Abstract: A two-stage aerial vehicle which is launched and accelerated by an integral olid booster. After booster burnout and jettison of the booster nozzle, the booster chamber becomes the combustion chamber for a liquid fueled ramjet. The vehicle is designed for use with known guided missile launching systems and employs unique ram air scoop and control surface actuator structure.

Abstract: An alkaline nickel-zinc cell which has(1) a nickel-nickel hydroxide cathode;(2) a zinc-zinc oxide anode containing(a) a corrosion inhibitor such as PbO, SnO.sub.2, Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, In(OHub.3, or mixtures thereof;(b) a slight corrosion accelerator such as CdO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3, or mixtures thereof; and(c) a zinc active material;(3) a mass-transport separator;(4) an alkaline electrolyte; and(5) means for charging the cell with an interrupted current having a frequency of from more than zero to 16 Hertz with a rest period of not less than 60 milliseconds.Another desirable feature is the use of a pressure-cutoff switch to terminate charging when the internal pressure of the cell reaches a selected value in the range of from 5 to 8 psig.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical augmentation of steady state detonation waves in solid or fluid explosives. Two electrical conductors are disposed along opposed margins of explosive material and coupled across a source of electrical energy. When the explosive material is detonated and as the detonation wave propagates along the explosive material, electrical energy is furnished across the conductors and into the detonation wave which is more conductive than either the undetonated explosive or detonation product gases. The electrical energy coupled into the detonation wave adds energy over and above that which is normally delivered chemically and thus causes the detonation pressure and velocity to increase and therefore increases the ability of the explosive material to accelerate objects and do work.

Abstract: A deep water explosive echo ranging system capable of detecting high perfance submarines by using favorable acoustic paths available at deep depths. An umbrella hydrophone array is deployed from a sonobuoy to deep depths; an electrical subsystem transmits data from the hydrophone array to a transmitter housed in a surface float unit; a multichannel receiver and signal processing and display apparatus in an aircraft receives and processes radio data signals sent from sonobuoy transmitters; and an explosive underwater charge package is remotely triggered by a command generator in the aircraft.

Abstract: Bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)thionocarbonate, [CH.sub.3 C(NO.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 C.dbd.S; bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)thionocarbonate, [C(NO.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.2 O].sub.2 C.dbd.S; and bis(2,2-difluoro-2-nitroethyl)thionocarbonate, [CF.sub.2 (NO.sub.2)CH.sub.2 O].sub.2 C.dbd.S are prepared by reacting one mole of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldi-1,2,4-triazole with 2 moles of 2,2-dinitropropanol, 2,2,2-trinitroethanol, or 2,2-difluoro-2-nitroethanol, respectively. These compounds are useful as explosives and as intermediates for the preparation of energetic explosives and plasticizers.

Abstract: 1. In a homing torpedo, in combination: means for providing a target search hase of torpedo operation wherein said torpedo is controlled to change depth between predetermined search floor and search ceiling depths and simultaneously controlled to circle in azimuth, whereby to execute helical search action; means for switching, in response to target acquisition at any time during a search phase of torpedo operation, to a target pursuit phase of torpedo operation; and means for switching, in the event of and in response to target loss continuing for a predetermined period in a target pursuit phase, to a modified search phase of torpedo operation wherein said torpedo is initially controlled to execute circle search action while maintaining depth position at substantially that at which target loss occurred, for a predetermined period accommodating at least a complete azimuth circling turn, then controlled to revert to helical search action.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a propellant charge by incorporating a support ructure in the propellant charge comprises slowly traversing a flexible perforated material through a propellant lacquer until the desired loading is obtained. Reinforcement by this technique makes possible the use of a double base propellant in high-thrust, short-burning applications.

Abstract: Di-alkylated phosphazene oligomers of the general formula: (NP(X.sub.2))..n NPRR' wherein X represents chloride, bromide, or iodide, R and R' represent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon and n represents an integer from 2 to 8, are prepared by reacting, in a nonoxidizing atmosphere, a perhalopolyphosphazene, a Grignard reagent and a cuprous complex in solution, followed by the addition of alkyl iodide or an activated alkyl halide. Polymers, useful as high-temperature elastomers, are prepared from the above oligomers by heating them at a temperature from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., followed by a reaction with an amine, metal alkoxide, or a metal aryloxide at a temperature from 20.degree. C. to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: N,N,N', N'-tetrakis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) oxamide, ##STR1## which is prepared by the following reaction sequence ##STR2## N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) oxamide is a high density, ergetic explosive which is melt castable as well as thermally and hydrolytically stable.

Abstract: A method for altering the characteristics of liquid telechelic polymers by means of reducing the reactive group content and adjusting the viscosity of a given liquid telechelic polymer. This is accomplished by means of a two stage process which comprises reacting some of the polymer's available reactive groups with a difunctional reactant and adding a diluent to produce a final composition of desired viscosity and reactive group content.

Abstract: A target locating and missile guidance system comprising reconnaissance araft equipped with laser or radar range-measuring apparatus in conjunction with a plurality of selectively predetermined ground stations. Range and altitude of the aircraft relative to a detected surface target are obtained at two or more points on its flight path. The positions of the aircraft with respect to the ground stations are simultaneously determined by pulse-time-of-arrival technique. Using triangulation techniques the location of the target is determined with respect to a pulse grid coordinate system associated with the ground stations. At any time after the determination of the location of the target, properly timed signals from the ground stations or command signals based upon time-of-arrival data with respect to pulses from the missile are used to provide accurate guidance of the missile to the target.

Abstract: A staircase electrode-wall configuration for a MHD generator which uses fd dynamic means to protect the electrodes from substantial damage due to arcing and chemical attack. The electrode walls of a MHD generator duct have periodic conductor/insulator elements where channel divergence or convergence is accomplished in a stepwise fashion. The electrode is situated within the insulator of each element to be backward-facing so as not to be directly exposed to the hot gas flow. The turbulence which exists at the backward-facing electrode moves the arc spot about the surface to prevent severe local damage. Chemical attack is inhibited by a laminated electrode surface of a low corrosive material and the turbulence which aids in cooling the electrode face. Additional cooling may be obtained by a purge jet at the electrode face.

Abstract: An inertial measurement underwater tracking system which determines range sition onboard an underwater vehicle using inertial navigation techniques. The system uses acoustic telemetry to relay the range position from the vehicle to an operations site. The position data is also recorded onboard the vehicle for post-run analysis. An onboard computer receives the inertial measurements from an inertial measurement unit and computes vehicle position with respect to an initialized reference. An acoustic transmitter receives the measurements, formats the data and transmits it by acoustic telemetry. An underwater hydrophone receives the acoustic telemetry and inputs the data to an acoustic processor to reconstruct the original position data. A range computer processes in real-time the data, and displays and records the time history of vehicle location on the range. After recovery the onboard recorded data is played back into the range computer to provide a maximum accuracy, continuous vehicle-run history.

Abstract: Serving as a hydrophone in the lower unit of the sonobuoy, two surface acoustic wave resonators for determining the resonant frequency of two independent oscillators are also used to sense pressure and thus sound. The outputs of the two resonators are mixed and then passed through a low pass filter to provide a low frequency hydrophone output signal and to remove temperature induced signal distortion. A line driver and low cost twin lead transmission line provides the signal to the upper floatation electronic unit of the sonobuoy for conversion to the desired RF carrier frequency. In a single-channel sonobuoy, this signal is multiplied and amplified for transmission to a distant receiver. In a multi-channel sonobuoy, this signal acts as a reference frequency for the frequency synthesizer section of the sonobuoy transmitter.

Abstract: A non-photochemically reactive vinyl type antifouling coating. The particr solvents and their particular formulations are selected to reduce photochemical reactions, principally ozone reduction, and to thereby reduce air pollution. The solvent formulations of the vinyl type antifouling coating are also selected to have higher flash-points and to thereby have greatly reduced hazard in application. The coating formulations are selected for painting and preserving the underwater portions of structures in the marine environment. Typical solvents are 2-ethoxyethanol, n-butyl alcohol and n-butyl acetate. Also included are rosin, tricresyl phosphate, pigments and anti-settling agents.

Abstract: A system for mooring a buoyant case such as a marine mine or other marine vice at a preselected depth below the surface of the water in which the case was launched. After the case has been launched, and made bottom contact, the mooring system utilizes a first piston assembly in conjunction with a corrodible pin to initiate mooring line payout from a buoyant case to an attached anchor. When the preselected mooring depth is reached, a second piston assembly terminates the mooring line payout and the ascent of the case, thereby resulting in mooring of the buoyant case at the preselected depth.

Abstract: A thin-film single-crystal infrared detector exhibiting an increased frequency of response. A closed transverse junction, formed by diffusing a central electrode of an impurity rich metal into a lead-salt film epitaxially grown on an insulating substrate, provides an effective optical area in excess of the junction surface. An ohmic contact is spaced apart from the central electrode. Junction capacitance, a limitation upon the electrical response, is diminished by the detector geometry while detectivity is enhanced. In an alternative embodiment the detector may be segmented to provide directional detection.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recovering and arresting an aircraft or other vele. A boom is swivelly connected to a support structure via braking mechanism. The boom is pivotally connected to the brake mechanism such that it can also pivot in a second, different plane intersecting the plane of rotation of the brake mechanism. A shear pin prevents pivoting of the boom in the second plane until the boom has experienced a predetermined load in that plane. The distal end of the boom distant from the brake mechanism is provided with structure for engaging the aircraft. When the aircraft is flown at and captured by the boom, the weight and motion of the aircraft breaks the shear pin, causing the boom to move in the second plane until engaged by a stop. This rapid change in position of the engaging end of the boom in the second plane prevents the aircraft from pendulating about the boom.

Abstract: N,N-Bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) amine is reacted with methyl, ethyl, or -propyl chlorothiolformate in the presence of titanium tetrachloride to give the intermediate S-methyl, S-ethyl or S-propyl N,N-bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) thiocarbamate (II), ##STR1## The thiocarbamate (II) is then refluxed with sulfuryl chloride to yield N,N-bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) carbamyl chloride (I), ##STR2## which is useful as an explosive and as an intermediate for the synthesis of energetic explosive or propellant compounds.

Abstract: An array antenna capable of simultaneously radiating several microwave parns wherein the antenna elements are individually energized by p-n junction devices that are controlled by electron beams.