Abstract: A deep water explosive echo ranging system capable of detecting high perfance submarines by using favorable acoustic paths available at deep depths. An umbrella hydrophone array is deployed from a sonobuoy to deep depths; an electrical subsystem transmits data from the hydrophone array to a transmitter housed in a surface float unit; a multichannel receiver and signal processing and display apparatus in an aircraft receives and processes radio data signals sent from sonobuoy transmitters; and an explosive underwater charge package is remotely triggered by a command generator in the aircraft.

Abstract: Bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)thionocarbonate, [CH.sub.3 C(NO.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 C.dbd.S; bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)thionocarbonate, [C(NO.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.2 O].sub.2 C.dbd.S; and bis(2,2-difluoro-2-nitroethyl)thionocarbonate, [CF.sub.2 (NO.sub.2)CH.sub.2 O].sub.2 C.dbd.S are prepared by reacting one mole of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldi-1,2,4-triazole with 2 moles of 2,2-dinitropropanol, 2,2,2-trinitroethanol, or 2,2-difluoro-2-nitroethanol, respectively. These compounds are useful as explosives and as intermediates for the preparation of energetic explosives and plasticizers.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a propellant charge by incorporating a support ructure in the propellant charge comprises slowly traversing a flexible perforated material through a propellant lacquer until the desired loading is obtained. Reinforcement by this technique makes possible the use of a double base propellant in high-thrust, short-burning applications.

Abstract: Di-alkylated phosphazene oligomers of the general formula: (NP(X.sub.2))..n NPRR' wherein X represents chloride, bromide, or iodide, R and R' represent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon and n represents an integer from 2 to 8, are prepared by reacting, in a nonoxidizing atmosphere, a perhalopolyphosphazene, a Grignard reagent and a cuprous complex in solution, followed by the addition of alkyl iodide or an activated alkyl halide. Polymers, useful as high-temperature elastomers, are prepared from the above oligomers by heating them at a temperature from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., followed by a reaction with an amine, metal alkoxide, or a metal aryloxide at a temperature from 20.degree. C. to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for reducing radar attenuation caused by the formation of free etrons in the exhaust plume of a combusting high impulse rocket propellant which comprises contacting a microwave attenuation reducing additive having at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IIIA, IVA, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table with said high impulse propellant. A novel propellant composition characterized by its combustion of low microwave attenuation properties. A class of additives useful for reducing the microwave attenuation characteristics of high impulse propellants.

Abstract: N,N,N', N'-tetrakis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) oxamide, ##STR1## which is prepared by the following reaction sequence ##STR2## N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) oxamide is a high density, ergetic explosive which is melt castable as well as thermally and hydrolytically stable.

Abstract: A method for altering the characteristics of liquid telechelic polymers by means of reducing the reactive group content and adjusting the viscosity of a given liquid telechelic polymer. This is accomplished by means of a two stage process which comprises reacting some of the polymer's available reactive groups with a difunctional reactant and adding a diluent to produce a final composition of desired viscosity and reactive group content.

Abstract: A system for mooring a buoyant case such as a marine mine or other marine vice at a preselected depth below the surface of the water in which the case was launched. After the case has been launched, and made bottom contact, the mooring system utilizes a first piston assembly in conjunction with a corrodible pin to initiate mooring line payout from a buoyant case to an attached anchor. When the preselected mooring depth is reached, a second piston assembly terminates the mooring line payout and the ascent of the case, thereby resulting in mooring of the buoyant case at the preselected depth.

Abstract: A thin-film single-crystal infrared detector exhibiting an increased frequency of response. A closed transverse junction, formed by diffusing a central electrode of an impurity rich metal into a lead-salt film epitaxially grown on an insulating substrate, provides an effective optical area in excess of the junction surface. An ohmic contact is spaced apart from the central electrode. Junction capacitance, a limitation upon the electrical response, is diminished by the detector geometry while detectivity is enhanced. In an alternative embodiment the detector may be segmented to provide directional detection.

Abstract: N,N-Bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) amine is reacted with methyl, ethyl, or -propyl chlorothiolformate in the presence of titanium tetrachloride to give the intermediate S-methyl, S-ethyl or S-propyl N,N-bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) thiocarbamate (II), ##STR1## The thiocarbamate (II) is then refluxed with sulfuryl chloride to yield N,N-bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) carbamyl chloride (I), ##STR2## which is useful as an explosive and as an intermediate for the synthesis of energetic explosive or propellant compounds.

Abstract: Grain-oriented polycrystalline or single crystal magnetostrictive materials n the general formula Tb.sub.x Dy.sub.1-x Fe.sub.2-w, Tb.sub.x Ho.sub.1-x Fe.sub.2-w, Sm.sub.x Dy.sub.1-x Fe.sub.x-w, Sm.sub.x Ho.sub.1-x Fe.sub.2-w, Tb.sub.x Ho.sub.y Dy.sub.z Fe.sub.2-w, or Sm.sub.x Ho.sub.y Dy.sub.z Fe.sub.2-w, wherein O.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.0.20, and x+y+z=1. X, y, and z are selected to maximize the magnetostrictive effect and the magnetomechanical coupling coefficient K.sub.33. These material may be used in magnetostrictive transducers, delay lines, variable frequency resonators, and filters.

Abstract: An improved method of synthesizing bisorthodinitriles having the formula: ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic or aromatic radical, which involves dissolving the eactants in a dipolar aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide, and heating the mixture to reflux until the completion of the reaction. The usage of such solvents permits the reaction to be completed at least ten times as fast as the prior-art method, while the volume of solvent used is also reduced by a factor of ten.

Abstract: A general purpose decoy launcher comprising two concentric cylinders and ing a launch platform attached to the inner cylinder by a load bearing hinge. The muzzle portion of the launch platform is attached to one end of an elevating mechanism, the other end of which rides in an inclined surface fabricated as part of the outer cylinder. Motion of the launcher to and from the firing configuration is accomplished by the holding of the outer cylinder stationary while rotating the inner cylinder with respect to it. Relative motion between the cylinders causes the elevating mechanism to rise on the inclined surface, thus elevating the launch platform to the firing angle. Launching tubes are located within the confines of the launching platform.

Abstract: A tough, ablative-resistant, dielectric ceramic material is constructed using powder metallurgy techniques. The composite comprises a boron nitride particulate phase immersed in an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 matrix. The boron nitride particles are preferably 3-5 microns in size, and create the capability of sustaining thermal strains without generating the thermal stresses that lead to material failure. The composite displays superior mechanical strength characteristics.

Abstract: The synthesis and subsequent polymerization of highly aromatized phthalonile monomers which contain phenoxy linkages having a substantially aromatic spacer moiety between the two terminal phthalonitrile groups is disclosed. The phthalonitriles are synthesized by a nucleophilic displacement of a nitro substituent, which is activated by the ring cyano groups on the aromatic ring, by a phenoxide containing unit. The phthalocyanine polymers have improved toughness, low water absorptivity and higher thermal and oxidative resistance than currently available polymers.

Abstract: A process for improving the shape change memory properties of a titanium-kel base alloy by (1) heat treating the alloy to convert the TiNi phase to CsCl (B2)-type crystal structure, (2) cold working the alloy to increase the micro-twining, and finally (3) thermal cycling the alloy through the transition temperature range (TTR) while a load is applied in order to improve the orientation of the micro-twins.

Abstract: An iodine-doped polyfluorometallophthalocyanine having the repeating unit [(PcMF) (I).sub.x ] wherein Pc represents a phthalocyanine moiety, M represents a III-A metal selected from the class consisting of aluminum and gallium, and x is from about 0.01 to about 3.4 if M is aluminum and x is from about 0.01 to about 2.3 if M is gallium.

Abstract: A system for mooring a buoyant case such as a marine mine or other marine vice at a preselected depth below the surface of the water in which the case was launched. After the case has been launched, together with an attached anchor, the anchor and case separate to the extent of a resilient line as they descend through the water. When the case passes through a first preselected depth the resilient line is released from the case, thereby permitting a mooring line, which is connected in series between the resilient line and the case, to payout. As the mooring line unwinds the anchor descends to the ocean floor while the buoyant case ascends toward the surface. When the case ascends through a second preselected depth a brake assembly is activated to stop the payout of the mooring line. After the case has been positioned at the second depth, a locking assembly fixes the position of the case at the mooring depth.

Abstract: An improved self-powered vehicle detector (SPVD) uses a two-axis magnetomr to sense a vehicle's magnetic signature and then telemeter vehicle presence information to a roadside receiver. The SPVD system includes digital nulling loops to cancel D.C. offset changes in the magnetometic output, a multi-tone code transmitter to transmit vehicle presence and SPVD condition signal, and an omnidirectional microstrip antenna to simplify installation and maintenance of the SPVD.

Abstract: A process and a small, sensitive, low noise, high gain, power amplifier used in the process, for exploiting the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect in a ferromagnetic thin-film. The magnetization of the thin-film is biased to lie along the hard axis. The amplifier is configured so that a sensing current in the thin-film flows at an angle of forty-five degrees to the nominal direction of magnetization, and the current to be amplified produces a magnetic field parallel to the easy axis of the thin-film.