Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile having a caliber of less than 13 mm, comprising a bullet jacket defining a cavity and a position transmitter arranged in the cavity.

Abstract: The fuse mode of a laser guided munition is remotely set and/or changed by encoding fuse mode information onto fuse mode designating light received by the light detector of the munition. Embodiments do not require hardware modification of existing munitions and/or control systems. The mode designating light can be the target designating laser light, and the fuse mode information can be encoded together with counter counter measure (CCM) information. Or the mode designating light source can be a separate laser or non-laser light source. Encoding of the fuse mode information can be by modulation and/or wavelength selection of the mode designating light. In embodiments, the fuse mode can be selected before and/or after launch of the munition.

Abstract: A method for operating a guided munition with a switchable fuze arrangement includes launching the guided munition towards a target. During flight of the guided munition, images are provided to a remote operator, who supplies a switching input. Responsive to said switching input, the fuze arrangement is switched to either of at least two of the following states: a delayed detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is delayed by a time delay after impact of the guided munition, an impact detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge occurs on impact of the guided munition, a proximity detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is triggered by a proximity sensing arrangement, and a disabled state in which the guided munition functions as a guided kinetic shell without detonation of the explosive charge.

Abstract: A rotational variable pyrotechnic delay selector for munitions which permits the selection of various ignition delays. Advantageously, the variable delay selector is configurable for a variety of field conditions and targets and is adaptable to a number of munitions systems and pyrotechnic ignition mixtures and delays.

Abstract: A system that guides an airborne weapon toward a target, in order for the weapon to fuze at the target, so as to increase the probability of kill of the target. The system uses a lethality database that lists the various vulnerabilities for each target so that the weapon may fuze at a point that achieves maximum exploitation of the vulnerabilities. The system continually updates during weapon fly out in order to continually update the best achievable aim point for the weapon based on the changing encounter geometry between weapon and target.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of ammunition types to be used against a wide set of targets. At least two explosive charges are made use of in cooperation. Each of the explosive charges has changeable characteristics and is arranged to mutually cooperate in different ways depending on the particular changeable characteristics given to the explosive charges in a specific case and the type of target to be combated. An ammunition device admitting a reduction of the amount of ammunition types to be used. At least two cooperating explosive charges are arranged in a row along the direction of movement of the ammunition device when activated. Each of the explosive charges is switchable between at least two operating conditions having different operating characteristics.

Abstract: A power indicating setter system monitors the power level of a fuze setter coil of a fuze setter system for a gun operable to fire inductively-fuzed shells. The fuze setter system transmits a carrier signal that induces magnetic field power in the fuze setter coil. The strength of the magnetic field power correlates to reliability of the fuze setter system to transmit fuzing data to the shells. The fuze setter coil induces a signal in an adjacent induction element. Circuitry, coupled to the induction element, operates to compare the signal to a calibrated signal produced by the circuitry. The circuitry, by a power indicator, functions to indicate to an operator when the value of the signal is greater than the calibrated value. The power indicator indicates during operation of the gun, thereby informing the operator of the reliability of the fuze setter system to transmit fuzing data to the shells.

Abstract: An electronic safe arm & fire (ESAF) device has a common module and a pair of programmable devices that are readily configurable to different missile types. The ESAF device has a first static arming switch that is controlled by the first programmable device and a second static arming switch that is controlled by the second programmable device. The ESAF device has a firing module that has an exploding foil initiator. The common module and the firing module can be configured as a standalone module in close proximity to a warhead or can be integrated into a warhead. The common module has some inputs that are used by all the missiles in a group for the same signals; some inputs that are used by all the missiles, but for different signals; and, some inputs that are used by some of the missile, but not by all of the missiles. The common module has an input port for a separation signal, a communications port for a fuze data signal, and an input port for a signal that can be used to determine safe separation.

Abstract: A process for the in-flight programming of a trigger time for an element of a projectile by a fire control system of a weapon, wherein the muzzle velocity (Vo) of the projectile is measured and the distancing velocity of the projectile at at least one other point during its trajectory after exiting the weapon barrel it measured. Based on these measured values an optimal trigger time is determined for the element so as to minimize the difference between the actual ground impact point and the desired ground impact point for the projectile or for a payload released during the payload's trajectory, and a programming or corrective programming is transmitted to the projectile which takes this optimal trigger time into account.

Abstract: In a weapons system of the type in which a round having a case is fired from a gun, the round including a fuze processor, the round further made up of a firing circuit having a resistor and also having two contacts in the case of the round, the gun having two contacts which contact the two contacts of the round when the round is in the gun and ready to fire, the gun being fired by applying a voltage in excess of a certain threshold to the contacts of the round via the contacts of the gun, the weapons system including a fire control system outside the gun.

Abstract: A method for contactless inductive transmission of programming data to a programmable time fuse included in a shell for a single shot, semi-automatic, or fully automatic shell firing barrel weapon. While the shell is situated in a cartridge chamber of a barrel of the weapon, data is transmitted to the programmable time fuse from a programming device of the weapon via a transmitting coil arranged around the cartridge chamber of the barrel to a receiving coil arranged in the shell. At least a part of the barrel lying between the coils is replaced by a non-magnetic material and designed so that it does not form an electrically conductive short circuited layer that would prevent transmission between the coils.

Abstract: A shell-firing barrel weapon system for a single shot, semi-automatic or fully automatic firing, including a rifled barrel comprising a programming member for programming with programming pulses fuses in shells fired from the weapon before or in conjunction with firing of the shells. At least one contact is located in the barrel of the weapon and connected to the programming member for transmitting a programming pulse from the programming member to the fuses of the shells. The at least one contact is electrically insulated from the barrel and protrudes into the barrel beyond bars of rifling of the barrel. An electrically conductive contact ring is concentrically arranged on the shells. The contact ring is electrically insulated from main parts of the shells and has an external diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the bars of the rifling of the barrel.

Abstract: A penetrating, dual-mode warhead having soft target, surface burst mode and a hard target, penetrating mode is provided. The warhead has a cylindri outer fragmenting shell which contains an explosive surround. A long-rod penetrator with an explosive payload is located within the outer fragmenting shell. By arming selection prior to launch, the warhead can be configured for the surface burst mode which uses proximity sensor to initiate the outer shell explosive. The outer shell initiates the penetrator payload thereby detonating both explosives and fragmenting both the shell and penetrator casing. In the penetrating mode, the outer shell is stripped away on impact but is initiated just as the penetrator exits the shell. By this method the penetrator remains undamaged, but the outer shell nevertheless detonates to engage any surface targets. The penetrator continues into the hardened target, detonating on either a void sensor or on timing, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: The invention concerns projectiles having an explosive load generating splinter and/or a core and of which the operation is triggered by a fuse. This projectile is characterized in that the load comprises at least one direction of action and in that the fuse comprises at least one detector detecting laser radiation reflected by a target, said detector comprising a direction of detection which is close to one of the directions of action of the load.

Abstract: A fuse plug pyrotechnic firing device includes a body, a pyrotechnic train, firing pin and a driving device. The body has an axis and a bore disposed along the axis. The pyrotechnic train is disposed along the axis and includes an upper part and a lower part. The firing pin has a firing pin axis and is disposed within the bore between the upper part and the lower part. The firing pin is also disposed to ignite the lower part. The driving device is coupled to the firing pin and to the upper part. The driving device drives the firing pin to move along the firing pin axis and to ignite the lower part, the firing pin rotating about the firing pin axis under pressure of gases generated by the ignition of the lower part. As a result, safe and effective operation of the fuse plug pyrotechnic firing device is ensured.

Abstract: A programmable munitions device (10) includes a transponder unit (12), a digital interface (18), and munitions unit (20). The transponder unit (12) receives a radio frequency signal from an interrogation unit (22). The transponder unit (12) decodes the radio frequency signal to obtain the digital data representing the transmitted information from the interrogation unit (22). The information is stored within a memory (14) and initiates the start of a time period within a timing unit (16). Upon activation, the munitions unit (20) reads the information within the memory (14) and a timing flag within the timing unit (16) through the digital interface (18). If the timing flag is set, indicating that the information within memory (14) is still fresh, munitions unit (20) causes the detonation of explosive material if the recognized event corresponds to the triggering event programmed within the memory (14).

Abstract: A system for programming the function mode of a munition fuze without supplying electrical power to the fuze includes an arrangement of programmable elements located internally of the munition that are electrically conductive but which remain electrically unpowered until after munition firing, and a programming mechanism located externally of the munition being operable to mechanically program the conductive elements. The programmable elements are a series of concentric bands attached to the interior of the munition casing and spaced from one another along the munition axis and separated from casing wall by an electrically insulating layer. The programming mechanism is a plurality of punch heads aligned with the concentric bands and capable of being actuated such that only selected ones of the punch heads strike the exterior of the munition casing causing an indentation in the casing that penetrates the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the selected ones of the concentric bands.

Abstract: A time delay mechanism force fuze wherein the mechanism comprising an encoder ring, having an inner surface with a predetermined mask pattern of lands and grooves, is locked by a spring lock exerting pressure in a radially outward motion, thus enhanced when the fuze is exposed to the influence of dynamic forces from a gun, is shown. The spring lock cooperates with a lock pin such that a radially inward deflection of the lock pin deflects the spring lock so that the encoder ring with a reaction surface is unlocked and can be fully rotated by a setting collar acting through a detent spring on the reaction surface. If the encoder ring is locked, the detent spring is deflected over the reaction surface of the encoder ring when the setting collar is rotated, thereby preventing the encoder ring from being changed. A plurality of actuators, which determines a digital word that represents a length of time for a time delay in a digital timing circuit for the fuze, is actuated by the predetermined mask pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device enabling the selective, simultaneous triggering of high energy detonators, using no sensitive pyrotechnical device, such as exploding wire detonators or slappers. The device comprises, for each of the detonators, an electrical triggering chain comprising a capacitor used to deliver energy sufficient to trigger each of the detonators. It comprises a single energy source generating a pulse and a single switch to apply the pulse to each electrical triggering chain. Means to inactivate the corresponding chain are applied before the commutation of the switch so as to make those detonators that are not to be triggered inoperative.

Abstract: This portable munition system has multiple modes of operation with the sensor inputs, output actuator circuits, and timing requirements determined by the control electronics. A self-check is performed initially before the munition can be armed. An indicator light driven by the electronics circuitry provides status information to the operator. The warhead can be aimed with integral sights.

Abstract: In a fuse for projectiles, a timing ring is mounted rotatably around the longitudinal axis of the fuse, whereby the ignition time or the ignition delay time may be set. To resist rotation of the set timing ring, the timing ring is secured by means of a friction system comprising a friction ring with a friction nut abutting against it. By screwing-down the friction nut, a frustoconical outer surface of the friction nut bears against a frustoconical inner surface of the friction ring to increase the resistance to rotation of the friction ring and thus the timing ring.

Abstract: A mortar shell time fuse of the type which consists of a body and a head, and characterized because it is comprised of:(a) a secondary mass floating upon a return spring in a hole in the body;(b) means for holding the secondary mass at rest;(c) a gear train subjected to the action of a torsion spring and linked at rest with the secondary mass, and comprised of:(c.sub.1) means of retarding its rotation.(c.sub.2) means for the restraining and releasing of:(d) a shell holder with a rotation shaft subject to the action of a torsion spring.

Abstract: A system for manually setting a timing value of an electronic fuze for an artillery projectile prior to firing without tools or electric power, and for displaying the set timing value in standard decimal format. Two adjacent setting rings, disposed about the outside of the fuze housing, are interconnected together with the housing so that one ring rotates with the other ring when the other ring is manually rotated in one direction about the housing axis, but is prevented from rotating when the other ring is rotated in an opposite direction about the housing axis. Each ring carries a plurality of numbers disposed about its outer periphery such that one of the numbers is axially aligned with an indication mark on the fuze housing at each setting of the ring. The two series of numbers are oriented laterally so that the two numbers aligned with the indication mark constitute the desired timing value.

Abstract: Apparatus for setting and/or monitoring the operation of an electronic fuse for shells to be fired from a gun, by transmitting a microwave data signal and a microwave energy signal to a device inside the fuse from a device outside the fuse, the device inside the fuse including an energy receiver with a rectifier for generating a supply voltage, a data receiver, a data processing unit and a fuse electronic system, and the device outside the fuse including an energy transmitter, an input/output unit and a data transmitter, including means for disposing the device outside the fuse so that the transmission of the microwave signals occurs at the latest during loading of the shell carrying the fuse into the gun; means for transmitting the energy signal and the data signal together and simultaneously; a reply signal transmitter additionally included in the device inside the fuse; a reply signal receiver additionally included in the device outside the fuse; the data-signal transmitting means and the reply signal tran

Abstract: A device for transmitting signals to a fuse (1), comprising a magnetic circuit and three non-magnetic circuits. The magnetic circuit comprises a coil (5) for transmitting an energy signal which will be recovered by a coil (3) inside the fuse. The three non-magnetic circuits comprise infrared emitter receiver cells mounted on supports (12, 13, 14) outside the fuse, and on supports (6, 7, 8) inside the fuse. These cells respectively co-operate for emitting and receiving information carrying signals, which are thus separate from the energy signal.

Abstract: A device for transmitting signals to a projectile fuse (1) by induction comprises a coil (5) for emitting an energy signal picked-up by a coil (3) inside the fuse. This coil (3) is wound on a first magnetic core (2). A second magnetic core (6) carries three receptive coils for information carrying signals. This information is emitted by three coils (19,20,21).This arrangement permits separating the transmission of the energy signals on the one hand and the information carriers on the other hand.

Abstract: In a combination fuze for missiles comprising a current generator which is driven by a ram air operated means having ram air supplied through an inlet in the nose portion of the missile and supplying electric energy to an electric firing circuit which comprises an electric detonator and means adapted to detonate the electric detonator before the missile reaches the target, and comprising a mechanical percussion switch adapted to cause detonation of the missile upon impingement of the missile against the target, the mechanical percussion switch comprises a sting sensitive detonator surrounded by a metal foil and a firing needle which is included in the electric firing circuit. Upon impact the relative movement between the firing needle and the sting sensitive detonator induces such a circuit configuration of the firing circuit that triggering of the electric detonator will take place.

Abstract: A fuze for projectiles having electronic circuitry therein for receiving radiated signals having a fusible link connected to the electronic circuitry for altering the operation of the electronic circuitry and a threshold detector for sensing the rupture of the link to place the fuze in a first mode of operation when the link is ruptured prior to firing of the projectile and in a second mode of operation when the link is ruptured within a predetermined time period subsequent to firing of the projectile.

Abstract: This is a new point-detonating fuze for spin-stabilized munitions. The fuze has three modules housed in a two-piece body, designed to optimize the penetration capability and to adjust the weight of the fuze. The upper body carries the point-detonating module which has a double-initiation feature, designed to function on impact against the target but preventing detonation on impact against rain droplets and against the foliage of wooded areas. The explosion, initiated at the top of the point-detonating module, is propagated by a mild-detonating fuze, first axially inside the shaft of the point-detonating module, then axially through the time-delay module, to reach the detonator in the safing-and-arming module. The point-detonating module acts as a selector designed to provide either a super-quick function or a time-delay function with several time-delay options. The desired choice is made by rotating the moving portion of the time-delay module to one of several pre-indexed positions.

Abstract: Electric circuitry for fuze mode selection and safe and arm function in an nti-ship guided missile is disclosed. Circuitry provides optional proximity fuze selection, and automatic proximity fuze lockout in case of direct target impact. Target proximity encounter results in instantaneous warhead detonation while direct target impact results in delayed warhead detonation to provide time for target penetration.

Abstract: Dual-mode capability is provided in a warhead initiation system having an itiation transfer assembly and two, end booster plates. The initiation transfer assembly comprises five, separate lines of mild detonating cord (MDC) swaged together at one end in an acceptor manifold. Two MDCs of equal length terminate at each of the booster plates and the fifth, shorter MDC is directed to the center of the aft booster plate via an initiation mode selector which controls detonation propagation along this cord.The safety and arming mechanism of the warhead ignites the acceptor manifold, causing simultaneous initiation of the five MDCs. In the normal mode, a launch signal causes the initiation mode selector to extend a control barrier across the path of the shorter, fifth MDC to prevent faster propagation of detonation to the aft booster plate, thus resulting in dual-ended initiation of the warhead when both end plates are simultaneously ignited by the equal-length MDCs.