Abstract: A diode pumped solid-state laser for high shock, high vibration environments such as those found in laser ignition systems for artillery systems.

Abstract: The breech end of a gun may include a quick-release spindle assembly. A carrier may have a locking collar rotatably disposed therein. The locking collar may have a through-bore and one or more projections extending into the through-bore. The locking collar may be rotatable between spindle lock and spindle release positions. A spindle may be translatably disposed in the through-bore of the locking collar. The spindle may include one or more projections extending radially outward from a rear outer surface of the spindle. In the spindle lock position of the locking collar, the projections of the spindle may be aligned with the projections of the locking collar to thereby prevent translation of the spindle in a forward direction. In the spindle release position of the locking collar, the projections of the spindle may not be aligned with the projections of the locking collar to thereby allow translation of the spindle in a forward direction.

Abstract: A transporter may move a payload along a linear path. The transporter may include a stationary base and a first arm assembly. The first arm assembly may include a first gear coupled to the stationary base, an idler gear that meshes with the first gear, and a second gear that meshes with the idler gear. The transporter may include a driver for rotating the first arm assembly around the axis of the first gear. A second arm assembly may be rigidly coupled to the second gear such that rotation of the second gear rotates the second arm assembly around the axis of the second gear. The second arm assembly may include a third axis that is parallel to the axes of the first and second gears. A payload engager may be disposed at the third axis, for engaging and disengaging the payload.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an angle of inclination of a tangent to a centerline curve of a tube includes a shuttle and a clinometer rotatably fixed to the shuttle. The shuttle comprises a pair of circular end plates and a shaft that joins the end plates. A carrier is attached to the shaft and the clinometer is fixed to the carrier. The shaft is rotatable with respect to the end plates, or the carrier is rotatable with respect to the shaft. The method of determining curvature of a tube having a centerline curve comprises measuring angles of inclination of the tangent to the centerline curve at a plurality of axial locations along the tube.

Abstract: A stun grenade includes a housing having at least a portion that is not opaque; a light output section disposed in the housing, the light output section comprising a pyrotechnic material; a fuze coupled to the housing, the fuze including a time delay column inserted into the housing; and a noise output section comprising a lower portion of the time delay column and a pyrotechnic material disposed in the lower portion of the time delay column. The light output section and the noise output section are initiated at different times.

Abstract: A protective folding shield for mounting to a rail of a vehicle may include a generally rectangular shield; a base stand fixed to a first side of the shield; a shim fixed to the first side of the shield and spaced apart from the base stand; a hinge fixed to the base stand and the shim; a base fixed to the base stand; a pair of latch bases fixed to the base adjacent a second side of the shield; a pair of latch uprights fixed to the second side of the shield wherein, in a substantially vertical position of the generally rectangular shield, the pair of latch uprights are removably fixed to respective ones of the latch bases; and a plurality of clamps fixed to the base wherein the rail is disposed between the clamps and the base.

Abstract: A stand-off for maintaining the separation between an electrode and an object during a flow-through electroplating process is disclosed. The stand-off comprises a substantially streamlined shape that mitigates the effects of shadowing during deposition.

Abstract: A vehicle disabling apparatus may include at least one plunger assembly having a plunger and a toggle operable to pivot inside the vehicle tire. The apparatus may include energetic material disposed adjacent the plunger and configured to force the plunger into a vehicle tire. A method of disabling a vehicle having a tire may include using the vehicle's tire to move the plunger and thereby activate the energetic material; and moving the plunger into the tire using gas produced by the energetic material.

Abstract: A finless mortar tube made of a superalloy includes, seriatim, a breech end, a beginning taper point, an ending taper point, a lower clamp region, an upper clamp region, and a muzzle end. The nominal wall thickness of the tube is constant from forward of the breech end to the beginning taper point and the nominal wall thickness of the tube decreases from the beginning taper point to the ending taper point. The mortar tube is capable of a substantial increase in the rate of fire compared to conventional mortar tubes.

Abstract: A protective shield apparatus for a light armor vehicle having a turret includes a generally flat base plate mounted to the turret; an armor plate fixed to the base plate and including a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a rear panel, the armor plate being canted vertically outward from the base plate; each of the first side panel, second side panel and rear panel including a ballistic glass window; a rear bracket connected at one end to a rear of the base plate and at another end to the turret; and a z-bracket connected at one end to the rear of the base plate and at another end the z-bracket bears against the turret.

Abstract: A flash suppressor of the open prong type having a twist in its structure formed of alternating grooves and flutes or prongs provides a highly effective flash suppression for small and medium caliber weapons and especially for automatic weapons and machine guns when placed on the end of their barrels. The orientation of the direction of the twist of the structure is in a direction opposite to the direction of the rifling in its firearm barrel. Various objective laboratory tests and subjective user evaluation on its performance prove out its effectiveness in terms of mitigating visible flash on shorten machine gun barrels as well as standard full length barrels used in critical helicopter black out operations using night vision equipment. In addition, precise aiming of a weapon equipped with the inventive flash suppressor exhibits lower dispersion of actual projectile impact compared to conventional flash suppressors.

Abstract: A method for measuring the azimuth and elevation of the axis of a tube of other apparatus uses a centering mandrel inserted in the tube. The centering mandrel has a laser fixed to one end. The laser beam is aligned with the bore axis of the tube. A pair of optical instruments view two points on the laser beam. Using the optical instruments, horizontal and vertical angles from one optical instrument to the other, and vice versa, are measured. Also, horizontal and vertical angles from each optical instrument to each of the two points are measured. Using the three sets of measured angles, the azimuth and the elevation of the bore axis are calculated.

Abstract: A fuze for a submunition comprises a fuze housing with a stabilizer ribbon for aerodynamic orientation, a fuze slider released by tension on the stabilizer ribbon, an air-powered electric generator extended into the airstream by the fuze slider and powered in flight by high-speed airflow, a MEMS safety and arming device, a fuze circuit board including an explosive fireset, and an electrically initiated firetrain. The fuze is fixed to and communicates explosively with the end of a grenade warhead.

Abstract: A primer feed mechanism mounted on a carrier of an artillery piece includes a body assembly for mounting the primer feed mechanism on the carrier, the body assembly having guide rails and a follower plate; a tray assembly that is movable on the guide rails of the body assembly, the tray assembly including a housing and an injector arm assembly; an actuator drive link connected to the carrier; a quick release link connected to the actuator drive link; and a drive link assembly connected to the quick release link and to the injector arm assembly; wherein one end of the injector arm assembly includes a push pin that reciprocates in the housing to inject a primer and another end of the injector arm assembly includes a follower that travels in the follower plate of the body assembly.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a first step of performing swage autofrettage on an object; a second step of heat soaking the object; and a third step of performing hydraulic autofrettage on the object. The second and third steps may be repeated one or more times. A final step may be heat soaking the object. The object may be, for example, a pressure vessel or gun barrel.

Abstract: A seat for a combat vehicle includes a generally rectangular rigid base including front and rear ribs disposed on opposite, longer sides of the base, the base including a pair of slot openings disposed adjacent opposite, shorter sides of the base; a generally rectangular inner cushion disposed on a top surface of the base; a generally U-shaped outer cushion disposed on a top surface of the inner cushion and along outer surfaces of the front and rear ribs; a cover disposed over the outer cushion; and a pair of support assemblies for supporting the seat in the vehicle.

Abstract: A stackable container includes top and bottom surfaces; opposing side surfaces; opposing end surfaces; and interlock mechanisms on at least one of 1) the top and bottom surfaces, 2) the opposing side surfaces and 3) the opposing end surfaces. Because of the interlock mechanisms, a plurality of the containers may be stacked and shipped, such as on a pallet, without the use of support bands.

Abstract: A cooling fin for a mortar tube comprises a plurality of discrete nibs disposed on an external surface of the mortar tube wherein the nibs are arranged in longitudinal rows spaced circumferentially around the mortar tube. Preferably, the number of longitudinal rows of nibs is thirty-six. The nibs have a substantially square cross-section.

Abstract: Apparatus and accompanying methods for the detection and subsequent destruction or disablement of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) while maintaining a satisfactory level of human safety. Operationally, our inventive method and apparatus detects the IED using one or more methods including: detecting internal battery components; detecting magnetic signature(s) of the IED; detecting a characteristic energy spectrum of the IED; and/or detecting characteristic chemical signatures of the device(s). Once detected, the device may be further characterized and then subsequently deactivated and/or destroyed by a shaped pulse charge directed at the device or its power source (battery) from a safe distance.

Abstract: A detonator for a hand grenade fuze comprises a detonator case; a slider that is transversely reciprocable in the detonator case from an unarmed position to an armed position, the slider including a longitudinal through-hole filled with a primary explosive; a spring that biases the slider to the unarmed position; an arming mechanism attached to the slider, the arming mechanism comprising a shape memory alloy; an explosive lead disposed below the slider; and a booster charge disposed below the explosive lead.