Abstract: Finely divided pellets or granules are formed from a molten explosive comition by a combination of spray chilling and prilling techniques, which comprises atomizing the molten explosive composition in a high velocity stream of an inert gas such as air and allowing the atomized droplets to fall through a tower countercurrent to a stream of an inert gas to cool the droplets to form solid pellets. The process is advantageously employed for producing meltable explosive materials, e.g., Composition B, in the form of free flowing spherical pellets of high density and uniform composition.

Abstract: New reactants for catastrophically embrittling steel having a hardness of ckwell C40 or greater comprising an amalgam of 98 to 99 weight percent mercury, the balance being lithium and indium; and sulfuric acid, and methods for applying said reactants to the steel.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic delay fuze, for use in extended time explosive ordnances, crising a pyrotechnic delay cord in a spiral race in the base of the fuze. This system is activated through associated ignition materials. Upon initiation and propagation of the delay composition in the spiral race, the fuze provides a longer delay period and greater precision and reliability.

Abstract: A single channel telemetry circuit is used to measure the in-bore environtal experiences encountered by a projectile and to delay transmission of the data gathered until the projectile is clear of the gun and at a time when a transmission link between an on board transmitter and a ground based telemetry receiving station has been optimized.

Abstract: A coded switching device having a plurality of actuator dial knobs will, n set to a predetermined combination, provide electrical continuity between terminals on the device. Setting the dial knobs to another predetermined combination will enable the combination to be changed. The device consists of a number of stations, each comprising an actuator, a switch, and a detent mechanism, equal to the number of digits desired in the combination. Each switch is wired such that only one position will provide continuity through that switch. The switch rotors are connected to the actuators in a manner which will allow their angular relationship, and hence, the particular combination which will close all switches, to be changed by withdrawing the dial knobs in a direction outward from the device. A grooved rod extending transverse to the actuators gangs all of the actuators together for this combination change movement.

Abstract: Three photometers are positioned at three points P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.s3, aligned with each other and with an illuminating flare, and located at equal distances d from each other, with the middle photometer at a distance D, greater than d, from the flare; the illuminations E.sub.1, E.sub.2, and E.sub.3 simultaneously received by the three photometers from the flare are recorded; and the transmissivity T, or transmission per mile, of the atmosphere traversed by the light is calculated from the formula: ##EQU1## where the E values are in foot candles and d is in miles.

Abstract: A cable-connector adapter backshell device is used to provide increased rability of soldered connections from an externally shielded cable having a plurality of internally shielded electrical conductors which are required to make positive electrical connections with the terminals of a multi-terminal plug connector. A split pair of interlocking adapters are utilized to reduce the number of piece parts to completely shield the interface connections between the shielded cable and the plug connector, to reduce the number of solder joints, and to enable all conductor-terminal solder joints to be visible and inspectable after soldering.

Abstract: A pair of contacting rolling spheres are disposed in a tubular housing inmediate a stationary cam element and a fluidically damped and lubricated movable cam-piston member. The cam-piston member provides an axial force of sufficient strength to restrain loosely stacked elements of a spin stabilized munition. The device has its longitudinal axis offset from the main spin axis of the munition in order to utilize centrifugal forces associated with spin to generate by cam action an axial thrust force of sufficient magnitude and proper direction to restrain slidable elements within the munition.

Abstract: A pulse detection system comprises, in series, a pulse amplitude detector, pulse width detector and a recorder. The pulse amplitude detector comprises a voltage comparator having an input for receiving a voltage pulse, a reference d.c. voltage input, a ground and an output for producing an output voltage when the input pulse equals a predetermined fraction of the reference voltage. The pulse width detector comprises a positively-triggered monostable having: a trigger input connected to the comparator output, a ground, a RESET, a RESET reference, a reference d.c. voltage input connected through a resistor to the RESET and through a capacitor to the RESET reference, and a Q output; and a positive-going clocked flip-flop having a clock input connected to the Q output of the monostable, a data input connected to the comparator output, a ground, a reference d.c. voltage input, a RESET, and a Q output connected through a delay resistor to the RESET and through a capacitor to ground.

Abstract: An explosive composition containing essentially of an intimate mixture of15 to 45% by weight of a particulate high explosive from the group consisg of RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane) and HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane and mixtures thereof,15 to 50% by weight of ammonium nitrate, and20 to 60% by weight of ethylenediamine dinitrate;Wherein the weight ratio of ammonium nitrate to ethylenediamine dinitrate is from 1:2.5 to 1.5:1, respectively, and particularly about 1:1. These explosive compositions provide an unexpectedly high explosive output with a relatively low content of RDX and/or HMX, and an equivalent output with much less RDX than conventional explosive compositions consisting of mixtures of RDX with AN and/or TNT.

Abstract: An anti-missile missile employing an accelerator of the Van de Graaff or linear type which is carried by the missile to propel particles, such as gamma aluminum oxide, at hypervelocities, the particles being as small as about 10.sup.-7 cm in diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid controlled timer comprising a cydrical housing, and a close-fitting rotary shaft positioned co-axially within the housing. A spiral passageway scribed between the housing and the rotary shaft extends between the ends of the housing. The spiral passageway contains a viscous liquid and a sphere slidably disposed therein and capable of traversing the entire passageway length. An external constant torque spring connected to one end of the rotary shaft causes the rotary shaft movement while resistance to such movement results from interference of the sphere during its traverse through the spiral passageway, thus providing an extended time delay.

Abstract: A rate sensitive system for a seismic sensing pedestrian range containment evice monitors the shift in relative energy of a footstep as a function of footstep rate. A rate sensitive relative energy measurement circuit operates in conjunction with the detection of human footsteps and classification of personnel to limit the detection range of a seismic sensor to specific distance range.

Abstract: A low cost graze sensor fuze arrangement for a point detonating spin stabzed projectile in which firing pin actuation for detonation purposes is accomplished where the projectile may only graze the target and a graze sensor element will cam a firing pin assembly rearwardly toward a rotor armed detonator.

Abstract: Armor-piercing rounds having improved penetrators therein providing high al moments of inertia, and hence, high gyroscopic stability which is attributable to the variously configured non-circular cross-sections of the penetrators.

Abstract: LiAsF.sub.6 /dimethyl sulfite electrolyte solutions of improved storage sility are obtained by incorporating metallic lithium therein.

Abstract: A chromate-free etching process and composition for treating aluminum parts o prepare a surface for durable adhesive bonding to other parts, which avoids the toxicity and disposal problems attending the use of conventional chromate containing etching baths. The process utilizes an etchant composition composed of an aqueous solution of nitric acid, alkali metal sulfate, ferric sulfate and preferably also sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A hypervelocity projectile is provided with aluminum components, such as s and windshields, which possess a coating having high resistance to thermodynamic ablation on the aluminum components. The coating is formed by first producing a "hard" anodic coating on the aluminum component by anodic oxidation of the aluminum in an acid electrolyte maintained below 10.degree. C, and sealing the hard coating with a hot aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate of the formula Me.sub.2 O:x.SiO.sub.2, wherein Me is an alkali metal and x is at least about 2.0, e.g., a 5 - 10% aqueous solution of Na.sub.2 O:x.SiO.sub.2, wherein x is about 3.25.

Abstract: Copolymers are formed by reacting methyl methacrylate and methyl .alpha.-lkylacrylate between 20.degree.-30.degree. C in presence of catalytic amounts of sodium, the alkyl group in the methyl .alpha.-n-alkylacrylate having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The condensed explosive of a gas dynamic laser is a condensed mixture of or more nonhydrogenous organic explosive compounds, such as TNM, with a sufficient amount of aluminum or zirconium powder to supply energy to the products so that a temperature of at least 1100.degree. K. can be achieved at a nozzle throat at a pressure of not more than 10 atmospheres, in such proportions that .tau..sub.II >.tau..sub.E >.tau..sub.I, which produces a population inversion. Satisfactory examples include TNM alone or combined with HNB in various proportions, mixed with 7.5 to 17.5% of aluminum powder.