Abstract: 1-Methyl-2,4,5-Trinitroimidazole is synthesized starting from 4-nitroimidazole using stepwise nitration method and further methylation using Dimethylsulphate. It is relatively insensitive to impact and its thermal stability is excellent. The calculated detonation properties indicate that its performance is about 30% better than TATB. It can be prepared easily, with reasonable yield, starting from commercially available Imidazole. Results from impact sensitivity, friction sensitivity, time-to-explosion temperature and vacuum stability tests indicate that it is less sensitive than both RDX and HMX. The good oxygen balance and measured heat of formation data of this material indicate that its propellant performance should be good.

Abstract: An indirect artillery fire control system is shown, in which a plurality of indirect artillery systems are linked with a fire direction system such that a call for fire order is communicated as a fire command to a selected indirect artillery system, with that system being selected by reason of a characteristic of that indirect artillery system.

Abstract: A dry powder fire extinguisher recharging system charges and discharges a bottle with dry powder. The system includes a frame unit and various components associated with it, such as a clamp assembly to clamp a bottle assembly. The bottle assembly has a bottle in a pre-discharge or a discharge condition, and a valve. There are also components including locking plungers, a torque idler to torque and untorque the valve, a fill valve to recharge the bottle assembly, a fill gauge to pressurize the bottle assembly to the required pressures, a recharge line to charge the bottle assembly with the pressurizing agent, a discharge line to discharge a fully charged bottle, and a socket and an extension. The system also has a valve service area to re-service the valve, and a sprayer gun to remove dry powder residue from the valve during re-servicing of the valve.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing galvanic corrosion associated with a fastener of a first metal type and within an orifice of a second metal type for receiving said fastener. The method includes coating the fastener with a corrosive inhibitor and by further coating at least one of the fastener and orifice with an anaerobic composition that expands after the fastener is inserted into the orifice. The system includes a corrosive inhibitor coating at least a portion of the fastener adapted to contact the second metal type; and an anaerobic composition interposed between the corrosive inhibited portion of the fastener and orifice, and adapted to expand after the corrosive inhibitor portion of the fastener is inserted into the orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel polyazido compound: 2,2-dinitro-1,3-diazidopropane.

Abstract: A non-lethal cartridge having sufficient discharge energy for use, without modification, in conventional firearms. When used with a firearm with a rifled barrel, the cartridge comprises a non-lethal projectile having a grooved outer surface and a dense powder ballast. Upon discharge, the dense powder ballast is dispersed. When used with a smooth bore firearm, the cartridge also comprises a cylindrical casing having rifling grooves on the inner surface thereof. These grooves will impose a spin on a projectile fired from the cartridge casing. The dense powder ballast will provide sufficient initial inertial mass to permit proper functioning of the firearm, but disperses and dissipates a portion of the discharge energy, simulating the recoil impulse and permitting the non-lethal projectile to simulate the trajectory of standard ammunition.

Abstract: A structural member of a mortar projectile is inspected. The structural member is a composite structure having a thermoplastic matrix with a filler of steel balls. The composite structure has a central cavity into which is placed a strobe light. Surrounding the composite structure is a detection arrangement having a detection medium of photographic film. When the strobe light is activated the film is exposed and developed to obtain an image indicative of the distribution of the steel balls in the matrix. The image is analyzed to determine if the structural member is acceptable.

Abstract: A mortar bomb retention apparatus for retaining a mortar bomb in a mortar tube includes a lever arm; a lever positioner in which the lever arm is rotatably mounted; a generally cylindrical housing having a central opening therethrough, the central opening comprising a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the lever positioner being fixed to the housing; a shoe disposed in the central opening in the housing; a compression spring disposed around the shoe in the large diameter portion of the central opening; and a shoe cap attached to an end of the shoe, one end of the compression spring bearing against the shoe cap, a portion of the lever arm contacting the shoe cap wherein rotation of the lever arm is operable to force the shoe downward.

Abstract: A hinged explosively formed projectile warhead system eliminates exposure of soldiers to harm in wall breaching operations by providing a lethal mechanism that can be deployed at safe distances, simultaneously breaching a man-sized hole and removing one or more rows of rebar in reinforced concrete structures or barriers. The warhead system employs both a missile system and explosively formed projectile warhead technology delivered to the target from a tube launched platform. A set of warhead arms is attached to the aft end of a missile body by means of a set of hinges. The warhead arms are initially folded against the missile body. After launch of the warhead system, the warhead arms fold away from the missile body. The angle at which the warhead arms are folded from the missile body determines the area of a hole breached by the warhead system in a reinforced concrete target.

Abstract: A mechanism to alter the flight path of a projectile after launch. A plurality of fins are disposed around the projectile and are held in place by one or more caging wires, depending on fin design. In one embodiment, auxiliary fins are connected to adjacent main fins which are held in a stowed position. When released, the fins deploy and present a continuous surface to the airstream for maximum braking action. In another embodiment, each fin is divided into fin segments which are individually deployable to alter the spin or course of the projectile by deflection. Additionally, all of the fins may be deployed to provide a braking action. All of the fins are tied together to distribute and reduce encountered loads when deployed.

Abstract: The compound 3a,8a-bis-azidomethyl-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydro-3H,8H-bis-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a;1?,5?-d]pyrazine, whose structure is depicted below, is disclosed:

Abstract: A high energy propellant, comprising an oxetane thermoplastic elastomer energetic binder admixed with a high energy explosive filler. The oxetane thermoplastic elastomer energetic binder preferably comprises from about five percent to about thirty percent by weight and the high energy explosive filler comprises from about seventy percent to about ninety-five percent by weight of the composition. A preferred propellant further includes an explosive plasticizer, preferably in an amount of about four percent to about seven percent of the plasticizer by weight of the propellant. The preferred filler is selected from the group consisting of CL-20, TNAZ, RDX and mixtures thereof. The preferred plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of TNAZ, BTTN, TMETN, TEGDN, BDNPA/F, methyl NENA, ethyl NENA and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The compound 2,2-bis(azidomethyl)oxirane, whose structure is depicted below, is disclosed:

Abstract: A novel process for the remediation of nitrogenous energetic materials such as 1,3,5,-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) which can be used in situ on contaminated media is provided. The process comprises the bioremediation by one or more miccroorganisms capable of metabolizing the energetic materials. Examples of such microorganisms include Rhizobium rhizogenes, Burkholderia sp., and Cladosporium cladosporioides (ATCC 66669). Strains of these microorganisms have been deposited. The strain designated A1 has been deposited as Rhizobium rhizogenes BL (ATCC PTA-4110) and the strain designated C8 has been deposited as Burkholderia sp. (ATCC PTA-4111) Additionally, with the addition of a carbon source, such as a sugar, the process can totally degrade the energetic materials in two to three days.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-part adapter for more securely holding a blasting cap initiator in place in a demolition or munitions device. This adaptor is an insert component, generally cylindrical in shape and having an inner diameter capable of surrounding a blasting cap initiator, and a locking component. The insert component has a first threaded portion to mate with threaded cap wells of demolition and munitions devices, and a second portion with a plurality of flexible prongs arranged circumferentially around its inner diameter. The locking component is also generally cylindrical in shape and has a threaded inner surface to engage the insert component. The locking component also has a portion of decreasing inner diameter to approximately the inner radius of the insert component, and an outer surface with means to permit application of a turning torque.

Abstract: A single stage kinetic energy warhead using multiple explosively formed projectile (EFP) liners in a stacked configuration is capable of breaching intermediate barriers and defeating a primary target. The main explosive charge is detonated and the subsequent shockwave causes the front liner to be shaped to breach an intermediate barrier. The main liner is formed into a more compact rod-shaped projectile designed to defeat the main target. The weight and volume of the stacked liner configuration of the present system is significantly lower than the weight and volume of current systems. The present system requires a single firing explosive train eliminating developmental cost and complex fusing. The present system utilizes explosive detonation, simplifying the delivery of a projectile and eliminating the need for a missile delivery system. The size and simplicity of the present system allows for portability and use by an individual.

Abstract: An interlocking device for use with rectangular containers, such as metal ammunition containers having a top lid, is shown. The interlocking device comprises a substantially flat plate, coextensive with the top lid of the containers, and having a set of locking tabs to attach to the top lid. The device also has a set of positioning tabs to engage the bottom of another container, when such containers are stacked. The device is attached to similar devices by a set of interconnection mechanisms, which may be male-female connectors located along each edge of the device, such that the interlocking mechanisms on the front and rear edges of the device are of opposite interlocking design and the locking mechanism on the front edge of one device will demountably interlock with the locking mechanism on the rear edge of another device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of novel compounds having the general structures A and B: including 2-azido-2-azidomethyl-1,3-diazidopropane (1), 2-azidomethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-diazidopropane (2), 2-azidomethyl-2-nitrato-1,3-diazidopropane (3), 2-azidomethyl-2-nitro-1,3-diazidopropane (4), 2,2-dinitro-1,3-diazidopropane (5), methallyidiazide (6), a dimer of methallyidiazide (6), comprising 3a,8a-Bis-azidomethyl-3a,4,8a,9-tetrahydro-3H,8H-bis[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a;1?,5?-d]pyrazine (6-Dimer), 1,3-diazidoacetone (7), and 2-Oximido-1,3-diazidopropane (8). Also shown are reaction intermediates of these compounds, including 2,2-bis(chloromethyl)oxirane (9), and 2,2-bis(azidomethyl)oxirane (10).

Abstract: A non-lethal cargo projectile includes a projectile body; a nose cap attached to a front of the projectile body; a boattail attached to a rear of the projectile body; a fin assembly including a boom attached to the boattail; a parachute assembly disposed in a front of the projectile body; a cable connecting the parachute assembly to the boattail; a fuze disposed in the boattail; a first pair of half cylinders disposed in the projectile body behind the parachute assembly; a first circular disc disposed at a front end of the first pair of half cylinders and a second circular disc disposed at a rear end of the first pair of half cylinders; a second pair of half cylinders disposed in the projectile body in front of the first circular disc enclose the parachute assembly; and a payload disposed in a space defined by the first pair of half cylinders and the first and second circular discs.

Abstract: An insensitive high energy explosive is disclosed which can be processed on high speed loading equipment without significant buildup of explosive material on the tooling of the high speed loading equipment. The insensitive high energy explosive comprises (a) from about eighty to about ninety-six percent (80.0 to 96.0%) by weight of a high energy explosive chosen from the group comprising cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylylene trinitramine (RDX), or hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20); (b) from about two and four-tenths to about twelve percent (2.4 to 12.0%) by weight of an energetic plasticizer, preferably a 1:1 mixture of BIS 2,2-Dintropropylacetate and BIS 2,2-Dinitropropyl formal (BDNPA/F); (c) from about one and six-tenths to about eight percent (1.6 to 8.0%) by weight CAB binder system; and, (d) about one half of one percent (0.5%) fluorocarbon additive, preferable a Teflon-type additive commercially available under the Trade name Zonyl® MP 1100.