Abstract: A broach recoil mechanism includes an arresting cartridge and a broach having plural cutting surfaces. The broach is disposed on the exterior of the barrel of a weapon. As a projectile is fired from the barrel, the barrel recoils, moving toward the arresting cartridge. The broach engages the arresting cartridge, shaving off pieces thereof, slowing progress of the barrel while transferring the recoil load to the hull of a unmanned underwater weapon containing the weapon.

Abstract: A firearm booster assembly is described that includes a mounting piston, a main housing comprising a housing interior and optionally a locking cap removably attached to the mounting piston. The mounting piston and locking cap may be at least partially located in the housing interior. The housing exterior may include threads removably attaching the booster assembly to a suppressor or other barrel accessory and the mounting piston may include threads attaching the booster assembly to a barrel of a pistol or other firearm. The housing interior preferably includes at least one O-ring or other seal and the housing exterior preferably includes no holes leading to the housing interior. Upon attachment of the booster assembly to a suppressor and pistol and firing the pistol, the main housing preferably moves forwardly relative to the mounting piston.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to firearms or more precisely—to devices providing underwater firing firearms from within the dry environment. The device for underwater firing for a firearm comprises: a weapon with ammunition, a fire control tool and a controllable muzzle valve with a passage opening intended for passing of the projectile in the course of the underwater shot. Moreover, the device comprises an outer housing having inside it at least a weapon and ammunition. The fire control tool has at least one pyrotechnical charge intended to produce inside the housing before firing the excessive pressure exceeding the exterior water pressure. Moreover, the fire control tool is connected with the muzzle valve that provides firing after opening of the muzzle valve in the result of increasing pressure of the pyrotechnical gas inside the housing and ceasing firing after closing of the muzzle valve.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to firearms or more precisely—to devices providing underwater firing firearms from within the dry environment. The device for underwater firing for a firearm comprises: a weapon with ammunition, a fire control tool and a controllable muzzle valve with a passage opening intended for passing of the projectile in the course of the underwater shot. Moreover, the device comprises an outer housing having inside it at least a weapon and ammunition. The fire control tool has at least one pyrotechnical charge intended to produce inside the housing before firing the excessive pressure exceeding the exterior water pressure. Moreover, the fire control tool is connected with the muzzle valve that provides firing after opening of the muzzle valve in the result of increasing pressure of the pyrotechnical gas inside the housing and ceasing firing after closing of the muzzle valve.

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 apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus clears the barrel and/or prevents water from entering the barrel based on pressure variations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.

Abstract: A test system that is capable of evaluating the effectiveness of a weapons system designed to defeat an incoming, fast-moving, underwater munition is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, an extremely large tubular sheath is inflated underwater. The sheath is maintained at a depth and inclination that is appropriate for an incoming torpedo. An inert projectile is launched or flown inside the sheath at a speed that is consistent with the speed of munition that the weapons system is intended to defeat.

Abstract: An unguided projectile-accelerator system includes an enclosure, first and second charges, first and second projectiles, and a recoil-absorbing mechanism. The enclosure has an open first end and a closed second end, and the first and second charges are disposed within the enclosure. The first projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the first charge and the first end and is operable to exit the enclosure via the first end and to generate a first recoil in response to detonation of the first charge. The second projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the first charge and the second charge and is operable to exit the enclosure via the first end and to generate a second recoil in response to detonation of the second charge. The recoil-absorbing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the enclosure and is operable to absorb at least a respective portion of each of the first and second recoil.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a magnetically-attractable water-impermeable disk. Via operation of a drive system, the disk is movable between a sealing position, wherein it prevents water from entering the barrel by moving into alignment with the first bore, and a firing position, wherein the first water-impermeable disk moves out of alignment with the first bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine that is disposed at the outlet of the muzzle of the gun. The turbine draws in water and, in various embodiments, either (a) vaporizes it, forming a vapor barrier along the spin axis that keeps water out of the barrel, (b) expels it radially, thereby re-directing it so that it does not enter the barrel, or (c) generates water jets that prevent water from entering the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a magnetically-attractable water-impermeable disk. Via operation of a drive system, the disk is movable between a sealing position, wherein it prevents water from entering the barrel by moving into alignment with the first bore, and a firing position, wherein the first water-impermeable disk moves out of alignment with the first bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus clears the barrel and/or prevents water from entering the barrel based on pressure variations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine that is disposed at the outlet of the muzzle of the gun. The turbine draws in water and, in various embodiments, either (a) vaporizes it, forming a vapor barrier along the spin axis that keeps water out of the barrel, (b) expels it radially, thereby re-directing it so that it does not enter the barrel, or (c) generates water jets that prevent water from entering the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve that is moved between a sealing and non-sealing state by a valve-actuator. In some embodiments, the valve actuator is driven by gases that result when a round is fired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve that is moved between a sealing and non-sealing state by a valve-actuator. In some embodiments, the valve actuator is driven by gases that result when a round is fired.

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 knife includes a handle, a blade and a trigger. The handle has an internal cavity containing a compressed gas source and the blade is affixed to the handle. The blade has an internal bore running along a longitudinal axis from the handle to a point proximate a tip. The blade further has an aperture extending from a first edge to the internal bore at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of between 15° and 75°. The trigger has a depressed position and a not depressed position. When in the depressed position, the internal bore communicates with the compressed gas source and when in said not depressed position, the internal bore is blocked from the compressed gas source. When a creature is pierced with the knife, the trigger is depressed injecting compressed gas into the creature greatly enhancing the incapacitating effect of the knife.

Abstract: A pneumatic launcher has a plenum chamber section, an intermediate chamber section and a launch tube section connected together in a generally linear arrangement. The plenum chamber section defines a plenum chamber that has a closed end and an open end. The intermediate chamber section has aft and forward rupture disks consecutively arranged to define an intermediate chamber. The plenum chamber is pressurized with a pressurized gas to a design plenum pressure and the intermediate chamber is pressurized with a pressurized gas to pressure that is about one-half the design plenum pressure. The intermediate chamber is then depressurizing to produce a pressure imbalance between the plenum and intermediate chambers that causes said aft and forward rupture disks to rupture. As a result, pressure equilibrium occurs between the plenum chamber and launch tube thereby discharging the fluid and projectile from the interior of the launch tube.

Abstract: A muzzle break for a gun comprising a baffle, a series of slots in the housing of the muzzle break in which the slots exhaust gas of a pressure wave deflected by the baffle during firing of the gun. A membrane seals the slots for underwater use and is separable by the deflected exhaust gas. Another membrane seals a sabot separation chamber of the muzzle break adjacent to the baffle and in a projectile path from the baffle. The membrane for the separation chamber is detachable by a projectile fired from the gun.

Abstract: A spear gun sight assembly includes a rear sight with a first plate having a generally perpendicular bend therein such that a vertically orientated lower portion and a horizontally orientated upper portion are defined. A peep sight is attached to and extends upwardly from a top side of the upper portion. The peep sight has a peephole extending therethrough. A first coupler is adapted for releasably securing the rear sight to a spear gun. A front sight includes a second plate that has an inner side and an outer side. A loop is attached to the second plate so that the loop extends away from the inner side. A sight pin is attached to the second plate and extends into the loop. A second coupler is adapted for releasably securing the front sight to the spear gun so that the peephole is aligned with the sight pin.

Abstract: A device for countermeasuring an underwater target is provided. The device generally comprises a module having inflatable buoyancy chambers that allow the module to hover at a desired water depth, at least one acoustic array to detect the underwater target, a propulsor system for orienting the module with respect to the underwater target, and a gun for firing one or more projectiles at the underwater target.

Abstract: A pneumatic spear gun (11) comprising a barrel (27) having an open end (33) through which a shaft (15) of a spear (13) can be received. A first piston (35) is slidingly and sealingly received in the barrel (27) for movement towards and away from a retracted position. A retaining means (41) is provided for releasably retaining the piston (35) in the retracted position. A source of compressible fluid such as air is contained in a reservoir (59) and is arranged to undergo compression upon movement of the piston (35) into the retracted position and to propel the piston along the barrel (27) from the retracted position upon release of the piston thereby to propel the spear (13). A control means is provided for selectively increasing the pressure of the compressible fluid for varying the propulsive force applied to the piston (35). The control means includes a cylinder (43) forming part of the resevoir (59) and having a second piston (45) slidingly and sealingly mounted therein.