Abstract: A warhead casing defines a geometry that is a portion of a ring having an outer radial wall and an inner radial wall spaced radially apart from one another. The outer radial wall and inner radial wall are joined radially by side walls, while the casing is enclosed at either axial end thereof by end walls. An explosive material fills the casing. At least one initiator is positioned in the explosive material along a radial plane that bisects the portion of the ring. Detonation of the explosive material causes the inner radial wall to form an EFP while the outer radial wall fragments.

Abstract: A self-contained non-lethal munition system is provided for use with a shoulder launcher. A barrel is coupled to a breech end of the launcher and is coaxially aligned therewith. A solid sphere having a hardness in the range of approximately 50 durometer is pressure sealed in the barrel. Launch pressure is supplied aft of the sphere. The launch pressure must overcome the sphere's pressure seal with the barrel and propel the sphere with a kinetic energy of between approximately 135-220 Joules/cm2 for distances up to approximately 30 meters.

Abstract: A scope mounting system includes a one or two-piece base and a plurality of scope support assemblies. Mating portions of the base and scope support assemblies have parallel v-notches engaged with parallel flat lands to set the position of each support assembly relative to the sighting direction of a weapon to which the base is attached. The “flat land to v-notch” interengagement guarantees that the flat portions of all v-notches will engage one another to prevent movement along the weapon's sighting direction. Each scope support assembly clamps to the base in a way that prevents movement thereof in a two-dimensional plan perpendicular to the weapon's sighting direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic gain control system for use with a multiple wavelength laser LIDAR system that transmits sets of time-separated interrogating signals to generate sets of time-separated return signals. A comparator defines a plurality of unique peak amplitudes and a corresponding plurality of unique binary words associated therewith. The comparator receives each of the laser LIDAR system's return signal from an i-th set thereof and outputs a binary word indicative of a peak amplitude achieved thereby. The binary word is one of the plurality of unique binary words. A memory has each of a plurality of address locations defined by one of the plurality of unique binary words. Each address location stores a unique gain value. An adjustable gain amplifier has a signal input for receiving each return signal and a gain adjustment input coupled to the memory.

Abstract: A weapon system and projectile are disclosed. The projectile incorporates a rheological fluid, the viscosity of which is adjustable in the presence of an appropriate field of energy. The weapon system includes a launching device (e.g., a gun) for firing the projectile and an energy field generator coupled to the launching device. The energy field generator provides the appropriate field of energy about the projectile to increase the viscosity of the rheological fluid. The projectile can be non-lethal when the rheological fluid has not been subjected to the field of energy and can be made more lethal when the rheological fluid has been subjected to the field of energy.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining temperature of a low density gas seeded with molecules of iodine. The Cordes bands of the iodine molecules are excited with light energy of a known wavelength (e.g., between 175-210 nanometers) to generate fluorescent emission. At least a portion of the emission's light intensity is collected and used to generate an emission spectrograph. The spectrograph's vibrational energy level peaks are fitted to a vibrational Boltzmann distribution. Specifically, one of the vibrational energy level peaks associated with molecule population in a ground vibrational energy level at a wavelength greater than the known wavelength of the light energy is selected. Next, a plurality of ratios are generated that define a unique linear relationship for a temperature of the seeded environment.

Abstract: A buttstock assembly has a buttstock that holds a plurality of removable and sealable tubes. The buttstock has a butt plate, an elongated body extending perpendicularly away from the butt plate, and a structural web coupled to the butt plate and elongated body. The elongated body defines a central cavity and an elongated cavity on either side thereof. Each tube is sealable and forms a sliding fit with one elongated cavity.

Abstract: A countermass assembly is axially and radially restrained while within a vessel and is dispersible into its component parts upon being ejected from the vessel into an open environment. A plurality of groups arranged axially adjacent one another to form a stack. Each group is formed from a plurality of rings arranged in a nested interengagement. Each ring is an individual ring that is in a non-binding relationship with adjacent rings. The non-binding relationship allows each ring to be separable as such from its associated group when the stack is ejected from the vessel into the open environment.

Abstract: A launcher training system includes a housing shaped to resemble a projectile launcher. A hollowed-out portion of the housing defines a boresight axis. An optical sight is coupled to the housing such that the boresight axis and the optical sight's line-of-sight are fixed in relation to one another. The optical sight further defines a sight field-of-view (FOV) with a first reticle appearing therein. An imaging means in the hollowed-out portion of the housing generates an image in an image FOV thereof. Video signal transmitter are provided to transmit signals indicative of the image over the air waves. A remotely-located receiver station is provided to reproduce the image with a second reticle being overlaid thereon. The imaging means are adjustably positioned such that the image FOV is sighted along the boresight axis and such that the second reticle overlaid on the reproduced image appears at the same position as the first reticle in the sight FOV.

Abstract: A water-activated locking mechanism has a housing with a chamber formed therein. Compressed water-absorbent fiber pellets are housed in the chamber. Ports in the housing allow water to enter the chamber when the housing is immersed in water. Mounted in the housing is a slidable piston assembly that is biased towards the chamber with a first end of the piston assembly residing in the chamber. A pin assembly is slidably mounted in the housing at an angle relative to the piston assembly. The pin assembly is biased towards the piston assembly with one end of the pin assembly contacting an indented portion of the piston assembly to define a first position of the pin assembly. When the housing is immersed in water, the fiber pellets expand and apply a force to the first end of the piston assembly. The piston assembly then slides within the housing with the indented portion thereof moving past the pin assembly.

Abstract: A control knob assembly is disclosed that may be generally used for the quick zeroing adjustment of a dial thereof. A control knob assembly includes a housing with a shaft rotatably supported therein. A ring is coupled to the shaft in such a way that rotation of the ring causes rotation of the shaft. The ring has a plurality of holes distributed therearound and extending longitudinally therethrough from a first side thereof to a second side thereof. A knob is disposed about the shaft adjacent the first side of the ring. The knob is rotatable about the shaft and slidable therealong. A spring is coupled between the knob and ring for biasing the knob towards the ring. A pin extends from the knob to engage one of the holes at the first side of the ring when the spring is free to bias the knob towards the ring. A spring-loaded detent mechanism mounted in the housing engages one of the holes from the second side of the ring.

Abstract: Fragmentation body for fragmentation projectiles and warheads, including an integral fragmentation shell structure made of cast metal, and the shell structure has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface separated by a thickness of the shell, where at least one of the inner or outer surfaces includes recesses formed through part of the thickness of the shell to define a plurality of fragments which remain integrated with the shell structure until an explosive force is detonated in proximity of the shell, wherein the shell material comprises a steel alloy including carbon, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, and the balance essentially being iron. Shell structures of the inventive fragmentation body also have a fragmentation pattern defined via recesses or grooves provided in at least one of the inner or outer wall surfaces thereof to define the size and shapes of the fragment projectiles desired.

Abstract: A one-piece fan rotor optimized for construction and safety performance criteria is provided. The rotor has a hub with a radial cross-section defined by an I-beam. A plurality of unequally-spaced rotor blades are disposed circumferentially around and extend radially outward from the hub. Each rotor blade has a root portion coupled to the hub with the root portion defined by a concave fillet circumventing the rotor blade. For rotational balance, at least one of the forward side and backside of the hub incorporates an axially extending pad. Methods are provided for controlling stress on the rotor and for balancing the rotor.

Abstract: An auxiliary power supply system serves as a consumer's primary power source during selected times and power outages in order to provide the consumer with a continuous supply of AC voltage. A power supply has a rechargeable DC source coupled to an inverter/charger circuit. A first switching means has an input port coupled to an AC voltage source and has an output port. The first switching means, programmable with at least one selected time period, couples the AC voltage source to the output port during a non-selected time period that is different than the selected time period and uncouples the AC voltage source from the output port during the selected time period. A second switching means is coupled to the output port and has a switch coupled between the output port and the inverter/charger circuit. The switch is selectively placed in one of a first position when a normal AC voltage is sensed and a second position when an inadequate AC voltage is sensed.

Abstract: A recoilless projectile launcher system has a projectile residing in a launch tube with a propellant charge coupled to the aft end of the projectile. A first tube is slidingly fitted in the launch tube, is coupled to the aft end of the projectile, and encases the propellant charge. The first tube has a first portion extending from the propellant charge and a second portion extending from the first portion towards the breech end. The first portion has a constant inside diameter while the second portion has a reduced inside diameter relative to the constant inside diameter of the first portion. A piston, slidingly fitted in the first portion of the first tube, is positioned adjacent the propellant charge. A second tube is coupled to the piston and extends towards the launch tube's breech end. The second tube has a constant inside diameter and a constant outside diameter with the constant outside diameter forming a sliding fit with the second portion of the first tube.

Abstract: A line charge assembly and system are provided for use in a shallow-water obstruction clearing operation. Each assembly has a propulsion unit capable of flight through the air, a line charge array, an air-safed water-armed fuze, a first interrupter disposed between the line charge array and the fuze, and a second interrupter disposed in the line charge array. The line charge array is defined by a plurality of line charges successively coupled to one another by a detonation line capable of transferring detonation energy therealong successively to each line charge. The line charge array has a first end coupled to the propulsion unit and has a second end coupled to the first interrupter. The fuze generates the detonation energy at the expiration of a first time period provided the fuse is in water. The first interrupter permits the detonation energy to be transferred from the fuze to the second end of the line charge array until the expiration of a second time period.

Abstract: A line charge assembly and system are provided for use in a shallow-water obstruction clearing operation. Each assembly has a propulsion unit capable of flight through the air, a line charge array, an air-safed water-armed fuze, and at least one explosive diode. The line charge array is defined by a plurality of line charges successively coupled to one another by a line capable of transferring detonation energy therealong successively to each of the line charges. One end of the line charge array is coupled to the propulsion unit and the other end is coupled to the fuze. The fuze is capable of generating the detonation energy only when in water. The explosive diode is positioned in the line charge array to limit transfer of the detonation energy in a direction of propagation running from the fuze to the propulsion unit. The system utilizes a plurality of the line charge assemblies deployed over an area.

Abstract: A resettable trigger mechanism has an activating rod with a first portion slidably mounted in a housing and a second portion extending from the housing. The activating rod has a notch formed in its first portion. A trigger is coupled to the activating rod's second portion. A first spring coupled between the activating rod and housing biases the second portion towards the housing. A reset rod has a first section slidably mounted in the housing and a second section extending from the housing. The reset rod has a cutout portion formed in its first section for slidingly receiving therethrough the first portion of the activating rod. A second spring is coupled between the reset rod and housing for biasing the second section away from the housing. When the trigger is activated, the activating rod is pulled from the housing to align its notch with the cutout portion of the reset rod so that the reset rod can move under the force of the second spring until the reset rod's cutout portion engages the notch.

Abstract: A bayonet lug clamp and mount assembly is provided for use with a rifle having a T-shaped bayonet lug with slots formed in a central portion thereof. A housing is configured to slidingly engage the bayonet lug. A lever incorporating an accessory mounting rail is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement towards and away therefrom. A jaw is movably mounted in the housing and has teeth that are aligned with the slots in the bayonet lug when the housing is slid thereon. A piston/cylinder assembly is coupled to the lever and to the jaw. When the lever is pivoted towards the housing with the teeth aligned with the slots in the bayonet lug, the piston/cylinder assembly presses the jaw against the bayonet lug as the teeth engage the slots. The lever can be locked to the housing in order to assure that the clamp does not move when the rifle is fired.

Abstract: A self-propelled brushless surface cleaner with reclamation is provided as a self-contained vehicle. A cleaning head mounted to the vehicle extends forward therefrom. The cleaning head has a deck and a skirt extending from the deck such that when the skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is defined. The cleaning head has at least one vent port formed in a forward portion thereof and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion thereof. Nozzles are mounted in the cleaning volume for movement therein when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom. A liquid supply system supplies the liquid under pressure to the nozzles so that the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by the liquid to produce a mixture of the liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned.