Abstract: Described are flameless tracer munitions that are expelled from land mines or in hand thrown devices, which are used to mark an enemy person, vehicle body, or tires on the vehicle, with materials that emit infrared (IR) light, or heat emitting materials, or with a visible ink or a dye. The subjects are then identified and pursued because of the ink or seen with infrared reading or heat seeking devices. The devices are both long duration (several hours) and also have high light intensity tracing and marking. These munitions are non-impact and non-lethal; are non-toxic, and biodegradable.

Abstract: A machine gun mount for attachment to a movable support arm of a helicopter and for holding a machine gun, the machine gun mount comprising a pintle that is rotatably connected at a first end to the movable support arm, the first end of the pintle providing for rotation of the machine gun about a vertical axis; a gun cradle that is rotatably connected to a second end of the pintle, the second end of the pintle providing for rotation of the machine gun about a horizontal axis; an ammunition magazine disposed on a first side of the gun cradle; and a spent case catch bag disposed on a second side of the gun cradle.

Abstract: An explosive fragmentation munition having a longitudinal axis which includes a cylindrical shell portion having a thickness and an interior; a rounded shell portion having a thickness and an interior, the rounded shell portion being disposed at a front end of the cylindrical shell portion; an explosive disposed in the interiors of the cylindrical shell portion and the rounded shell portion; wherein the thickness of the rounded shell portion equals the thickness of the cylindrical shell portion where the rounded shell portion joins the cylindrical shell portion, and wherein the thickness of the rounded shell portion increases in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for venting munitions exposed to high ambient temperatures. The munition includes a casing having a nose end and an opening in the nose end; a lifting plug disposed in the opening in the nose end, the lifting plug including a bore therethrough; and a seal disposed in the bore in the lifting plug, the seal comprising an ionomer. The munition may further include a fuze well disposed in the casing, the opening in the nose end leading into the fuze well; and a second seal disposed in the fuze well. The seals will rupture and vent the munition's explosive to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An automatic pallet to platform locking system enables pallets of supplies or cargoes to automatically be locked down onto the top of a transportation platform, thus avoiding the use of tie down straps and allowing for automated material handling equipment (MHE) such as a forklift. The present system replaces older, difficult to reconfigure, mostly manual loading and unloading systems and methods with a mechanical interface that allows for relatively easy reconfiguration for different pallet sizes, and that can simplify the task of loading and unloading pallets. The mechanical interface between a pallet and a transportation platform or flatbed is a metal to metal interface. It eliminates the need to tie and secure a strap, which is a time consuming and manual process.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; first and second openings in the wall of the mortar tube, the first opening being closer to a breech end of the mortar tube than the second opening; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the first opening in the wall of the mortar tube; and a shoe assembly disposed in the second opening in the wall of the mortar tube. The spring loaded valve assembly is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the mortar bomb rearward in the tube. The shoe assembly includes a shoe that bears on the mortar bomb to hold it in place when the tube is in an elevated position.

Abstract: A through-optical bench is the optical equivalent of a folded-optical system. Folded optics is generally found in cannon launched guided projectiles and always includes a mirror mounted on a gimbal. Inside the projectile the optical image is hidden behind the mirror and is not easily accessible by measurement instrument. In the through-optical bench the image is repositioned to where it is easily viewed; hence enabling a much finer process to improve manufacturing accuracy and throughput. The through-optical bench uses a collimated beam of light which passes through the seeker nose optical cluster, then through a mask which mimics the mirror, then through an identical optical cluster which substitutes for the reflection, and finally onto a screen to form a focused image directly viewable by a microscope. The clusters and mask simultaneously step through various yaw angles made possible by a reversing linkage that moves them as mirror images.

Abstract: An apparatus (i.e., a combat ammunition pack) for holding ammunition for a machine gun includes a bracket assembly that removably attaches to the machine gun; a belt guide attached to the bracket assembly for guiding a belt of ammunition into the machine gun; a front collar assembly removably attached to the bracket assembly; and a bag assembly attached to the bracket assembly and the front collar assembly wherein the bag assembly can be opened and closed while the machine gun is firing.

Abstract: A sensor including: a base; at least one component which moves relative to the base; and a locking device for locking the at least one component in a predetermined stationary position in response to an external stimulus. Where the sensor is an accelerometer, the external stimulus is preferably an acceleration of the sensor in which case the locking device locks the at least one component during periods in which the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined stationary position can be a null position taken by the at least one component corresponding to an acceleration that is substantially zero or an active position taken by the at least one component when acceleration equals a predicted acceleration other than zero. Further, the locking device can lock the at least one component actively or passively.

Abstract: A low recoil and low bore heat gun system provides a delayed pressure release mechanism for fired propellant charges in the rear gun barrel section. The delayed pressure release of the exhaust gases causes a sonic rarefaction wave along the length of the barrel bore to arrive at the exist end of the gun barrel at a predetermined time, generally coincident with the fired projectile.

Abstract: Obturator ring comprising two or more pieces each being a little larger than semicircle of the projectile obturator ring groove circumference. Each piece at natural position has equal or smaller radius than the radius of the obturator ring groove of a projectile; therefore, each piece expands to be in the projectile groove. Thickness and height of each piece is dependent on projectile's obturator ring groove geometry. The overlap and the radius ensures each piece performs its own grip function independent to the completion of the Segmented Obturator Ring (SOR). SOR seals the expanding propellant gases in the tube optimizing the effectiveness of the propellant while the projectile moves along the gun tube with SOR. After launch, the SOR is totally separated from the projectile minimizing drag effects on and maximizing stability of projectile to enhance dispersion impacts of the warhead.

Abstract: New aza azetidinium sulfate compounds are described which can be intermediates in the preparation of azabicyclobutane.

Abstract: This low impulse payload cartridge for automatic weapons includes a case, a piston, an ogive, a payload cup, a payload, and a link. The payload cup and payload is seated into the forward portion of the piston. Gas passages permit propellant gases to bleed into the cavity behind the payload and to accelerate the payload upon firing. An alternative to using bleed gases is to use a separate propelling charge behind the payload. 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 provides 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: A bipod support apparatus for an indirect fire weapon such as the 120 mm mortar comprised of a 55 degree ramp and a longer travel distance between the low, middle and high positions which allows for the mounting of the bipods buffer mechanism to the 120 mm mortar tube to stay in one location at 15.54 inches from the muzzle end of the mortar tube, throughout all the adjustment positions and elevation ranges (800 mils to 1512 mils). The three positions, in lieu of the current two position system, eliminate the constant changing of elevation adjustment positions. The new elevating support assembly with its new guide assembly allows for a smooth motion/transition between the three positions of the main base assembly. A new locking mechanism rotates a quarter turn (90°) to lock or unlock the elevating support assembly. Such lock or unlock action now only requires a one hand operation to unlock-lift-lock the elevating support assembly.

Abstract: An infrared illuminating composition comprising approximately 70 weight % of an oxidant evidencing strong emission in the NIR region selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate, cesium nitrate and mixtures thereof; 9 weight % of a metallic fuel evidencing low visible light emission, 4 weight % of an epoxy resin binder, 16 weight % of a NIR light enhancer and 1% by weight of an additive selected from the group consisting of a double base propellant material, a triple base propellant material and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An aerodynamic device, such as a projectile includes an elongated forebody, and an aft section secured to the forebody. The aft section acts as a d control device, and includes a connecting member that extends integrally in a conically shaped flared section, for generating a lift force to help stabilize the projectile during forward flight. The aft section further includes a flange that extends from the flared section, and that provides velocity decay and optimal drag, in order to limit the projectile flight and descent within a predetermined safety or emergency range. The flared section is defined between an innermost edge positioned adjacent to the connecting member, and an outermost edge positioned adjacent to the flange.

Abstract: A fuze device for use with a detonator on munitions. A cup and ogive assembly includes an ogive post for aft axial movement upon impact of the device and activation of a spitback lead on the cup. An ogive post activates a first firing pin when the ogive is crushed. A first safe and arm (S&A) device is aligned with the centerplate assembly to provide a first detonator in both the safe and the armed condition by movement of a rotor. A second firing pin is positioned below the first S&A device. It has a blowthrough hole for alignment of the first detonator with the spitback lead. A second S&A device is below the first S&A device, and has a second detonator and rotor that rotates during spin to an armed position to expose the second detonator to the second firing pin. The second rotor is sized and shaped to always permit alignment of the first detonator with the spitback lead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic recognition and identification of concealed objects and features thereof, such as contraband in baggage or defects in articles of manufacture, is disclosed. The apparatus uses multiple energy X-ray scanning to identify targets with a spectral response corresponding to a known response of targets of interest. Detection sensitivity for both automatic detection and manual inspection are improved through the multiple-energy, multispectral technique. Multichannel processing is used to achieve high throughput capability. Target identification may be verified through further analysis of such attributes as shape, texture, and context of the scan data. The apparatus uses a statistical analysis to predict the confidence level of a particular target identification. A radiograph, CT image, or both may be reconstructed and displayed on a computer monitor for visual analysis by an operator.

Abstract: A tungsten heavy alloy composition comprising tungsten, iron and elements selected from the groups X, Y and Z and having the formula W.sub.100-p Fe.sub.i X.sub.j Y.sub.k Z.sub.l. Such that "X" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Mn and Co; "Y" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo and V; "Z" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ti and Al; "i" ranges from 5 to 19.5 weight percent; "j" ranges from 0.05 to 6 weight percent; "k" ranges from 0.15 to 5 weight percent; "l" ranges from 0.05 to 4 weight percent; and "p" is the mathematical sum of i, j, k and l, and ranges from 7 to 20 such that "100-p" ranges from 93 to 80 weight percent. The blended powder mixture thus formed is hot consolidated to full density. The hot consolidated blended powder mixture is subjected to a hardening heat treatment.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device (UUT) is automatically tested for thermal response cacteristics using an automatically balanced Wheatstone bridge. One branch of the bridge is a series of relay connected resistances which are selectively connected to coursely balance the bridge using a voltage developed across the UUT. An FET in series with the series of resistances, in response to the bridge null currents, finely balances the bridge. A low constant current pulse is used to generate a voltage across the UUT and to balance the bridge. A second high constant current pulse is used to measure the transient thermal response of the UUT. The transient test current pulses are generated automatically or manually and whose amplitude and repetition rate are manually set. The pulses are generated by a D/A converter whose output is fed to a constant current generator coupled to a manually settable resistance range for setting the value of the high current transient test pulse amplitude.