Abstract: An ignition system for energetics including artillery charges includes a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency igniter. The radio frequency ignitor receives and converts radio frequency energy into heat or electrical energy for the purpose of igniting energetics, such as propellants or pyrotechnics. The radio frequency igniter may be applied to the exterior of the energetic container or may be integral to the container.

Abstract: A modular artillery charge system module includes a central igniter container and cap end and body end igniter containers fixed to the central igniter container. The central igniter container is a rigid, longitudinal tube with opposing ends. The end igniter containers are fixed to the opposing ends of the central igniter container. Each end igniter container includes a large container portion and a small container portion that extends from the large container portion toward the central igniter container. The central igniter container and end igniter containers are made of a rigid material, such as foamed celluloid.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge for a gun is optically initiated by a mechanism wholly within the cartridge case itself. The case has as optical primer initiation means producing light fluence to ignite a primer, which ignited primer may in turn ignite into a flashtube, and which ignited flashtube may in turn ignite a bed of propellant in said cartridge. The optical primer initiation means may be an LED, a laser diode, a VCSEL, or some other light emitting device in general. The cartridge optically initiated primer package is so sized and made electrically and mechanically seamlessly physically compatible with current ammunition cartridges such that these new cartridges are completely interchangeable.

Abstract: A window assembly for transmitting light into and from a vessel containing a high pressure, high temperature, highly reactive environment includes a truncated conical window which is substantially transparent to radiation, a truncated conical metal seal which circumferentially engages the window, and a case to which the window and the seal are secured. To facilitate automatic cleaning of the window, the surface of the window which is exposed to the high-pressure environment is seated substantially flush with the high-pressure surface of the case. By initially seating the window assembly by means of mechanical pressing, then subjecting the window assembly to a series of successively higher transient combustion pressures, a window assembly can be fabricated which can withstand prolonged service in a harsh environment such as that encountered in a large caliber artillery cannon or equivalent scientific and industrial applications.