Abstract: A fireworks launcher assembly can include a sleeve having a cavity defined therethrough, and a firing tube at least partially received within in the cavity of the sleeve. The firing tube can comprising a passage defined therethrough and plurality of rifling features defined about an interior surface thereof. The plurality of rifling features can cause one or more aerial shells loaded into and launched from the firing tube to rotate as the one or more aerial shells move along the firing tube during launching thereof. A wadding insert further can be received at least partially within the passage of the firing tube, and a base portion can be connected to a lower end of the firing tube to maintain the launching assembly in a generally upright orientation before, during, and/or after launching of the one or more aerial shells therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shell (1) comprising a shell casing (2), a detonator (3), a payload (4), a shell base (5) and a separation charge (6) intended for ejection of the payload (4) and the shell base (5) from the shell (1) over a target area. The invention is characterized in that the shell base (5), following separation from the shell (1), can be divided into smaller parts which are harmless for the environment.

Abstract: A muzzle-loaded, fin-stabilized mortar round includes a projectile with a discarding sabot mounted thereon. The sabot includes one or more discrete sections that are circumferentially divided into a plurality of discrete sabot increments. In the case of more than one discrete section, the plurality of discrete sections are arranged longitudinally one after another in abutting relationship. Each sabot increment includes a base portion mechanically connected to the projectile and two opposing side portions mechanically connected to circumferentially adjacent sabot increments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an increment charge (4) to be placed around a tail shaft of a fin-stabilized mortar projectile (1), the increment charge (4) having a centrally located space for the tail shaft and a mounting opening in the space for mounting the increment charge (4). On the opposite side of the increment charge (4) there is provided a protrusion that fits into the mounting opening of an adjacent increment charge (4) for locking them in relation to each other.

Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.

Abstract: A projectile, such as a mortar projectile, includes a self-discarding or self-consumable propelling charge holder. A self-discarding propelling charge holder is made up of multiple segments. The propelling charge holder is maintained in place during launch by an igniter holder, and by folding fins of the projectile. The propelling charge increments are consumed during the launch process. After launch, as the folding fins deploy, the segments of the propelling charge holder separate from each other and from the remainder of the projectile, and the igniter holder is forcibly removed from the propelling charge holder segments. Alternatively, the propelling charge holder may be self-consumable, being made of a material that is consumed along with the propelling charge increments.

Abstract: A protector for propelling charge increments on a mortar shell includes a semi-cylindrical body, the semi-cylindrical body arranged around a bottom and sides of the charge increments; two generally horseshoe shaped end plates attached to a front and a rear of the semi-cylindrical body, the end plates defining openings therein, the tail tube of the mortar fitting in the opening in each end plate, the charge increments being disposed between the two end plates; a wedge-shaped boom attached to the rear end plate, the wedge-shaped boom fitting between two fins on the fin portion of the mortar shell; a stop tab attached to a rear end of the wedge-shaped boom, the stop tab extending substantially perpendicular to a narrow side of the wedge-shaped boom to contact an end of the fin portion thereby minimizing longitudinal motion of the charge increments; and a nose cone attached at the front of the semi-cylindrical body, the nose cone defining an opening at its front end, the middle portion of the mortar shell fitting

Abstract: A non-lethal payload delivery assembly for use with a launching device having a non-lethal payload releasably contained in a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly being openable upon application of a deploying force to deploy the non-lethal payload after the carrier assembly and the non-lethal payload are launched as a unit from the launching device. An openable sabot assembly releasably contains the carrier assembly during before and during launch. The sabot assembly configured to absorb launch forces that exceed the strength of the carrier assembly alone independent of the sabot assembly. A payload deployment system connected to the carrier assembly is activatable after separation of the carrier unit from the sabot assembly following launch. The payload deployment system opens the carrier assembly for deployment of the non-lethal payload away from the carrier assembly and before reaching the target.

Abstract: A high mass flow pyrotechnic gas generator in the aft end of a hard target penetrating warhead generates hot gases during penetration into a chemical or biological manufacturing or storage facility. This device will act to place neutralizing gases in and near the entry hole made in the target where viable infectious agents are most likely to be dispersed early in the warhead event before the operation of the main warhead charge. The gas generating material, which may be similar to a composite solid propellant, will produce very hot gases preferably containing hydrogen chloride and vapor phase moisture or other chemical sanitizing material. The combination acts as a neutralizer to render chemical and/or biological agents inert. The neutralizer will mix with the chemical and/or biological agents during the initial surge of aerosolized chemical and/or biological agents released in the target and render them harmless.

Abstract: Shell for trench mortars and similar firing systems, which shell includes an effective portion, which can be fired from a barrel by a propellant charge, there being a pressure plate provided between the effective portion and the propellant charge, which pressure plate carries the influence from the propellant charge. To provide effective fire above the ground a support portion is releasably arranged in front of the effective portion in the firing direction. The support portion carries a second propellant charge and in its front end a percussion cap, which, when the shell is fired, is located partly exposed outside the front end of the support portion and initiates the second propellant charge when hitting ground.

Abstract: An improved mortar training ammunition device is characterized by a propulsion module which can be altered for short range and full range operation. The module includes a stabilizer tube containing spaced groups of openings which are selectively opened or closed by rings mounted on the tube. Propelling charges are mounted on the rings. By selecting simulated or active propelling charges and the condition of the openings, the device can be used for garrison or field training.

Abstract: A device in a launch unit for a mortar projectile (4), where the launch unit (6) has a propellant charge (10) capable of generating propellant gas for launching the projectile from the barrel (1) of the mortar, the launch unit being designed to be placed in a loading position behind the projectile. The launch unit has an enlarged cross surface (20a) in the barrel against the pressure from the propellant gas, the enlarged cross surface creating an expulsion force on the launch unit. The cross surface is in the form of wing elements (20a) arranged crosswise in the front portion of the launch unit (6) and being bendable in proportion to the magnitude of the propellant gas pressure in order to accomplish a self-regulation of the expulsion velocity of the launch unit.

Abstract: A follow-thru grenade for military operations in urban terrain uses a microsecond delay fuzed warhead to breach a target will to allow a deflector protected anti-personnel millisecond delay fuzed grenade to proceed through the wall breach to attach enemy personnel behind the wall.

Abstract: Ring pellets for gas generators exhibit optimum reaction rates by having configurations which optimize such rates. The pellet has a central ignition duct; from the latter, outlet channels extend radially toward a rim of the pellet. Specific embodiments contain, on the topside and underside of the pellets, either conical recesses or annular channels or both. The pellets preferably exhibit a proportion of surface area/unit weight of from 4 to 7 cm.sup.2 /g, which can be set by variation of the channels and, respectively, of the recesses to obtain a desired value. The higher this value, the greater the reaction rate. The ring pellets are especially well suited for airbag generators which must display differently high reaction rates on the driver's side and on the front-seat passenger's side, and which are to exhibit at the same time a high breaking and abrasion stability.

Abstract: A modified propellant increment for the propulsion system of an ammunition round includes a body composed of combustible propellant material and having a hollow interior, and a plurality of holes defined through the body which communicate the exterior of the body with the hollow interior thereof. The hollow interior of the body is empty of any propellant other than the propellant material composing the body. The holes are arranged in first and second arcuate rows on opposite planar end portions of the body and ensure complete combustion of the body upon burning thereof.

Abstract: An improved ignition system for a fin-stabilized, high intrusion projectile (10) comprises an elongated boom (14) and a hollow fin assembly (16) which extends rearwardly into an external cartridge case (28) containing a consumable containment bag (30) filled with granular propellant (34), and which fits slidably over a primer (54). The primer (54) comprises a stub flash tube (56) extending through the base (40) of the external cartridge case (28) and a long igniter cartridge (58) fitted within the axial bore of the stub flash tube (56). The outer walls of the igniter cartridge (58) are fabricated from a combustible material such as paper, and the interior of the igniter cartridge (58) is filled with strands of benite or a similar explosive.

Abstract: Increment charge for a finned projectile designed to surround a cartridge tube on the projectile and to be ignited by the ignition gases from a propellant and ignition cartridge included in the cartridge tube. The surface of the increment charge which faces the cartridge tube is enlarged in that it is provided with a number of recesses which provide access for the said ignition gases. The increment charge consists appropriately of a number of powder discs of horseshoe-shape, provided with holes, the inner edge of which is asymmetric relative to the aperture of the horeshoe-shape. Each alternate disc is inverted so that the shape of the hole edge is inverted in mirror fashion for each alternate disc.