Abstract: 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexanitrostilbene, a thermally stable explosive material, is repared by reacting 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexanitrobibenzyl with a quinone in a suitable reaction solvent such as hexamethyl phosphoric triamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methyl-pyrrolidinone. The use of organic bases to promote the reaction and to allow the use of normally inoperative reaction solvents is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulator has a barrel arranged to launch a projectile. The simulator iudes a stress device for stressing the barrel. This stress device comprises a piston slidably mounted within the barrel. This piston is operative to expand at its periphery. Also included in the stress device is a seal that is sealed to the barrel and is spaced alongside the piston. The piston is positioned between the seal and the muzzle of the barrel. Pressurized fluid can be applied to the above equipment to pressurize the interspace between the piston and the seal.

Abstract: The invention is a non-lethal projectile for use in riot control. The strure is an improvement over prior similar projectiles, in that the sealing of the riot control agent payload is enhanced, thereby preventing leakage and consequent rejection. The invention allows for the complete sealing of the payload cavity, before filling, and then the introduction of the payload by a hypodermic type needle to penetrate the sturdier rubber-like final closure cover which self-seals when the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for charging a weapon-type mechanism hile applying only approximately one-half the force required to move the mechanism forward. The apparatus consists of a charger assembly having a spring which is extended by an initial force applied to the charger assembly in a rearward direction and to a position where the charger assembly is latched to the barrel assembly of the weapon-type mechanism. At this position, a compression spring in the barrel assembly is fully extended.The barrel assembly and the charger assembly latched to it are then moved forward to compress the spring in the barrel assembly. As the forward position of the combined barrel assembly and charger assembly is reached, the spring in the barrel assembly being essentially fully compressed, the barrel assembly is latched in place at this position as the charger assembly is delatched from the barrel assembly.

Abstract: An improved pressure relief valve is provided for giving recoil to blank-ing weapons of the recoil type. This pressure relief valve includes a cap which is fitted to the muzzle of a gun allowing longitudinal movement of the barrel. The cap is provided with an endwall in which a series of circularly arranged holes are provided and it is maintained in a fixed position with respect to the loading end of the weapon by spaced rods which are secured to the cap's flange and anchored at their opposite ends to a barrel jacket of the weapon.Positioned in the muzzle end of the bore of the weapon, and affixed to the endwall of the cap, is the pressure relief valve which is provided with diametrically opposite flats and a fully cylindrical portion sized to allow sliding movement in the bore of the barrel.In operation, when the blank cartridge ignites, the gas expands down the bore of the barrel and is trapped inside the barrel by the valve, forcing the barrel into recoil.

Abstract: A system and method of disseminating lethal and non-lethal agent within a rget to cause respiratory and occular irritation to animals therein by the use of an agent carrying shaped charge munition. Agent is located in a disposer of special trucated cone shape. The disposer is located in the forward end of the projectile munition. As the projectile impacts and forces its way through a target wall, for example, the special shape of the disposer gives it temporary integrity to withstand external forces and contain this agent until target penetration is realized. The agent is loaded into the disposer and it is assembled to the munition.

Abstract: The impact resistance of particulate RDX and HMX explosives is increased h a minimum loss of explosive output by admixture of about 1 to 9% of a particulate second explosive of the group 1,3,6,8-tetranitrocarbazole, 2,4,6,2', 4',6'-hexanitrooxanilide and ammonium picrate. Pressable explosive compositions of even greater impact resistance are obtained by coating the particulate dual explosive with 1 to 5% of a binder, such as petrolatum.

Abstract: Manufactures, apparatus and processes for shielding the hazards of explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants during manufacture, demolition, demilitarization storage, transportation and use.

Abstract: 2,2', 4,4', 6,6'-hexanitrobibenzyl, an intermediate compound used for mak hexanitrostilbene, is prepared by dissolving trinitrotoluene in a solvent system comprising a water-immiscible solvent and an aliphatic alcohol and then adding a metal hypochlorite solution containing a metal hydroxide to the trinitrotoluene solution to form the hexanitrobibenzyl. The compound is then separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexanitrobibenzyl, an intermediate compound used for making exanitrostilbene, is prepared by adding an aqueous alkaline metal hypochlorite solution containing an alkaline metal hydroxide to trinitrotoluene dispersed in a single solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 2-methoxyethanol, isopropanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, pyridine and N-methyl pyrrolidinone. The compound is then separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: 2,2',4,4',6,6'-Hexanitrostilbene is produced by reacting 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hnitrobibenzyl with copper sulfate in hexamethylphosphoric triamide as a reaction solvent. The HNS product can be thus produced in greater than 80% yields.

Abstract: An automatic gun for firing a projectile by means of a separately loaded pellant case has a receiving frame in which an elongated barrel can reciprocate. The barrel, which has an axial bore from its breech to its muzzle, has a chamber member slidably mounted on its breech end. This chamber member, having a concavity shaped to hold the propellant case, is transversely displaced from alignment with the barrel to an unlocked position by an actuating means, in response to barrel recoil.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus is described for use in a target indicating system operative selectively to signal a strike on a target plate. The target indicating system includes an actuator mechanism adapted to be driven by a pressurized gas, conduit and servo control means in flow communication with the actuator mechanism and adapted, in use, to supply gas under pressure to the actuator mechanism. A strike sensing apparatus or assembly is also included, connectible, in use, to the conduit and servo control means. This sensing apparatus includes a housing defining a cylinder therein having one portion thereof adapted to be in flow communication with the source of pressurized gas. A piston is provided being slidably movable in the cylinder. The piston has a bleed channel therein to depressurize the cylinder. A motion-sensitive weight, preferably in the form of a sphere, is supported by the piston and acts on a needle valve to keep the bleed channel closed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of disposing of lead azide by subjecting lead zide to electrolysis in an aqueous alkali electrolyte to recover metallic lead at the cathode. The electrolyte contains, on a weight basis, from about 10% to 20% sodium hydroxide and preferably from about 0.2 % to about 0.6% rosin powder and about 5% sodium-potassium tartrate. The preferred reaction temperature is about 180.degree. F. The preferred voltage is about 2 to 8.5 and the preferred current density is about 0.085 amperes per square inch of electrode. The preferred process results in the destruction of about 25 to 30 pounds of lead azide per hour.

Abstract: A method for desensitizing explosive materials consisting of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, comprises contacting the explosive material with a reductant containing no elements besides those contained in the explosive material for a period of time sufficient to desensitize said explosive, and thereafter disposing of said explosive by combustion or other means suitable for a non-explosive solid, e.g., landfill. The method of the present invention possesses important advantages in that it eliminates polluting by-products from prior art reductants and provides energy savings in reduced time and fuel requirements for the combustion of the explosive materials.

Abstract: A low viscosity liquid pyrophoric composition, which provides good safety der ordinary handling conditions but ignites rapidly when disseminated into the atmosphere, consists essentially of about from 50% to 85% by weight of a homogeneous solution of polyisobutylene in triethylaluminum and about from 15 to 50% of a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, said composition having a viscosity ranging about from 30 to 150 centistokes at 40.degree. C. When explosively disseminated into the atmosphere, the composition generates a fireball having a controlled ignition delay, which permits essentially complete vaporization of the hydrocarbon prior to ignition of the TEA, thereby producing rapid pulses of intense thermal radiation having a temperature as high as 1200.degree. C. (2192.degree. F.) and higher.

Abstract: A non-spill gas-liquid contact unit for use in a portable detector device r testing the atmosphere for the presence of hazardous substances. The gas-liquid contact unit includes a tubular chamber for absorber liquid, surmounted by a tubular air chamber removably attached thereto by a fluid tight joint, and a breather tube for drawing environmental air through the absorber liquid. The air chamber possesses an axial gas inlet tube projecting from its lower end for admitting gas from the absorber chamber, and an axial gas outlet tube whose one end projects into the upper end of the air chamber and the other end can be connected to a vacuum pump. The air chamber with its inlet and outlet tubes functions as a lock so that, when the unit is accidentally tilted from the normally vertical position to a horizontal or an inverted position while it is under vacuum, the liquid cannot spill out of the unit and thus nullify the analysis and corrode the vacuum pump.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for converting 2,2', 4,4', 6,6'-hexanitrobibyl (HNBB) to 2,2', 4,4', 6,6'-hexanitrostilbene (HNS) in high yields by reacting HNBB with a halogenating agent in the presence of a base in an organic solvent or a liquid suspending agent. A preferred halogenating agent is bromine; a preferred base is pyridine; a preferred solvent is dimethylformamide; and a preferred liquid suspending agent is toluene or chlorobenzene.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for converting 2,2', 4,4', 6,6'-hexanitrobibyl (HNBB) to 2,2', 4,4', 6,6'-hexanitrostilbene (HNS) by reacting HNBB with a copper ammino compound in a solvent. The HNS product can be produced in yields of greater than 65%.

Abstract: A novel, automatic, pneumatically operated bypass valve is provided in an r duct connecting a fan powered gas-particulate filter unit and an air conditioner unit. The bypass valve contains a bellows, which is automatically inflated by pressurized air transmitted thereto from the filter unit through a separate conduit, thereby closing the bypass valve when the filter unit fan is in operation. When the filter unit fan is turned off, the pressure in the filter unit falls to ambient, which automatically deflates the bellows and opens the bypass valve to provide a fresh air path to the air conditioner unit.