Abstract: A gun propellant having reduced sensitivity to impact and improved burning ate, comprising crystallized NNHT particles admixed with a binder and at least one plasticizer. In a preferred embodiment, the binder is a nitrocellulose binder and the plasticizer is a liquid nitramine plasticizer. A preferred liquid nitramine plasticizer is selected from the group of ethyl nitrato ethyl nitramine and methyl nitrato ethyl nitramine. The propellant of this invention may be used or alone or may also include a quantity of RDX propellant. The propellant is suitable to be formulated for an artillery application or for a tank system.

Abstract: A method of producing an energetic composition comprising the steps of (a) issolving an alkali metal hydroxide in aqueous denatured alcohol to form an alcohol and alkali metal hydroxide solution; (b) kneading phenolphthalein or other reaction product of a phenolic compound and phthalic anhydride with sulfur, potassium nitrate and said alkali metal hydroxide solution formed in step (a); (c) allowing the kneaded product formed in step (b) to dry through evaporation of the aqueous denatured alcohol; (d) granulating the dried product formed in step (c); and (e) further drying the granulated product formed in step (d). An alternate method is also disclosed in which an alkali metal salt of phenolphthalein is used so as to avoid use of the alkali metal hydroxide in the aqueous denatured alcohol. Granular products are disclosed and closed bomb test results are presented. Certain products match the performance of commercial black powder.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a military cannon as typically unted within the turret of a military armored vehicle such as an armored tank. My invention teaches method and apparatus for the catching and entrapping the stub case typically ejected from the breech of a military cannon after firing of an ammunition round. Subsequent to entrapment of the ejected stub case, the stub case catcher is raised to a preferred elevated angle simultaneously storing potential energy within a torsion bar which upon later release, ejects the entrapped stub case from the catcher and from the vehicle. By use of my invention and an automatic ammunition loader the crew requirements of such fighting vehicles may be reduced by eliminating the need for a human loader.

Abstract: A grenade launching apparatus launches a number of grenades and has a conller and a launcher. The controller controls the launching and includes a selector which is responsive to operator input for selecting one or more of the grenades to be launched. The controller also includes a display for indicating that a selected grenade has been launched. The launcher is for launching one or more of the grenades and includes a firing circuit which is responsive to the selector. The firing circuit activates the launcher to launch each selected grenade. The launcher also includes a launch detector for detecting that a selected grenade has been launched by the firing circuit. The display of the controller is responsive to the launch detector.

Abstract: A small arms projectile containing a series of vents or apertures in a geometric arrangement such that the projectile's leading edge is capable of penetrating the target without structural failure and depositing the majority of its residual energy in the target. In addition, the design of the body allows the projectile to be spin stabilized when fired from any suitable weapon.

Abstract: An apparatus which serves to control automatically the speed of a pump acding to the temperature of the oil being pumped from a reservoir. The controller is comprised of a parallel bank of thermal switches each connected to its dropping load resistor through a series isolation relay which places the load on a motor which drives the oil pump directly related to the viscosity of the oil in the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved process of making a highly impact insensitive form of HMX cal Alpha HMX has been accomplished. Test results of insensitive impact from drop heights of 5 to 10 times greater than Beta HMX, the conventional explosive, has been successfully achieved. This accomplishment has been achieved without the addition of any additives, and is attributed to the attainment of small particle size, whole crystals, narrow size distribution, and sample purity.

Abstract: A particulate obscurant disseminator couples the shaft power of the host vehicle through a clutch and fluid coupling to a high ratio gear box whose output shaft drives a compressor of an automative-type turbocharger whose air output is fed to the input of a venturi type ejector where additional air flow is induced and mixed with pariculate from a bin supply to form an obscurant cloud.

Abstract: 1,3,5-TRINITROHEXAHYDRO-1,3,5-TRIAZINE (RDX) is prepared in a new simplif and efficient manner which provides near quantitative yield. Our process is based upon the nitration of 3,7-DIACETYL 1,3,5,7 TETRAAZA[3.3.1.]BICYCLONONANE (DAPT).

Abstract: An optically set fuze system for a projectile for a cannon, or the like. optically set fuze system includes a projectile, a laser beam processing interior circuit and an exterior laser means, which transmits to the laser beam processing interior circuit a composite laser beam for supplying power and for setting timing in the fuze system.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous moving bed reactor, useful for the prration of 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,5,7-tetraazabicyclo-3.3.1-nonane (DAPT). The reactor makes novel use of water, a known catalyst for said reaction. However, in this invention, the water is present as ice. The ice is made to automatically promote and moderate the reaction as well as regulate the flow of hexamine into the reactor. These automatic functions are achieved by mixing ice with hexamine, the latter is one of two principle reactants used, to generate a standing bed of slurry. When melted at its base, the slurry advanced under the influence of gravity. The melting of the ice being caused by local application of the second principle reactant, acetic anhydride, which is a liquid.The apparatus is constructed in the following way. A tube shaped reservoir for containing the cited slurry is open at the top end and terminates at its bottom end by a porous compartment. The latter compartment openly retains the slurry. A fluid delivery device, i.

Abstract: A device for swabbing artillery cannon chambers, obturators and the like. e device includes a cylinder for holding a fluid such as water and also has a gas pressure source such as a hand operated air pump for placing the fluid in the cylinder under a positive pressure. The gas pressure or air pressure is adjustably controllable. Also included is a tube extension in communication with the cylinder to receive the fluid under slight pressure. The tube extension includes a valve for controllably introducing water under pressure into the tube extension. A sponge is mounted on the other end of the tube so as to absorb water through the tube to wet the sponge. The device is controlled with a handle on the cylinder to permit insertion and removal of the sponge into a cannon chamber while the sponge contains some of the fluid. The hand operable pump is axially centered about the axis of the cylinder for adding air pressure in the cylinder.

Abstract: A system for remotely detecting liquid contaminants on surfaces, including hemical agents and their simulants is presented. The system includes a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroradiometer aligned to optionally develop graybody photoluminescence spectra from the generation of a plurality of interferograms co-added to provide a favorable signal to noise ratio for use with and thereafter transforming the co-added interferograms. A laser is used for surface irradiating a substrate potentially having the chemical agents to heat the substrate. A shutter controls the laser to receive and record photoluminescence emissions from the heated substrate, and generate a plurality of interferograms co-added to provide a favorable signal to noise ratio for use with the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroradiometer. The co-added interferograms are used to generate molecular absorption resonant peaks which are mathematically processed in the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroradiometer.

Abstract: An efficient direct functionalization of nitrocubanes has been achieved by irradiation of a solution in an oxalyl halide to yield halogenated and halocarbonylated derivatives of nitrocubanes.

Abstract: A low cost warning system for armored vehicles which uses multiple sensors ontaining detectors for IR and millimeter wave signals emanated by attacking missiles and/or projectiles to allow the launching of screening grenades. The sensors telemeter their coded signals to a receiver inside the vehicle which process the coded signals to direct the exercise of an active screening defense.

Abstract: A method for measuring the azimuth angles of grenade launcher tubes quickly nd directly, uses an easily fabricated, portable fixture and a commercially available hand-held electronic compass. There is not need for a precise set-up of complex equipment or mathematical computations.

Abstract: A projectile-sabot assembly includes a projectile rod enclosed by a pluray of sabot pieces and a plurality of heat sensitive shape memory alloy metal shims positioned so that when the assembly is fired, the shims heat up and expand to exert separating forces on the sabot pieces.

Abstract: A minimum hazard visual screening cloud is formed by vaporizing diesel fuel nside a vehicle exhaust manifold pipe which, upon entering the ambient atmosphere, condenses into an aerosol comprised of small droplets, thereby producing a large sustaining cloud which obscures both the vehicle and the adjacent downwind areas.

Abstract: A NBC hardened double shot grenade launcher utilizes a latching relay and delays to sequentially activate two secondary relays. The delays keep the latching relay from operating until a relay switch transfers supply voltage to enable firing of double the number of salvos without modification of the original supply line.

Abstract: A control system is provided for igniting and dispensing a smoke pot for ense of a hulled vehicle. The system utilizes a command circuit located inside the vehicle for using the vehicles power source to select smoke pot operations. A user can select an operation to ignite a desired smoke pot or an operation to ignite and release the smoke pot. Two power lines are arranged from the command circuit inside the vehicle to a control circuit located at the exterior of the hull for operating the smoke pot control system. A minimum number of apertures are required in leading the power lines to the control circuit. The control circuit activates the selected operations of the smoke pots.