in the region of the ignition-conducting tube which extends outwardly from the bottom piece.

Abstract: The invention is an improved area multiplier for use in munitions launching aboted sub-caliber projectiles. The improved area multiplier not only provides the increased area required to reduce sabot base stresses to acceptable levels, but it has a novel and unique structure that improves and assures uniform spin to the projectile. The area multiplier consists of a disc-like portion having a centrally located aperture therein, and a plurality of triangular-like projections affixed to one face of the disc-like portion. The areas between the triangular-like projections serve to lock the area multiplier to the sabot after molding and the sharp edges of and at the apex of the triangular-like projections serve to engage the projectile base during launch to prevent slippage within the sabot and thereby impart a uniform spin to the projectile upon launching.

Abstract: Cartridge ammunition is provided comprising a subcaliber shall, a sabot attached to the shell, and a propellant case including a cartridge cover connected with a catch to the sabot. The cartridge cover is bulge-like bent and comprises spring parts protruding toward the axis and is formed conjugated to the positive adapted surfaces of the sabot concentrically surrounding the shell. Preferably slots are disposed at the spring parts protruding toward the axis of the bulge-like bent cartridge cover and the slots are preferably distributed uniformly over the circumference of the center end of the cartridge cover.

Abstract: A cartridge for use with a revolver, automatic or submachine gun which includes a casing having a substantially linear outer wall, a transition bevel at one end of the casing which terminates in an extractor groove area, the groove area is connected to a base which includes an annular rim, a primer pocket extending through the base which communicates with an interior of the casing through a flash hole, the interior including a powder charge area having a planar bottom wall extending radially outwardly from the flash hole and terminates in a substantially elliptical section, the elliptical section communicating with an end opposed to the bevel of the casing through a sloped wall and thereafter a further neck section which is adapted to receive the bullet therewithin, this last neck section being of uniform thickness and substantially parallel to the outer casing, so that upon combustion and discharging of the bullet, a thickened wall is provided along the base of the cartridge, the thickness tapering in a spec

Abstract: A gas actuated cartridge, which is smokeless, flashless and noiseless in ration, contains a novel pusher cup of elastic material, such as butyl rubber. The pusher cup is folded back within itself and contains an exterior annular flange which fits into a groove in the bore of the cartridge case. A closure plug containing the propellant charge is threadably attached to the bore of the cartridge case and engages the interior of the cup in the flange portion to seal and anchor the cup in the bore. The elastic cup can propel a projectile by the unfolding action of the cup, and expands without rupture to contain the propellant gases and contracts when the volume of the gases reduces on cooling, whereby the cup shrinks back from the wall of the gun barrel and, hence, can be readily removed from the barrel.

Abstract: In a sabot projectile, a projectile core is held fast in a sabot. To the outside of the sabot a hood engaging over the projectile core is secured. To obtain a tight seal of the hood on the sabot by simple measures, particularly without a thread, the shell of the hood is designed with a sealing rim applying against a smooth annular zone of the sabot. Webs of the hood extend beyond the sealing rim. On their free ends, they are provided with inwardly projecting snap noses which engage a recess of the sabot.

Abstract: The invention is a process and device for storing to and then releasing a cylindrical object from a vehicle.The system according to the invention consists of a cylindrical container 1 inside which a cylindrical object 2 is placed. Container 1 has a fixed rear cap 6, an inflatable bladder 11, a disc 12 interposed between the inflatable bladder 11 and the object to be released 2, a compartment for the object to be released 2 and an ejectable cap 7 containing a locking device 8 which can be unlocked by the impact of a firing pin 9.One application of the instant invention is the release at sea, of buoys, markers, containers offering assistance to the shipwrecked or any other similar cylindrical object.

Abstract: A projectile for a smooth bore gun includes a metal bullet, substantially de of lead, and a wad-flight control element of plastic material. The bullet is constituted by a metal body provided with an ogive with centering fins and comprises one or more cylindrical segments. The wad-flight control element comprises a container, connected to the bullet and containing the same, an amortizing portion and a cup for sealing off propellant gases. The amortizing portion and the sealing cup act to control the projectile during flight.

Abstract: An ammunition round for an artillery gun comprises, as an armor piercing nd, an outer tubular disposable sabot and an inner projectile which are joined by interlocking means to join them until exiting from the gun muzzle and separates them in ballistic flight. The interlocking means comprises left-handed threads and right-handed threads; both directions of threads being on both the inner wall of the sabot and the outer wall of the projectile. In one embodiment the two directions of threads are on axially tandem sections and in another embodiment they are on the same section, to form a herringbone pattern with raised diamond-shaped protrusions.

Abstract: An electrodynamic transducer has broadband operation and is suitable for erwater use. The transducer has a flexible rubber seal to assist in keeping the unit watertight. New features include a large flared air passage, a coil of wire that is rectangular in cross section and is routed through the center of a hollow centering shaft. In addition, a piston is machined out of beryllium copper with the piston attached to the shaft at the dome center and the skirt spider center. The transducer is designed to operate with the magnet having its outer pole piece in contact with the seawater.

Abstract: A cartridge with firing actuation of the payload comprises a case solid with a case bottom which houses a threaded member constituting an ejection nozzle, and in front of the latter a missile provided with a delay ignition chain interrupted at the level of a transversally movable slide which comes into fire transmission position only after a predetermined delay. The cartridge has in addition a striker device actuated on impact so as to ignite the delay firing chain on impact, and a stabilizer device ensuring an axial deceleration permitting the satisfactory operation of the striker on impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophones which require liquid backing of the sensing plate, and more particularly, to compliance enhancing means for use in such hydrophones. In a practical embodiment, in which a compliant sensing plate in the form of a thin diaphragm is employed, liquid backing of the sensing plate is provided to balance the hydrostatic pressure across the sensing plate. To increase the compliance of the hydrophone, reduced by the presence of the backing oil, and to do so in a linear manner, a bellows is introduced into the backing chamber having the desired compliance and pressure rating. The invention is applicable to hydrophones having either compliant or stiff sensing plates. An improvement in hydrophone linearity and sensitivity is obtainable over a significant range of hydrostatic pressures.

Abstract: A new aerial bomb for uses such as scaring birds and other such creatures away from airport runways, farmer's fields, and the like, is disclsoed. When detonated in a shotgun, the aerial bomb provides two reports; the first occurring when the propelling powder in the shotgun shell is ignited, and the second occuring when the ignited projectile bomb explodes several seconds later. A unique fuse is provided such that no physical connection is necessary in the shotgun shell between the propellant powder and the explosive projectile fuse. Furthermore, the casing of the shell is provided with visual observation means and the projectile is provided with position indicator means, so that the fully assembled aerial bomb may be readily inspected to verify proper installation of the projectile in the casing.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for separating solid residues from gases generated by a charge cartridge having a gas discharged end and used in a final pyrotechnic regulatory unit. The device includes a casing having a recess therein and a bottom end face. The cartridge is mounted in the casing with its discharged end facing the bottom end of the casing to define a first passage. A sleeve is positioned in the recess between the cartridge and the casing to define a second passage communicating with the first passage. The first and second passages are lined with ribs or threads extending transversely to the flow direction of the gas in the passages.

Abstract: This invention relates to the safety of ammunitions.The projectile of a cartridge has a base which houses a safety stop consisting of a transversely slidable valve. A device ensures that the valve cannot be released until the projectile has been subjected to a powerful acceleration. Another safety device very advantageously ensures that the pyrotechnical chain inserted in the base functions only when the pressure of the ejection charge has been able to release a sealing-block.In particular, the invention may be applied to infra red window releasing cartridges.

Abstract: An optical grating hydrophone employs a dual grating construction and two pairs of optical fibers to provide a reliable output signal without the need for mechanically adjusting the system bias. A bias compensation circuit selects the output signal to be received based upon the output signals from the two optical cable pairs.