Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component explosive composition coising 2-ethylhexyl nitrate and a granular solid oxidizer. An optional additional component is a second fuel, e.g., aluminum. An optional component in the absence of the second fuel is azodicarbonamide. Methods for making the explosive are provided.

Abstract: A method is presented to reduce the quantity of microbubbles having diameters of approximately 1000 microns or less in seawater as a means of ship wake signature suppression. Ultrasonic acoustic energy is projected into a volume of seawater in which the microbubbles reside, e.g., a ship's wake. The ultrasonic acoustic energy has a constant frequency selected from the range of approximately 0.5-2.5 MHz.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge having a reduced propellant charge and an initial duced cartridge volume is provided. The cartridge volume is reduced by partially filling the cartridge case with a foam filler using a male mold form. The male mold form is sized to provide the desired propellant volume and tapered to maintain the desired cartridge pressure during the propellant burn. Alternately, the foam filler may be formed externally and inserted into the cartridge case. In that embodiment, an adhesive retainer is used to secure the foam filler to the base of the case. During firing, the foam filler is turned into a gas, thereby providing the large volume of the case for expansion of the propellant gases. After firing, the case is free of residue, all of the foam filler having been expelled as a gas.

Abstract: A chemical warfare agent decontamination solution made up of about 30-45% of a quaternary ammonium complex containing benzyltrimethylammonium chloride and benzyltriethylammonium chloride dissolved in a solvent, such as water or glycol, is provided. This solution is a noncorrosive, nontoxic, nonflammable decontaminant, which may also be used to neutralize organophosphorus agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A tool is provided for the consistent positioning of a tube initiator agat the inside wall of a casing of an explosive device a fixed height above the bottom of the casing. The tool has a base plate with at least one hole formed therein that is sized to form an interference fit with the end(s) of the tube initiator that will reside within the device's explosive material. A spacer is attached to the plate and extends away from the plate in the same direction as the tube initiator. A handle or grip is attached to the plate and extends away from the plate in a direction opposite that of the spacer.

Abstract: A method for programming and executing a computer program in an immersive sual programming environment, i.e., virtual reality environment, includes steps for assembling data objects and algorithmic components selected from a set of prefabricated virtual components to construct the computer program, compiling the computer program, and executing the computer program by initiating sequential flow of data objects through the algorithmic components. According to one aspect of the invention, the compiling step is performed while providing visual and audio clues to a user in response to a determined compiler error; the clues indicate the location and nature of the detected compiler error. Additionally, the executing step permits the flow of data objects and the interaction among the data objects to be visually displayed to the user. An apparatus suitable for performing the program and execution of a computer program in a virtual reality environment is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component explosive composition coising 2-ethylhexyl nitrate and a granular solid oxidizer. An optional additional component is a second fuel, e.g., aluminum. An optional component in the absence of the second fuel is azodicarbonamide. Methods for making the explosive are provided.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multiple-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotter rifle with a top-mounted rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotter rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the spotter rifle. The spotter rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotter round and the rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotter rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: An optical RF spectrum analyzer which is suitable for determining the reaime spectral frequency content of radar return signals. The optical RF spectrum analyzer includes a demodulator for demodulating an input RF signal to produce a time-varying voltage signal at its output, and a sample and hold circuit for sampling the time-varying voltage signal to obtain and hold a prescribed number of samples of the time-varying voltage signal during each of successive prescribed frame intervals. At the conclusion of each frame interval, the samples obtained and held during that frame interval are applied to respective inputs of a laser array to drive respective ones of the lasers in the array, whereby the laser array produces a spatial pattern of infrared radiation having a spatial intensity distribution which is indicative of the amplitude distribution of the envelope of the input RF signal over a given frame interval.

Abstract: An optical correlator is disclosed that compares signals of interest agai selected reference signals stored in holograms both of which are imaged onto a spatial light modulator comprising electron trapping material. The cooperative action of the light from the hologram and the light from a delayed line causes the spatial light modulator to produce signals that are proportional to the correspondence between the signals of interest and the reference signals.

Abstract: A firing circuit that is used for a lightweight launcher for propelling rets is disclosed. The firing circuit generates a pulse for firing the rocket launcher and comprises first and second capacitor banks. The first capacitor bank acts as low impedance energy source, in which power is developed to supply sufficient energy to initiate the rocket motor squib which, in turn, ignites the rocket motor of the rocket. The second capacitor bank acts as a high voltage, low impedance source whose energy is used to charge a capacitor internal to the rocket. The capacitor internal to the rocket, is part of the rocket warhead fuse. The capacitor internal to the fuse is used to initiate the detonator of the rocket warhead when the rocket terminates flight at target.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon with a removable rocket tube and spotter barrel is provided. The rocket tube and spotter barrel assembly is a standard receiver and trigger assembly. The grouping of the tube and barrel in a single removable assembly allows quick field replacement for either repair or reconfiguration of the weapon to a different rocket size. The sight assembly is also removable by sliding the sight out of dovetail attachment points. A further benefit is that different rocket tube assemblies may be pre-boresighted at the factory, thereby also reducing field assembly time.

Abstract: An interconnecting network comprising operational amplifiers, summing ampiers, and hysteretic coupling circuits is disclosed. The interconnecting network responds to signals of interest that may be substantially simultaneously present, but only to the highest initial intensity thereof so as to provide priority decoding of signals of interest. The hysteretic coupling circuit has a selectable coupling rate and a selectable coupling constant that allows the hysteretic circuit to respond in a stable so called "winner-take-all" manner, or conversely in a non-stable chaotic manner.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multiple-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotter rifle with a top-mounted rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotter rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the spotter rifle. The spotter rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotter round and the rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotter rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: A single trigger dual firing mechanism having dual sears and dual hammers provided. A pivoting connector link is mounted on a trigger with a horizontal pin. A selector bar causes the connector link to rotate to either engage the primary or secondary sear. Engagement of one sear locks the other sear and locks out the opposite hammer. When the selector turns and engages the primary sear then that sear is moved and the primary sear allows the primary hammer to fall. With the selector knob in the opposite position, the secondary sear is operated allowing the secondary hammer to move. The primary hammer is a swing type hammer. The secondary hammer is a piston type hammer. Both hammers operate from a single trigger using a thumb operatable selector bar.

Abstract: A breech bolt and lock assembly for a gas-operated firearm is provided. The ssembly is contained within a bolt housing which in turn contains a bolt operating spring and a two-part bolt mechanism. The two-part bolt has a cylindrical outer bolt which encloses the inner bolt and firing pin. A second spring operates the firing pin. During firing, the inertia of the firing pin and inner bolt prevents the sudden rearward movement of the discharging cartridge. There is no other locking of the breech, however, the weight of the inner bolt and pin assembly may be changed to accommodate different propellant loads.

Abstract: A process for growing single crystal epitaxial BaF.sub.2 layers on gallium rsenide substrates by slowly reacting Ba, BaCl.sub.2, Bal.sub.2, BaBr.sub.2, BaF.sub.2 .cndot.BaCl.sub.2, BaF.sub.2 .cndot.BaBr.sub.2, BaF.sub.2 .cndot.BaI.sub.2, BaCl.sub.2 .cndot.BaBr.sub.2, Ba.sub.3 (GaF.sub.6).sub.2, BAH.sub.2, or BaO.sub.2 vapor with a clean, hot GaAs substrate at 500.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. in high vacuum until a uniform, thin (.about.12 .ANG.) layer of reaction product is formed and then vapor depositing BaF.sub.2 onto the reaction layer at room temperature to 400.degree. C. to form the single crystal, epitaxial BaF.sub.2 layer.

Abstract: A follow-through grenade is provided which utilizes a primary fuze to trir both the main warhead and a delayed secondary fuze system. The main warhead explosion is used to breach barriers behind which enemy personnel are located. When the primary explosion occurs, the primary fuze simultaneously activates a delay timer and slide detonator. The slide detonator provides a means to keep the secondary explosive in a safe mode until the explosion of the primary warhead. The delay timer triggers the follow-through explosion after the primary explosion has breached the barrier. This behavior allows the follow-through device to penetrate the barrier and explode on the far side of the barrier for maximum effectiveness against personnel located behind the barrier. The present invention uses a standard dual mode fuze as its activator and is based on the McDonnell Douglas Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW).

Abstract: A thermal bond system is provided for bonding a first component that prods heat to a second component that dissipates heat. Carbon or other thermally conductive fiber tows are woven together to define a fabric mesh having first and second opposing woven surfaces. An adhesive bond that is flowable prior to drying is used to wet and cover the first and second opposing surfaces. The adhesive bond extends into interstices formed between adjacent fiber tows.

Abstract: A photoconductive switching device is disclosed that has an enhanced speed f response so that its closed (low) and open (high) resistive states are obtained in response to optical illumination in the less than nanosecond regime. The enhanced speed of response is achieved by neutron irradiation of a material preferably comprising GaAs:Si:Cu. An application of the improved photoconductive switching devices is disclosed which allows the realization of a high-power, frequency-agile RF source topology.