Abstract: Spin is imparted to a projectile within a smooth-bore barrel through the of a projectile-sabot system. The sabot, which substantially encloses the projectile, has a forward flange section which includes a plurality of nozzles which cause the sabot to operate as a centrifugal turbine. The sabot has grooves or slots on interior and/or exterior surfaces which fracture under the centrifugal forces which exist when the projectile-sabot system exits the smooth-bore barrel, thereby permitting the sabot to separate from the projectile after the desired spin has been imparted to the projectile.

Abstract: A weapon is provided with means to buffer the recoil which is produced when the weapon is fired. The buffer includes a fluidic device having a first and a second chamber. During recoil, a compressive force is applied to the fluid in the first chamber and flow from the first chamber to the second chamber is restricted by a fluidic diode in relationship to the pressure differential between the first and second chamber. On counter recoil, the fluid flows from the second chamber to the first chamber in an essentially unrestricted manner. The level of flow restriction by the fluidic diode is greater at high pressure differentials than at low pressure differentials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a shot-start projectile apparatus for a w gun tube. The apparatus can be fitted to a projectile as an auxilliary obturator or can be designed to the proper weight and used as the projectile. The apparatus comprises a torque bolt, a rear band, an alignment sleeve, a front band and an alignment nut. The front and rear bands are identical and they are made of metallic or non-metallic material. The remaining components of the apparatus are made of metal. The front and rear bands provide obturation to prevent hot propellant gases from leaking in front of the projectile.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic range containment system for e in an electric/optical or electromagnetic active "radar" type sensor to discriminate against background obstructions within a sensor field of view. The system comprises an intrusion timer initiated by a signal received from a target sensor; a containment interval timer initiated by a turn-on pulse; a transmitter oscillator in combination with a clock generating pulses; a range containment timer initiated by the pulses; a range set-back timer in combination with a range gate and a gate; a range counter for counting and totalling a signal passed through the gate; and a digital-to-analog converter converting the signal from the range counter to the range containment timer providing a range control causing the system to reduce operational range if the background obstructions appear within the sensor's field of view.

Abstract: An electromagnetic detection apparatus for sensing an object, has a transter for radiating electromagnetic energy toward the object. The apparatus also has an array of at least three spaced receiving antennas and one parasitic antenna. The parasitic antenna is spaced from and mounted alongside the array. Also included is a phase detection circuit for measuring the phase difference between signals received by one of the receiving antennas with respect to the other two. This apparatus can sense phase difference and correlate it to the azimuthal position of the object.

Abstract: An infrared reflex device can simulate an infrared image. The device has a latticed panel which has a first and second plurality of exposed elements. The first plurality of elements has over a predetermined infrared spectrum a spectral emissivity substantially less than soil. This first plurality is also a reflector of infrared radiation. The second plurality has greater spectral emissivity and less reflectivity than the first plurality over the predetermined infrared spectrum.

Abstract: A spin stabilized projectile is arranged to have variable flight stability. he projectile has a casing with a cavity that contains a given mass of fluid. The cavity is shaped to provide a balanced flow of fluid with respect to the axis of spin as the projectile is trajected. This balanced flow alters the flight stability of the projectile.

Abstract: A flowing gas source of vacuum ultraviolet line radiation system capable of perating efficiently at low pressures and low power levels. The system includes a source body assembly having nozzle member with an orifice on one end for sustaining an electrical discharge; a vacuum vessel for providing an evacuated region outside the orifice; a cooling jacket over a gas tubular element; and an insulator mounted upon the tubular element by vacuum coupling separating the source body electrically from the vacuum vessel. The vacuum ultraviolet radiation is derived from an electrical discharge sustained in a gaseous/vaporous media which flows through a differentially pumped orifice. The inherent differential pumping at the nozzle orifice results in a reduced gas load to instrumentation which may be operatively connected to the output port of the vacuum vessel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting the impact of munitions in a predefined arget region during weapons training. The apparatus includes a plurality of photo-detectors (12), each of which has a predetermined field of view in the horizontal plane, the target range being defined by the logical union of these fields of view. The impact of a munition within or without the target area causes a signal to be transmitted (14) to a receiving location which is proximate the gun site. At the receiving location (21), the incoming signals from the plurality of sensors are subjected to logical operations (24) which indicate to the operator of the gun whether or not the projectile impacted within or without the target area, or to the left or to the right of the target area. In addition, a running total (79) is kept of the number of successful impacts.

Abstract: A container is partially filled with a meltable body that has a predetermd melting point. An actuating member is arranged to translate through the container and displace the meltable body upon its melting.

Abstract: A segmented sabot utilizes a double ramp configuration and a centrally poioned obturating band in alignment with the center of gravity of an in-bore projectile to improve the uniformity of the shear traction forces at the interface between the sabot segments and a subcaliber projectile, to reduce propellant gas blow-by and to enhance projectile in-bore and trajectory stability. The increased uniformity of shear traction forces between sabot and projectile interfaces and propellant gas self-sealing design permits a reduction in sabot weight of sufficient magnitude to increase the velocity of the projectile at the muzzle exit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in-flight testing of projectile and mor fuzes. A microminiature electronic circuitry in a cartridge form is designed to attach to any of the large caliber shell or mortar fuzes. The test-cartridge is a recoverable, reusable, high-g hardened device. The system for sampling and recording projectile fuzes during a period of target impact comprises: a power supply; a timing and control logic unit; an accelerometer; an amplitude encoder; a shift register; and an interface connector to transform stored information of the fuze functioning characteristics to a ground station readout unit.

Abstract: A detector for detecting radiation from a Q-switched laser. The detector prises a plurality of silicon photo-diodes (10) which develop an output signal when struck by incident radiation from the Q-switched laser. The output of the photo-diodes is connected to a pulse-width discriminator (12) and a pulse-amplitude discriminator (13). The pulse-width discriminator generates an output signal only if the amplitude of the output pulse from the photo-diodes is less than 300 nanoseconds, signifying an input pulse from a Q-switched laser. The pulse-amplitude discriminator develops an output signal only when the photo-diode is saturated, again, indicating radiation from a Q-switched laser. The presence of a signal from either the pulse-width discriminator or the pulse-amplitude discriminator indicates that the incident radiation on the photo-diode was indeed from a Q-switched laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the conductivity or ner of water ion clusters present in a moist air environment. A test chamber is utilized for operatively simultaneously holding a "dummy" reference cell and a "large" conductivity cell having substantially the same leakage resistance. The cells are designed to have "cell factor" ratios substantially different from each other. A D.C. power source with an in series vacuum-tube voltmeter is used to alternately measure the voltage drop of each cell under the similar variable ambient conditions. The conductivity or number of ion cluster present in the test environment is determined by a calculation using voltage compensated values and by graphical extrapolation.

Abstract: An impact delay fuse for a spin launched shell for delaying detonation of e explosive charge of the shell until after impact of the shell with a target. The impact delay fuse includes a hollow housing adapted to be positioned in the shell for rotation therewith in a first direction about a shell spin axis when the shell is launched, a detonation means for detonating the explosive charge of the shell, a rotatable locking member coaxially mounted within the housing for locking the detonation means in a loaded position, and a sensing and firing mechanism for controlling rotation of the locking member to move the locking member to a release position to release the detonation means to detonate the explosive charge of the shell.

Abstract: A torque adapter apparatus for threading an externally threaded base member aving a smooth bore rear end to an internally threaded tubular projectile housing. The adapter utilizes a biased pegged locking plate member to initially retract a plurality of peripherally positioned friction camming elements to permit insertion of the adapter within the base member rear end. Once the adapter is within the base of the base member the pegged locking plate biasedly cams a plurality of tape locking elements into a locked position permitting torquing of base member to the threaded projectile housing.

Abstract: A T.V. camera, mounted on the arm of a teleoperator remotely controlled gping hand, is used to view an object to be grasped through an in-line semi-reflective mirror and a laterally disposed reflective mirror. Alignment of the teleoperator with the object is indicated by a single superimposed image of the object on the television viewing screen. Non-alignment of the teleoperator hand and the object is indicated by double images.

Abstract: A loading head used for pressing grenades or other explosive containers i a projectile has an internal safety switch. The grenades have a transverse safety slider which normally remains in a retracted position but which can fail and extend into an armed position during loading. The loading head has a placing member containing at least one cavity. This cavity is sized to engage the grenade and encircle its slider. Mounted within the cavity is an annular switching device. When the placing member is engaging a grenade, the annular switch encircles the safety slider. In the event the safety slider should improperly release while within the cavity, the switching device is actuated. In a disclosed embodiment, actuation of the switching device is utilized to disable a ram which is driving the placing member so that it remains in position over the grenade or other explosive container. Being retained in this fashion, an operator can safely retract the slider while the grenade is still within the press.

Abstract: A telemetric system has a conductive coil positioned adjacent to a muzzle. burst of transducer data is electromagnetically relayed to the conductive coil from a missile after it is fired. This conductive coil has longitudinally spaced windings distributed alongside the trajectory of the missile. The effective length of the conductive coil is at least in the order of magnitude of the distance traveled by the missile while the burst of transducer data is being transmitted. Data thus received can be utilized to drive recorders or similar equipment. The missile has on its outside an associated missile coil for transmitting the burst of transducer data. The coil is driven by a modulated carrier. This modulation is provided by a delay device that is driven by a transducer. This arrangement allows transmission of data corresponding to an operating parameter of the missile after a predetermined delay.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid control valve utilizes a fluid flow controlling piston in cooperation with a rotatable cap which causes fluid pressure to move the piston to any desired nozzle fluid flow control setting from closed to full open. The piston contains a fluid stream deflector which moves in cooperation with a manually adjusted knob to independently vary the nozzle fluid stream pattern to any desired adjustment from fine spray to straight stream. The simple, easy and quick adjusting cap and knob allows the fluid control valve operator to independently select and change fluid flow rates and nozzle spray patterns as desired.