Abstract: A self aligning expansible sabot for projection from worm gun tubes without alloting of the sabot pedals due to misalignment and vibration. The sabot consists of three segments pinned together so they move radially in an expanding manner in the worm gun tube without loss of axial alignment. The connection pins allow normal discard of the sabot segments without excessive binding and without independent rotation.

Abstract: Projectiles exist with a stored electrical charge during flight and an elrically energized detonator which activates upon impact. Premature activation in flight, which can be caused by spurious voltage, is eliminated by the addition of a voltage threshold blocking device. Detonator activation will then occur, as intended, by the voltage released upon impact.

Abstract: A rifle mechanism that will automatically fire, from a single barrel, a te-round burst at approximately 4,900 shots per minute (spm) without the use of a round counter, is disclosed. The rifle mechanism includes a cam and follower mechanism. The cam path controls the basic function of the rifle system to obtain the highest rate of fire with minimum operating rod velocities and to provide the ability to fire the three-round bursts without a round counter. The three rounds are loaded simultaneously into a chamber and the chamber is indexed to fire out each round before extraction. This eliminates the need for a full stroke cartridge handling mechanism.

Abstract: A sealed sabot projectile wherein the rear centering ring of the sabot has n opening to expose the projectile tracer material to the propulsion gases. This opening has a seal over it with a small aperture therein for controlled flow of gases to ignite the tracer material yet avoid premature separation of the projectile from the rear spin generating portion of the sabot. The resulting greater spin velocity of the projectile gives it greater accuracy.

Abstract: A gyroscope unit having a horizontal spin axis hangs from a suspension band within a container. The container is rotatably supported about a vertical axis. A transducer generates a control signal representative of the angular displacement between the gyroscope unit and the container about the vertical axis from a reference position. The container is rotated about the vertical axis responsive to the control signal to reduce the angular displacement from the reference position. A torque about the vertical axis that opposes the angular displacement is directly applied to the gyroscope unit responsive to the control signal. The directly applied torque is a nonlinear function of the angular displacement, being zero below a threshold value of angular displacement and having a predetermined gradient above the threshold value.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic signal cartridge comprising a cartridge case, a projectile e detachably secured to the cartridge case, a charge in the cartridge case for launching the projectile case, rocket motor thrust means positioned within the projectile case, a rocket motor propellant charge and a pyrotechnic signal charge in the projectile case, ignition means for the pyrotechnic signal charge and the rocket motor propellant charge whereby ignition of the pyrotechnic signal charge and the rocket motor propellant charge after launching of the projectile case provides a self-levitating pyrotechnic display.