Abstract: A fireset for a low energy exploding foil initiator (LEEFI) comprises a first capacitor for storing a level of electrical energy sufficient to fire the LEEFI, the first capacitor being in electrical communication with the LEEFI, second and third capacitors in electrical communication with the first capacitor for storing lesser levels of energy than is stored by the first capacitor, a diode in electrical communication with the capacitors for limiting charging of the second and third capacitors, and first and second resistors providing isolation among the capacitors. A trigger directs a pulse of electrical energy to a high speed switching transistor adapted to receive the pulse from the trigger and, in response there to, to dump the third capacitor. The third capacitor dumps through a silicone controlled rectifier to short the second capacitor to ground, to decrease the level of energy stored by the second capacitor.

Abstract: A method for enhancing air to ground target detection, acquisition and terminal guidance which includes providing a reference image of a target scene, detecting contrast boundaries, tracing edges along the edge pixels, storing in computer memory endpoints of fitted straight line segments, providing a video image of the target scene, identifying contrast boundaries, scaling and transforming the template, correlating it with the edges of the video image, and converting the target designation in the reference image to the sensor image. A multispectral gradient based image correlation system including a template containing information as to edges, a video image of a target processed by a gradient operator, means for correlating the template and the image edge-to-edge, a means for transferring the target from the template to the image, that provides an enhanced video image with the target within it.

Abstract: An image compression system for implementing a zerotree wavelet compression algorithm. The compression system uses a wavelet based coding system which takes advantage of the correlation between insignificant coefficients at different scales.

Abstract: Provided is an automated case cutting device that may be remotely controlled to rotate and cut an outer case of an object. It can be applied to the disassembly and disposal, testing, or inspection of munitions. In one application, the device cradles a generally cylindrical munition of a length much greater than its diameter on two rollers attached to a bed or plate comprising a support frame. One of the rollers is rotated by a transmission mechanism powered by an electrical motor, while the other roller may also be turned by the same transmission mechanism via a sprocket and chain set. The munition may be further held in place by one or a set of holding rollers attached to a frame hinged to the support frame, so that the holding roller(s) swing onto the top of the munition after the munition is placed on the cradling rollers. The holding roller(s) may also be turned via a second sprocket and chain set, driven off the same drive shaft as the first roller.

Abstract: An image guided weapon system employing passive optical terminal guidance d method which provides the precision strike capability without requiring the use of a designator or the presence of an additional designator aircraft, which can operate through the weather, which allows rapid attack of multiple targets, and which does not require any aircraft to remain in the target area after a weapon has been launch. A target area is designated and an image of the target area is generated. An aimpoint within the target area is selected and GPS coordinates of the aimpoint are determined. An image template is generated using flight orientation data, the image of the target area, and GPS coordinates of aimpoint. Image processing software creates an image template which is downloaded to a weapon. The weapon's seeker generates seeker images which are compared to the image template.

Abstract: A fireset for a low energy exploding foil initiator (LEEFI) comprises a ft capacitor for storing a level of electrical energy sufficient to fire the LEEFI, the first capacitor being in electrical communication with the LEEFI, second, third, and fourth capacitors in electrical communication with the first capacitor for storing lesser levels of energy than the first capacitor. A trigger directs a pulse of electrical energy into the fireset. An integrated circuit to which the pulse of electrical energy is directed, is adapted to invert the pulse and to dump the third and fourth capacitors. A first metal oxide semi-conductor fill effect transistor (MOSFET) switch is turned on by the integrated circuit and the dumping of the third and fourth capacitors, the first MOSFET switch being operable to dump the second capacitor. A second MOSFET through, which the second capacitor is dumped, operates to discharge the first capacitor through the second MOSFET, to fire the LEEFI.

Abstract: A process for indicating the likelihood of cook-off for energetic materials by calculating the heat flux and chemical venting relative to known crial parameters for the energetic materials. The process further may include an alarm.

Abstract: ADN stabilizers of aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic organic compounds, such as pyridines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, and triazines substituted with amino, hydroxy or other activating groups. The stabilizers being added to the ADN in an amount of from about 0.001 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of the ADN.

Abstract: This invention is comprised of new nonlinear optic polymers and a new Lanir-Blodgett (LB) film deposition scheme for which these polymers were designed. The invention is unique because it produces an electro-optic film which has never undergone electric-field poling nor high temperature treatment. It eliminates the dilution effect of the long hydrophobic alkyl groups, and creates stronger ionic bonds between the polymer chains. Finally, the invention reduces the time to make a film of a given thickness by at least half by virtue of depositing two polymer layers per stroke. The new polymers are comprised of asymmetric chromophores linked head-to-head by alternating two different kinds of bridging groups. One of the bridging groups contains one or more ionic groups, and the other bridging group contains one or more non-ionic, hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: Polyethers containing pendant azide groups are cured without a catalyst by yclo-addition with diacetylenes to form triazole cross-linked, energetic binders having improved mechanical properties and stability. The polyethers typically have three hydroxy-terminated chains each of about 5000 to about 50,000 daltons. Ideally, only one azide group per chain reacts by cyclo-addition since the diacetylene is added in a proportion of about one molecule to each two polyether chains. Repeating units of glycidal azide, azidomethylmethyloxetane, bis-azidomethyloxetane/nitratomethylmethyloxetane, and bis-azidomethyloxetane/azidomethylmethyloxetane are believed effective as polyethers when used with the diethynlbenzenes 1,4-bis(ethynl)benzene, 1,4-bis(ethynlcarbonyl)benzene, and 1,3-bis(cyanoethynl)benzene. The polyethers may be further cross-liked at the hydroxyl terminations by urethane bonds.

Abstract: A machine provides in situ cutting of a specimen of elastomeric propellant rom a rocket motor wherein an undetached plug is formed by an annular opening cut through the motor casing and into the propellant. The machine has a length of resilient wire secured at its ends to a rod for forming a loop mounted on the rod. The rod is inserted into the opening at one side of the plug with the loop around the plug. The rod is then rotated to wind the wire onto the rod so as to contract the loop and sever the plug. A tray is pivotally mounted on the rod between the rod and the plug with the wire passing through slots in the tray. The tray is inserted into the opening beside the specimen so as to prevent engagement of the rod with the specimen during cutting and to receive the detached specimen for removal from the motor. The rod and tray extend from an assembly having an air motor rotating the rod through reduction gearing and through an overrunning clutch which drives in the loop contracting direction.

Abstract: An fire protection system for use in shipboard magazines wherein electric at detectors in a ship magazine provide temperature data to a fire panel. Upon detection of predetermined threshold temperatures, the fire panel initiates an alarm system and activates a fire sprinkler valve to apply water to fire sprinklers in the magazine. Temperature data from the heat sensors and stored weapon response data are used by a damage control system to generate graphic display data showing thermal conditions in the magazine and estimated times and temperatures at which stored munitions will undergo thermal destruction.

Abstract: A process for producing monoclinic celsian comprising the steps of forming a mixture of an alkoxide of silica, an alkoxide of aluminum, and a salt of barium; adding a catalyst of a fluorine containing compound to the mixture; calcining the catalyzed mixture; and, heat treating the calcined mixture. This process uses a sol-gel process to progressively increase the amount of monoclinic phase in relation to the hexagonal celsian. Additionally, a process for producing monoclinic strontium aluminosilicate is disclosed.

Abstract: A machine performs in situ excision of a specimen of tough and highly elac solid propellant from a fin of the propellant disposed within a cavity extending from the nozzle opening of a rocket motor. The machine is mounted at the opening and has a rod extended into and moved generally axially of the cavity by an actuator assembly. A knife is mounted at one side of the rod end within the chamber. A mounting assembly supports the actuator assembly on the rocket motor and provides selective positioning of the actuator assembly axially of the cavity, of the angle of rod movement to the cavity axis, and of the knife position rotationally within the cavity. The actuator assembly has a guide received in the mounting assembly. The rod extends through the guide which prevents rotation of the rod while guiding it axially. From the guide, the rod extends successively to and through an air cylinder and a hydraulic dampening cylinder to a rod end bearing an adjustable stop for selecting the axial movement of the rod.

Abstract: A new compound, tertiarybutylbis-(dimethylamino)phosphine, ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)((CH.sub.3).sub.2 N).sub.2 P, is used as a precursor in forming phosphorus-containing semiconductor material by chemical vapor deposition. Tertiarybutylbis-(dimethylamino)phosphine is prepared by reacting a phosphorus trihalide, PX.sub.3, with the tertiarybutyl Grignard reagent ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)MgX. The resultant product is treated with lithium dimethylamide reagent LiN(CH.sub.3).sub.2. Tertiarybutylbis-(dimethylamino)phosphine is then recovered from the reaction mixture. Phosphorus-containing semiconductor materials are formed by chemical vapor deposition by means of bubbling a carrier gas through the new compound and then transporting the ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)((CH.sub.3).sub.2 N).sub.2 P with the carrier gas to a heated substrate. Additional elements from groups II, III, V, and VI of the periodic table are then deposited on the substrate to form the Phosphorus-containing semiconductor materials.

Abstract: Introduction of sample stream air into argon inductively coupled plasma permits continuous monitoring of hazardous air pollutant metals in combustion flue gases. In addition to entrained particulates, various molecular components of flue gas are in the plasma. These species, and reaction products thereof, such as CN species, also undergo excitation resulting in complex emission spectra of appreciable intensity. Serious spectral interference arises for several metal elements, from molecular emission bands associated with the stable CN radical, and other poly-atomic species, such as NO. Failure to account for these interferences can significantly degrade accuracy of monitoring particularly at low metal concentrations in the flue gas.

Abstract: Synthesis of a vinyl terminated polymer by reacting a cationically polymerizable monomer in the form of a cyclic ether with an acid chloride in a suitable solvent and in the presence of a Lewis acid. The vinyl-terminated polymers can be polymerized with other appropriate monomers resulting in thermoplastic elastomers having suitable properties for use as binders for explosives and propellants.

Abstract: A high-activity hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst comprising an impregnated and calcined substrate with a catalyst mixture. The catalyst mixture comprises a hydrogen peroxide catalytically active compound containing a transition metal cation mixed with an alkaline promoter. A process for forming a high-activity hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst and a product of high-activity hydrogen peroxide decomposition are disclosed.

Abstract: A process that lends itself to automation for producing multi-layer second-order nonlinear optical polymer (NLOP) thin films by the forming of a polycation layer containing an NLO-active cationic polymer, having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on a substrate followed by the forming of a polyanion layer, also having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on the polycation layer. A predetermind number of the polycation and the polyanion layers may be alternated upon the surface as well as one or more buffer layers. An added benefit is the formation of an ultra-smooth surface of the same order of roughness as the substrate upon which the layers are formed.

Abstract: This invention involves an improved technique for the modulation of waste an actively controlled compact waste incinerator afterburner. This improved technique utilizes acoustic driving to affect indirect modulation of waste flow velocities. The waste surrogate gases are modulated indirectly by periodic entrainment created by the roll-up of the main air vortex as well as indirect acoustic excitation of secondary air injection. One of the main advantages of this new configuration is the acoustic drivers used to phase inject the waste into the vortex for proper combustion are not in direct contact with the hot waste and therefore can be less expensive and more durable over the long term.