Abstract: The present invention is a red-light-emitting composition based upon a potassium periodate oxidizer formulation, which is useful as the illuminant in the US military's M662 40 mm red star parachute projectile, and which composition is composed of readily commercially available ingredients—ingredients that are environmentally friendly. Further, the subject inventive potassium periodate formulation provides significant enhanced illumination and safety versus the current military M662 illuminant which is based upon potassium perchlorate oxidizer formulation.

Abstract: An improved armor piercing and pyrotechnic projectile for use in .50? military caliber rounds. Such projectiles contain a core, jacket, a base and a hollow nose housing pyrotechnic mixtures composed of sodium periodate and magnalium. The improved projectiles exhibit increased luminosity, and are non-toxic, safer, and environmentally benign compared to current state-of-the-art projectiles.

Abstract: A yellow smoke composition useful in hand held signals, such as the U.S. Army M194 yellow smoke parachute signal; which composition contains the nontoxic, environmentally safe, quinoline solvent yellow 33 color agent and critically exhibits the requisite dense yellow smoke for the requisite 9 to 18 second burn time upon use. Further, this inventive yellow smoke composition can be used in current metal tubes and in other media, such as biodegradable cardboard tubes.

Abstract: A white star pyrotechnic illuminant composition, useful in US military M127A1 parachuted hand held signals (HHS), which illuminant provides surprisingly enhanced luminous intensity and luminous efficiency versus the current M127A1 U.S. military HHS white star pyrotechnic illuminant. The inventive illuminant formulation includes a mixture of powdered sodium nitrate, magnesium, alkyl polysulfide polymer and a binder; wherein the magnesium and alkyl polysulfide is preferably recovered from the demilitarization of obsolete munitions to realize a significant savings.