Abstract: A secondary self-destruct fuze that functions in the event the primary fuze mode fails to function, and that meets the design requirements for a low cost, highly producible no-spin/low velocity operating environment. The fuze includes a bottom plate, two spacers, a firing pin, a striker, a rotor, a pyrotechnic mix, a rotor spring, a striker spring, a weight with a firing pin, a weight spring, a bore rider, a bore rider spring, a housing, a handling safety pin, and a ribbon retainer. In use, the handling safety pin is removed upon loading of the grenade in the main carrier. When the grenade is ejected, the expulsion event forces the ribbon retainer to be uncovered and the ribbon to unfurl, which releases the safety lock feature. The unfurling of the ribbon in the air stream stabilizes the grenade by causing an upward pull force. Simultaneously, the air stream forces the bore rider and the bore rider spring out of the fuze.

Abstract: The precursor-follow through kinetic energy explosively formed penetrator assembly greatly enhances target penetration. It is formed of two sections: an initial precursor penetrator followed by a penetrator encapsulating a reactive material. The target will initially be perforated by the precursor penetrator with the second follow through penetrator containing a reactive material causing internal damage through a secondary reaction.

Abstract: Sensors, systems and methods for measuring magnetic field strengths in both AC and DC magnetic fields by using CMR material in tunable, radio-frequency LC oscillators are disclosed.

Abstract: A secondary self-destruct fuze that functions in the event the primary fuze mode fails to function, and that meets the design requirements for a low cost, highly producible no-spin/low velocity operating environment. The fuze includes an improved slide assembly comprised of an aerodynamic safety release (ASR), a safety pin, a secondary firing pin fitted with a spring, a secondary detonator which is placed in alignment with the secondary firing pin, a slide, an omni directional weight release that operates at various impact angles, and a weight release support. In use, the fuze is fitted to a munition or grenade. As the grenade is dispensed from its carrier, the oscillation of a grenade stabilizer causes an arming screw to back out from the fuze slide, allowing the slide assembly to move to an in-line position relative to the center of the fuze. Concurrently, the aerodynamic safety release is lifted in the upward direction under the force of the airstream, releasing the safety pin.

Abstract: A modular crowd control munition 10 fires a large number of non-lethal soft pellets into a crowd 100 using an explosive charge. The munition 10 contains a pellet matrix 22 that houses the soft pellets 40, and uses a low energy explosive sheet material 50 at the back of the munition 10 to disperse the soft pellets 40. The munition 10 is used for close-in, “last resort”, crowd control to replace the necessity of using deadly force.

Abstract: The invention is a composition containing high loadings of TNAZ that are made by crash precipitation with water as the precipitation agent. The compositions are in the form of powders, which can be formed and shaped by presseing, extrusion, etc. The TNAZ can be from about 94 to about 99% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: A novel cyclotetraphosphazene compound, 1,1-diamino-3,3,5,5,7,7-hexaazidocyclotetraphosphazene, is disclosed which has application as an energetic compound and percussion primer. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the compound.

Abstract: A novel cyclotetraphosphazene compound, 1,5-diamino-1,3,3,5,7,7-hexaazidocyclotetraphosphazene, is disclosed which has application as an energetic compound. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the compound.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of a plating bath comprising trivalent chromium involves the use of platinum anode and a copper cathode wherein the anode to cathode ratio is greater than 2:1 upon passage of a charge having a current density of at least 10 Amperes/diameter2 of exposed cathode. An apparatus for conducting the process is also disclosed. The described process obviates the need for an ion exchange resin and is conducted without the formation of any deleterious toxic sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or system is described which uses the photocharge voltage concept in lieu of optical scattering techniques to measure surface topology and properties of materials. The system is based on the measurement of a small electrical potential difference which appears on any solid body when subjected to illumination by a modulated laser light. This voltage is proportional to the induced change in the surface electrical charge and is capacitively measured on various materials. The characterization of coatings to be used inside the base of guns is just one possible application for use by the U. S. Army.

Abstract: A combined effect warhead device for forming at least one aerostable rod fragment and a plurality of small fragments by explosive formation. The warhead is centered about an axis and contains explosives and liners. A first liner forms an aerostable rod and a second liner forms a plurality of fragments, whereby upon detonation of the warhead, combined explosively formed projectiles are produced including the aerostable rod and the plurality of fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the first liner is unscored and curved, whereas the second liner is scored to facilitate formation of the plurality of fragments. The second liner is almost flat and includes raised portions on its surface to facilitate formation of the plurality of fragments. It is also preferred to include an interface material between the first and the second liner, preferably where the interface material is a combination of explosive material and plastic.

Abstract: A low impulse telescoping cartridge includes a case, a piston, a projectile, and a link. The projectile is seated into the forward portion of the piston. Gas passages permit propellant gases to bleed into the cavity behind the projectile and to accelerate the projectile upon firing. An alternative to using bleed gases is to use a separate propelling charge behind the projectile. The case and piston are assembled and telescopically secured by means of a crimp or other similar feature, to allow relative movement therebetween during chambering and firing. The link may be allowed to move for some portion of the required relative travel between the link and the base of the case. A shoulder on the piston provide a stop through which reaction loads are transmitted to the rear of the barrel during chambering and firing. The piston telescopes over the case during chambering to provide the relative movement between the link and the case base required for weapon function.

Abstract: Storage-stable metal-fueled pyrotechnics and methods for manufacturing such compositions are provided. These are manufactured by granulating a mixture of liquid cyclohexane, powdered metal fuel, optional Teflon® powder, and at least one ethylene and vinyl acetate co-polymer, together to form a storage stable powdered metal fuel effectively coated with ethylene and vinyl acetate co-polymer. This provides pyrotechnics with superior resistance to degradation induced by atmospheric moisture, and having other improved properties. The powdered metal fuel includes, for example, powdered magnesium.

Abstract: A shaped charge explosive device for defeat of advanced armor is presented. In operation, a conically capped hemispherical liner is collapsed in reverse sequence. Detonation of the base of the hemisphere, done earlier in sequence, produces a thick massive jet for initial penetration as a deep crater, in the armor. The conical liner is collapsed afterward, producing a thin jet which reaches the armor deep into the crater earlier produced, at an increased distance than would be usual without a crater. The increased standoff is a further contribution in destructive improvement since adding travel distance to the target for a destructive jet, up to a point, will increase destruction of the target. Various detonation mechanisms, inhibitors, and judicious use of various high explosives and detonation arrangements, all provide the tools for formation of a desired particular two-jet sequence, to accomplish a desired destructive potential.

Abstract: A weapon system includes a gun barrel and a vibration absorber fitted onto a free end of the gun barrel. The vibration absorber includes a compliant energy storage device, such as a spring, and a mass secured to the energy storage device. The potential energy stored in the spring and the kinetic energy stored in the mass inertia are dissipated in part as friction, and re-introduced in part to the gun barrel such that the re-introduced energy is out of phase relative to the gun barrel motion. As a result, the vibration absorber does not totally dissipate the stored energy, but rather reshapes the receptance of the gun system so as to significantly reduce the vibration energy that migrates into the gun structure from known disturbances. This improves the overall accuracy of the gun system. In addition, the vibration absorber reduces the load between the gun barrel and the projectile during launch, thereby reducing the gun barrel muzzle wear and the exit yaw rate of the projectile.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for nitration of N-substituted isowurtzitane compounds with concentrated nitric acid at elevated temperatures to form HNIW and recovery thereof with high yields and purities. Polymorphic conversions to the epsilon HNIW crystal form at quanititative yields are also described.

Abstract: The land mine neutralizing system has a launcher that launches a disk munon, and a means for determining the location of a mine threat. The disk munition is launched in stabilized flight on a predetermined azimuth. A fuze in the disk munition is armed relative to the velocity of the disk munition leaving the launcher, and the disk munition is detonated at a predetermined time that places the disk munition over a mine. A method for neutralizing mines uses the land mine neutralizing system to neutralize a buried mine.

Abstract: A device for use with a weapon having a magazine well for acceptance of a rst munitions magazine of a given capacity. The device includes a bracket having first end sized to replicate the well engaging end of the munitions magazine to permit insertion of the bracket into the well and a second end on the bracket for engagement with a second munitions magazine having a substantially greater munitions capacity than the first magazine. Insertion of the bracket into the well and the second munitions magazine into the bracket permits firing of the full capacity of the second munitions magazine. The preferred weapon for this invention is Model M249 Squad Automatic Weapon ("SAW") or other similar weapons, wherein the first magazine is a 30 round magazine and the second magazine is selected from 100 round and 200 round magazines. The M249 SAW is designed to be carried for use while the operator is standing and also provided with a tripod device for ground mounted emplacement and use.

Abstract: A fiber optic magnetic switch device comprising a fiber optic transceiver ving a light source and a length of fiber optic cable for transmitting light to a fiber optic magnetic switch. The switch includes a magnet, a position biased shutter operably attached to the magnet, a pair of SMA type connectors positioned to align the shutter there between, a repelling orientation magnet positioned proximate the shutter to orient the shutter in a first, secured repelling orientation to allow light through the shutter and further operable to prevent passage of light through the shutter in a second, unsecured condition. An alarm signals the failure of light to be transmitted along the fiber optic cable and through the shutter. Alternatively, the device may include a second fiber optic cable operable between the transceiver and the alarm during operation of the device and positioned to activate the alarm upon interruption of light transmission therein such as when it is tampered with.

Abstract: An electronic light source which replaces the hazardous tritium light sou used in the existing Muzzle Reference System (MRS) found on the M1 Series of tanks. The MRS is mounted near the muzzle end of the gun (opposite the breech) and is used by tank gunness to measure gun deflection for calibration of the tank's fire control computer to optimize accuracy. The electronic light source is an LED which is activated by the pulses from a microcontroller based on the input received from a small, low power, omnidirectional motion sensor which detects the movement of the tank mounted on the tank. In the current implementation, the motion sensor comprises a conductive rolling sphere in a cylindrical chamber having a conductive wall with one electrical pole and end plates electrically insulated from the conductive wall and having the other electrical pole such that movement of the element caused by movement of the cylinder will generate intermittent electrical contact between one end plate and the cylinder wall.