Abstract: An ordnance includes a nose cone configured to be attached to a fuze or a warhead. The nose cone, when attached or coupled to the fuze or warhead, covers the fuze and at least a portion of the warhead to provide the ordnance with an aerodynamic profile. The nose cone has a shape that improves the aerodynamic profile of the ordnance as compared to ordnance that does not include a cover over the fuze. The improved aerodynamic profile enables the ordnance to achieve a greater range (approximately 20% or more) than ordnance that does not have a separate nose cone covering the fuze.

Abstract: A transport pallet includes a base body, which includes an upper surface, a lower surface and feet. The base body includes a composite which exclusively has multiple modules that are similar to one another and connecting element, whereby the modules are connected to one another. Each module includes a folding sheet and a fixing element and provides a respective segment of the upper surface of the base body. The base body has exactly four modules, where each module has exactly four feet arranged spaced apart from one another, where each of which has foot lateral surfaces around a respective hollow space, and where each side has a respective lateral surface which is formed from the foot lateral surfaces of two respective feet, where the foot lateral surfaces, which form opposing lateral surfaces of modules connected to one another, rest flat against one another.

Abstract: An explosive container positioning saddle for munition demolition includes a base having a first surface defined by a portion of a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis. The base includes a second surface opposing the first surface. Sleeves are coupled to the second surface of the base and extend away therefrom. Each of the sleeves has a longitudinal axis and is oriented such that the longitudinal axis associated therewith is aligned to intersect with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A surface skimming munition comprises a hull, a traction propulsion motor positioned in the hull and having a combustion chamber for combustion of a propellant, at least one aft directed nozzle coupled to the hull at a position forward of a center of gravity of the hull and comprising an inlet section and an outlet section, the inlet section in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the outlet section directing combustion gas received from the combustion chamber through the inlet section in the aft direction, and at least one stabilizing plane coupled to the hull and moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile is disclosed that has deployable fins. The fins are pivotally coupled to the body of the projectile. The fins have two primary states: stowed within a recess at the surface of the projectile and deployed to a radially-extended position relative to the body of the projectile. The fins deploy as the projectile leaves its launch tube. The fins function as a control surface, interacting with the wall of the vapor cavity in which the supercavitating projectile travels.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vortice-amplified diffuser section for use in a buoyancy dissipater are generally described herein. The vortice-amplified diffuser section may include a plurality of diffusion ports to diffuse an expanding gas, a reduction sleeve to adjust an amount of diffusion flow, and vortex generators within at least some of the diffusion ports to generate vortices. The reduction sleeve may be configurable to block off some of the diffusion ports. The vortex generators may generate vortices of gas bubbles in the water to reduce the water's buoyancy and to inhibit movement or disrupt the operations of an errant vessel. The reduction sleeve may be used to control the size, shape, and intensity of the expanding gas bubble or bubble plume as well as to control the lethality level of the buoyancy reduction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bubble weapon system and methods for inhibiting movement and disrupting operations of vessels are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bubble weapon is configured to generate a plume of bubbles in water. The plume reduces buoyancy of the water to inhibit movement of a vessel or disrupt operations of the vessel. In some embodiments, the bubble weapon includes a configurable diffuser section that may be configured in a thrust-neutral configuration or a thrust-engaged configuration.

Abstract: An underwater hydro-reactive explosive system includes a pressure vessel with a central section of water disposed between identical sections of a material selected from the group consisting of thermites, intermetallics, nano-sized metallic particles, and micro-sized metallic particles. The water is provided in a stoichiometric quantity that provides a complete reaction with the material following simultaneous detonation of the sections thereof.

Abstract: A mine defeating projectile includes a housing defining an inner cavity, a plurality of channels extending through a front surface of the housing and to the inner cavity, and a plurality of cutout sections extending through as side wall thereof. The projectile further includes a fragmentation sleeve disposed in the inner cavity of the housing and a slider sleeve disposed in the inner cavity of the housing abutting an aft end of the fragmentation sleeve. The slider sleeve includes an explosive train and the slider sleeve is frangibly attached to the housing. The projectile further includes a finned section attached to an aft end of the housing. The finned section defines a protrusion for initiating the explosive train. The protrusion is spaced apart from the explosive train.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile having a nose that is capable of morphing its shape or length for extended operating range is disclosed.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment provides bumpers which are roughly shaped like skis that face towards the air-water boundary of the air cavity. When the projectile fishtails and one or more of the bumpers come into contact with the air-water boundary, the water imparts torque and a rebounding force to push the projectile completely back into the air cavity. Furthermore, because the bumpers are shaped roughly like skis and not like knives, the bumpers do not penetrate the water or create unnecessary water drag.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment provides bumpers which are roughly shaped like skis that face towards the air-water boundary of the air cavity. When the projectile fishtails and one or more of the bumpers come into contact with the air-water boundary, the water imparts torque and a rebounding force to push the projectile completely back into the air cavity. Furthermore, because the bumpers are shaped roughly like skis and not like knives, the bumpers do not penetrate the water or create unnecessary water drag.

Abstract: A surface ship, deck-launched anti-torpedo projectile is disclosed. The projectile has a blunt-end nose to create a cavitating running mode. The nose has a gradual, stepped, right-circular cylindrical or conic geometry. In some embodiments, the projectile includes a plurality of tail fins that are dimensioned and arranged to be within the generalized elliptical cavity that shrouds the projectile in the cavitating running mode.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile having a nose that is capable of morphing its shape or length for extended operating range is disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for warding off objects approaching a ship under or on water by using ammunition bodies to be detonated below the water surface, the device comprising: an ignition device programmable to the water depth at which ignition is to be carried out automatically. In order to selectively ward off objects approaching the ship, in the event of the presumption of a threat, the device may detect both the distance and the direction of the object approaching using an underwater positioning system, and transmitting the data to the actuators of a launching device of an ammunition launcher that is disposed on the ship, and positioned about two axes via a firing guide computer so that, after firing a respective ammunition body, the same strikes the water surface above the object at a precisely predefined region, or at a predetermined distance from the object.

Abstract: A removable protective nose cover for a submersible structure having a nose section is disclosed. The removable protective nose cover can include a plurality of shell members, each of the shell members having a forward end and an aft end. Each shell member can also be dimensioned to fit adjacent to and around the nose section of the submersible structure and thereby form a protective shell. A central nose member having a locking member can also be included, the locking member being operable to attach the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members. The aft ends of the shell members can be attached to each other using a plurality of attachment clips such that the attachment of the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members and the attachment of the adjacent aft ends of the shell members form the removable protective nose cover for the submersible structure.

Abstract: A cavity-enhancing feature and method are disclosed for a projectile that is capable of operating underwater in a cavity-running mode.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile is disclosed that has deployable fins. The fins are pivotally coupled to the body of the projectile. The fins have two primary states: stowed within a recess at the surface of the projectile and deployed to a radially-extended position relative to the body of the projectile. The fins deploy as the projectile leaves its launch tube. The fins function as a control surface, interacting with the wall of the vapor cavity in which the supercavitating projectile travels.

Abstract: A surface ship, deck-launched anti-torpedo projectile is disclosed. The projectile has a blunt-end nose to create a cavitating running mode. The nose has a gradual, stepped, right-circular cylindrical or conic geometry. In some embodiments, the projectile includes a plurality of tail fins that are dimensioned and arranged to be within the generalized elliptical cavity that shrouds the projectile in the cavitating running mode.

Abstract: A cavity-enhancing feature and method are disclosed for a projectile that is capable of operating underwater in a cavity-running mode.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a dart that contains an HE payload, two time-delay fuses, one providing a relatively longer delay and the other providing a relatively shorter delay and two triggering mechanisms for triggering the fuses. The first triggering mechanism, which triggers on contact with a mine lid, triggers the relatively shorter time-delay fuse. The second mechanism, which triggers on overburdening exposure to water, sand, or soil, triggers the relatively longer time-delay fuse.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the pitch of a supercavitating projectile is disclosed. For example, the illustrative embodiment controls the pitch of a supercavitating projectile by shifting its center of gravity. The center of gravity of the projectile is shifted by moving a ferromagnetic mass inside the projectile forward or backward, depending on the desired pitch. In some embodiments of the present invention, the position of the ferromagnetic mass is directed by a controller that has a predetermined trajectory stored in its memory.

Abstract: An underwater supercavitating projectile includes means to form ripples on its surrounding cavity so as to provide well-defined disturbances of the cavity boundary. As the ripples move aft of the supercavitating projectile and into the wake behind the advancing projectile, the ripples detach to form a pattern of vapor bubbles in the wake that are distinct in both size and regularity from the typical vapor bubbles formed as the cavity collapses behind the advecting projectile. Sensors record the track of the projectile along its path based on the distinct acoustic signature of the vapor bubbles. Combined with the acoustic echo from a target, the relative distance of the projectile to the target can be determined using methods known in the art. Multiple projectile trajectories are used to increase the ability to resolve the target by adjusting the aiming of the projectiles to reduce the relative distance.

Abstract: A high velocity acoustic signal producing underwater shotgun system for dispersing a plurality of relatively small supercavitating projectiles over a wide spatial field at long range using the dynamics of cavity collapse for better target localization in underwater mine clearance. A typical supercavitating projectile design is enhanced to produce a two-staged projectile in order to accomplish this innovation. The first stage of the two stage design allows for the long range firing underwater typical of a supercavitating projectile while the second stage permits the coverage of a wide area with a plurality of small supercavitating projectiles just as the first stage projectile reaches its fixed range. A distinctive feature of the radiated noise from a supercavitating projectile contacting a solid object is used in conjunction with the two stage projectile design to provide a system for underwater mine clearance verification.

Abstract: A high speed underwater projectile configuration that includes a cylindrical telescoping cavitator design capable of providing projectile nose shape change where such change to the projectile nose tip geometry results in supercavitation and a concomitant vaporous cavity in the water that reduces projectile drag resistance while maximizing projectile range and where the projectile nose tip further includes a retractable cavitator piston feature. The projectile nose is designed to house a cylindrical cavitator piston that protrudes forward from the projectile and is held in place until launch. Velocity induced hydrodynamic forces on the forward face of this cavitator piston cause the piston to start moving aft and to gradually cause the piston to retract into the projectile nose, until a larger, secondary cavitator is exposed to the vaporous cavity.

Abstract: A high velocity acoustic signal producing underwater shotgun system for dispersing a plurality of relatively small supercavitating projectiles over a wide spatial field at long range using the dynamics of cavity collapse for better target localization in underwater mine clearance. A typical supercavitating projectile design is enhanced to produce a two-staged projectile in order to accomplish this innovation. The first stage of the two stage design allows for the long range firing underwater typical of a supercavitating projectile while the second stage permits the coverage of a wide area with a plurality of small supercavitating projectiles just as the first stage projectile reaches its fixed range. A distinctive feature of the radiated noise from a supercavitating projectile contacting a solid object is used in conjunction with the two stage projectile design to provide a system for underwater mine clearance verification.

Abstract: Embodiments of a buoyancy dissipater and method for deterring an errant vessel are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a volume of gas is generated from a propellant and diffused below a waterline of a vessel. The resulting gas bubble dissipates the buoyancy of the vessel providing a non-lethal deterring effect. The buoyancy dissipater includes a diffuser having radially-positioned diffusion ports to radially diffuse the gas generated by a gas generator below the waterline. In some embodiments, the radially-positioned diffusion ports comprise holes positioned radially around the diffuser to diffuse the gas around the buoyancy dissipater.

Abstract: A projectile having a cavity-running mode is provided with a means for changing the diameter of its nose. Based on changed conditions, the diameter of the nose can be actively reduced or increased, as required, to maintain a desired value for the nose-to-body ratio of the projectile.

Abstract: A projectile having a cavity-running mode is provided with a mechanism for changing the diameter of its nose. Based on changed conditions, the diameter of the nose can be actively reduced or increased, as required, to maintain a desired value for the nose-to-body ratio of the projectile.

Abstract: A method for operating a thrust-generating supercavitating projectile involves launching the projectile in water from rest at the maximum available thrust, maintaining that thrust until supercavitating movement begins, and then reducing thrust to a near-minimum amount that is required to maintain supercavitating movement of the projectile.

Abstract: A method for operating a thrust-generating supercavitating projectile involves launching the projectile at a velocity above the minimum required to maintain supercavitating movement, delaying initiation of thrust until the projectile slows to a velocity that is near that minimum velocity, and then applying thrust to maintain the near-minimum velocity until a target is reached.

Abstract: A water-entry projectile capable of supercavitation and spin-stabilization comprises a forward section having one or more forward stepped sections, each stepped section being symmetrical in rotation about an axis and having a radius at an aft end that is different from a radius of a front end of an adjacent rearwardly located stepped section; an aft section having an aft stepped section, the aft stepped section being symmetrical in rotation about the axis and having a maximum radius larger than a maximum radius of the forward section; and wherein the aft section is located substantially aft of a center of gravity of the projectile.

Abstract: Embodiments of a buoyancy dissipater and method for deterring a vessel are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a volume of gas is generated from a propellant and diffused below a waterline of a vessel. The resulting gas bubble dissipates the buoyancy of the vessel providing a non-lethal deterring effect.

Abstract: A control system for a supercavitating vehicle includes a set of winglets for rapid maneuverability and a segmented ring wing for fine stabilization control. The winglets and ring wing extend from an aft portion of the vehicle. The winglets are supported by a strut attached to the vehicle. The angle of attack of each winglet into the water adjacent the cavity is controlled by a winglet actuator. The winglet assembly may be extended into the water or retracted to be completely within the cavity by means of a spring-loaded actuated mount. The segmented ring wing is controlled by a ring actuator. The ring actuator may be used to control the angle of attack of the ring wing. Alternately, or in combination, the flow over the ring wing may be neutralized by using the cavitator of the vehicle to globally enlarge the cavity and thus limit the flow.

Abstract: The present invention includes a means to sustain a rocket torpedo's supercavation envelope to enhance the speed, maneuverability and resistance to percussion based counter measures. The invention includes machines using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a porous plate technique never associated with torpedo design. This approach differs from previous efforts to apply porous plate designs to surface ships and differs as a proportional gas flow is achieved to sustain supercavation during all aspects of a torpedo travel to include but not limited cruising, diving, surfacing and while executing turns of any turning radius.

Abstract: A method for operating a supercavitating projectile is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a supercavitating projectile is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the angle of attack of a cavitator on a supercavitating underwater research model. The apparatus has a nose assembly that has a pivotable cavitator tilt plate, an actuator member and a drive system engaged with the actuator member to drive the actuator member so as to tilt the cavitator tilt plate to a desired angle. Power components are remotely located and accessible to an operator so as to enable an operator to vary the angle of the cavitator tilt plate while the supercavitating underwater research model is underwater and in motion.

Abstract: A projectile based targeting system for underwater objects includes a trainable gun terminal mounted in a waterproof housing. The gun terminal includes plural gun barrels terminating in waterproof breeches. Noise generating projectiles are launched from the gun barrels, and a fire control system selectively fires the projectiles from each of the plural gun barrels in a noise pattern. A host controller detects and processes noise generated by a launched pattern of the noise generating projectiles to give information about the objects. The projectiles each include a void region connected to an outer surface of the projectile by a hole formed in a neck of the projectile. Launching of the projectile creates a vaporous cavity around the projectile and thus the hole, thereby causing the void region to resonate at a noise generating frequency.

Abstract: A projectile is provided that includes a body having a front tip portion and a rear end portion. A combustion chamber base plate is operatively arranged with the rear end portion of the body and defines a combustion chamber. At least one radial discharge aperture is partially defined by the combustion chamber base plate and is arranged in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. A gas generated by igniting a combustible material is discharged through the at least one radial discharge aperture. The discharged gas impinges against a wall of a cavity formed by the moving projectile to form a reactive force that stabilizes the projectile thereby reducing the occurrence of tail-slap.

Abstract: A supercavitating projectile is disclosed and includes a combustion chamber, a forward-directed jet nozzle and a comparatively larger gas duct/rear-directed jet nozzle. The combustion chamber is filled with a propellant having a hollowed core. The core serves as a pathway to fluidly allow combustion gases to the jet nozzles. In operation, the propellant combusts to form gasses forced forward through the forward-directed nozzle to generate a virtual cavitator in the form of a ventilation gas bubble. Combusted gasses are also forced out the rear-directed nozzle forming a propulsion jet. The projectile therefore uses the rear-directed jet to maintain a cruise velocity approximate to the launch velocity and employs a source of ventilation gas using the forward-directed jet for supercavitating of the projectile.

Abstract: A system has a source of gas venting gas at a nose portion of the vehicle to create a gas/vapor cavity on the nose portion and an adjacent hull of the vehicle. A thermal engine propelling the vehicle through ambient water creates waste heat for heating the hull to raise the temperature of the gas/vapor cavity extending over it. A pump aft on the vehicle recirculates a portion of the gas/vapor cavity as recirculated gas to the nose portion. The velocity of the recirculated gas of the gas/vapor cavity is controlled by the pump to be virtually the same as the relative flow rate of the ambient water along an interface boundary between the gas/vapor cavity and the ambient water.

Abstract: A system to create and maintain a gas/vapor cavity about a hull surface includes a fence selectively extendable above and below the hull surface. A gas venting means is positioned beneath the hull surface downstream from the fence. The vented gas can be used to create a gas/vapor cavity downstream from said fence and cover the hull surface. A heat source is also positioned downstream from the fence and beneath the hull surface. The heat source is capable of heating the hull surface to create or maintain the gas/vapor cavity on the hull surface. A sensor and controller can also be provided to control the cavity.

Abstract: A safety and arming device has first and second portions of an explosive train fixably supported in a housing. A third portion of the explosive train is fixable in a first position such that the first and second portions remain operably separated from one another, and is further movable to a second position such that the first and second portions are operably coupled to one another via the third portion. An integrated water sensor/actuator is coupled to the third portion to provide the motive force that moves the third portion to its second position. The water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that dried-in strain of the cellulosic material is greatest along one axis thereof. In the invention, a plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith.

Abstract: A high-speed supercavitating underwater vehicle includes an elongated hull of circular cross section, the hull having a cavitator at a forward end thereof and means for ventilating gas to form a cavity around the hull in underwater travel. An expandable annular skirt is fixed on the hull and is provided with an outer surface proximate an outer surface of the hull. The skirt is expandable to increase a diameter of the skirt from proximate a diameter of the hull to proximate a diameter of the cavity to define an annular gas film between the expanded skirt and a boundary of the cavity. The expanded skirt acts to substantially reduce the flow of gas from a forward high pressure zone of gas to an after low pressure zone of gas.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets. In general, the invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets comprising a warhead that employs a super-cavitating nose along with a cellular structural design that uses a reinforced central post as the main load-bearing component and subdivides the explosive cavity into shorter sections. Also, initiation means for initiating the explosives are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid pressure recovery includes an elongated housing having an opening at a first end thereof, an opening at a second end thereof, an inner peripheral surface, and a fluid flow passageway therethrough. The apparatus further includes a plurality of choke members fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing, each of the plurality of choke members being spaced from an adjacent choke member and projecting a predetermined distance into the fluid flow passageway of the longitudinal housing. The plurality of choke members sequentially produce a reduced turbulent free shear fluid layer from the first end to the second end of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A method of breaking up a structure for the recovery of steel as scrap. The structure has steel plates forming a compartment secured to framing in the compartment. The method includes at least partially filling the compartment with a substantially incompressible substance and placing explosive in the substance in the compartment. The explosive is sufficient and adapted on detonation thereof to pressurize the compartment to the extent of causing separation of the plates from the framing. The method further includes detonating the explosive.

Abstract: A portable data acquisition system for use in certifying torpedo tube-launched weapons such as a Mark 48/ADCAP, a Tomahawk missile or a Harpoon and the like. The system includes a portable computer, a rugged four slot chassis, a 32 channel multiplexing module, a four channel isolation amplifier with excitation, eight channel isolation amplifier, a custom signal conditioning module, an associated terminal block and interface cables. The system has the unique feature of obtaining live data for quick analysis about the launched weapon using the torpedo tube as opposed to the post launch data for analysis. All the components are housed in a shock resilient and weather-tight container.

Abstract: A supercavitating underwater projectile adapted to be fired from a gun or the like, comprising a front end or nose portion and a rear end portion. An auxiliary rocket motor is disposed within the rear end portion of the projectile for providing additional thrust after the projectile has been fired. Vents are disposed within the projectile and are in communication with the rocket motor and the exterior of the projectile for venting some of the combustion gases from the rocket motor to the exterior of the projectile near the nose portion thereof to increase the size of the cavitation bubble formed as the projectile travels through the water and thereby reduce hydrodynamic drag on the projectile.