Abstract: A warhead includes a barrel operatively associated with the vehicle, the barrel being extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A vehicle includes a barrel extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A method includes transporting a warhead to a position proximate a target; angularly or translationally positioning a barrel of the warhead; and expelling at least one penetrator from the barrel toward the target. A vehicle includes an airfoil; a barrel operably associated with the airfoil; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel.

Abstract: A folding control surface assembly includes a torsion shaft, a base, and a control surface hingedly attached to the base via the torsion shaft, such that the torsion shaft biases the control surface toward an unfolded configuration with respect to the base. A vehicle includes a body and at least one folding control surface assembly. The at least one folding control surface assembly includes a torsion shaft, a base attached to the body, and a control surface hingedly attached to the base via the torsion shaft, such that the torsion shaft biases the control surface toward an unfolded configuration with respect to the base.

Abstract: An explosive structure of the fragmentation type includes an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber and means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing. The explosive structure further includes first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines and second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting inadvertent initiation of a munition includes a sorbing refrigeration device adapted to at least partially surround an energetic material of the munition. A container includes an energetic material and a sorbing refrigeration device at least partially surrounding the energetic material. A method for inhibiting an inadvertent initiation of a munition includes cooling an energetic material of the munition by sorption refrigeration.

Abstract: An electric pulse generator includes a driver having an outer surface, a receiver, and one or more piezoelectric elements disposed between and in electrical contact with the driver and the receiver. The electric pulse generator further includes an explosive material disposed on the outer surface of the driver. A method of making an electrical pulse generator includes providing one or more piezoelectric elements, a driver, a receiver, and an explosive material and operably associating the explosive material with an outer surface of the driver. The method further includes electrically coupling the one or more piezoelectric elements between the driver and the receiver.

Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.

Abstract: An impact-sensing, thermal insulation system includes a light source; an optical detector; and an optically-transmissive insulation optically coupled with the light source and the optical detector, the optically-transmissive insulation being operably associated with an outer surface of a pressure vessel. A missile includes a body; a propulsion system including a pressure vessel having an outer surface; and an impact-sensing, thermal insulation system operably associated with the outer surface of the pressure vessel. The impact-sensing, thermal insulation system includes a light source; an optical detector; and an optically-transmissive insulation optically coupled with the light source and the optical detector, the optically-transmissive insulation being operably associated with the outer surface of the pressure vessel.