Abstract: A hypervelocity kinetic energy projectile has multiple penetrator stages gitudinally stacked one onto the other which separate and fly independently of one another during the projectile's flight. Connecting rods passing through and interconnecting each penetrator stage have notches positioned and sized so that aerodynamic forces acting upon flare tails of the penetrator stages will sever the connecting rods in such a way that causes the penetrator stages to separate from one another in a rearward to forward sequence. Alternatively, time delay fuzes, small explosive charges or other electrical and mechanical systems may be used to control the penetrator stage separation.

Abstract: A novel binder for the treatments of explosives and propellants to produce composition having high energy and reduced sensitivity comprising; poly (2-methyl-5-vinyl tetrazole) and a second polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyledene chloride and polyvinyledene fluoride.

Abstract: An high power microwave expander is provided which decreases the rise time of rf pulses. The expander is a transmission line in which internal conductors are separated and tapered to provide a spark gap with high isolation characteristics at low power. The arcing threshold of the spark gap can be adjusted by varying the internal pressure of the transmission line, injecting a gas such as helium into the transmission line and by providing free electrons in close proximity to the spark gap.

Abstract: A circuit and method of operation thereof for initiating a fast rise pulse scillator in a projectile fuzing system is less susceptible to external counter measures. The oscillator circuit includes an oscillator transistor which has a step recovery diode connected to the base of the transistor. The step recovery diode is forward biased for storing charge therein and then reverse biased thereby producing an internal transient in a tank circuit, also connected to the base of the transistor, which produces a rapid buildup of oscillations.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical amplifier driven actuator spool has first and second vortex chambers divided by an internal piston. A shaft is attached to the pistion and extends out the cylinder. Fluid logic controls the fluid flow in the vortex chambers so that the resulting chamber pressure causes the piston to accelerate. The use of beam deflection amplifiers for fluid control in connection with a push-pull vortex amplifier arrangement results in a device with low fluid flow leakage.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous polymerization process for producing high molecular weight linear poly(dichlorophosphazene) polymers in dilute solution. Substantially pure cyclic oligomers represented by the formula (NPCl.sub.2).sub.n are polymerized in dilute solution in an inert solvent at a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Celsius to 300 degrees Celsius for a period of time sufficient to convert a predetermined percentage of oligomer to polymer. The polymer solution may be added to a fresh solution of oligomer, solvent and catalyst to obtain polymers of greater molecular weight. This step may be repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a particular molecular weight. This invention provides a significant improvement in the attainable molecular weight in dilute solution polymerization, with a very high conversion rate of oligomer. The viscosity of the solution during the continuous reaction process is maintained at a level which may be easily handled.

Abstract: An electronic memory device is disclosed which utilizes silicon-on-sapphire SOS) transistors that exhibit binary states dependent upon the dose of ionizing radiation to which they are subjected. A memory utilizing such SOS transistors may have information written into it, permenently or for a short period of time, by electron-beam bombardment so that the memory operates as a PROM. The memory may also operate as a RAM when a scanning electron beam, in conjunction with appropriately applied biases, is used to read and write information at a high rate.

Abstract: A microwave rf envelope generator or pulse shaper has a main waveguide with two opposing branches connected in shunt to the main waveguide and are terminated with variable positionable shorts. The characteristic impedance of the shunted combination of the two branches equal one half the characteristic impedance of the main waveguide. An incident rf pulse applied to an input of the main waveguide is transmitted to a four way junction formed at the intersection of the two branches. The incident pulse is divided at the junction. Divided pulses are then transmitted down each of the branches and to an output of the main waveguide. The pulses traveling down each branch will have their phases shifted when they are reflected by the variable positionable shorts. The lengths of the branches are adjusted by the variable shorts so that the phase of the reflected and inverted pulses will cancel the trailing portion of the pulse transmitted out towards the output of the main waveguide.

Abstract: A fire resistant composition comprising an explosive in an amount of 41-85%, an additive selected from the group consisting of zinc borate, hexabromobiphenyl, molybdenum flame suppressant, triaryl phosphate ester, calcium formate, antimony oxide, ammonium phosphate, aluminum oxide trihydrate, and organophosphorous diols in an amount of 9-41% and a binder component selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymers, phosphate ester-vinyl chloride latexes, cellulose acetate butyrate, vinyl esters, styrene-ethylene butylene block copolymers fluorinated elastomers, and Plaster of Paris rubberized with acrylic latexes in an amount of 6-39%, all of proportions being on a % by weight basis.

Abstract: A null balanced fluidic sensing system that is less susceptible to pressure upply disturbances includes sensing and amplifying elements in a closed loop arrangement. The differential output of the sensor, developed as a result of an input stimulus, is fed into the inputs of a single sided amplifier. The output of the amplifier is used as a source of supply for the sensor. This closed loop arrangement uses the null offset characteristics of the elements to create a null balanced fluidic sensing system.

Abstract: An environmental charging and detonation system for submunitions has an arnator in which a firing pin or rotor shaft is used for safing and arming, stab detonation, as well as the rotor for the alternator. A ram air actuated ribbon is deployed during submunition flight for arming the submunition and spinning the rotor of the alternator. The alternator generates energy that is stored in a charging circuit. A multidirection impact detection switch triggers a firing circuit that discharges the energy stored in the charging circuit through an electronic detonator. The electronic detonator will reliably detonate the submunition regardless of the submunition impact angle with a target.

Abstract: Shields of tungsten-plastic composite material are strategically disposed termediate neighboring rounds of ammunition containing highly sensitive cyclotol explosive. The shield's shape and composite structure permit the rounds to be more closely stored in tank and depot applications, with reduced danger of propagation of detonation and fratricide hazard.

Abstract: The invention involves the design of a miniaturized piezoelectric pressure ransducer used for measuring pressure-time characteristics in gun tubes during the propellant ignition and burning process. The transducer utilizes a Z-cut tourmaline crystal as the piezoelectric pressure sensing element which produces a finite amount of electrical charge (normally expressed in picocoulombs) for a given change in pressure. The tourmaline crystal is incapsulated in a mechanical fixture which provides means for mounting in the gun tube. Electrical terminals are provided for connnecting to signal conditioning and recording instrumentation. Insulators are provided for electrically insulating the pressure sensing element from weapon ground.

Abstract: A material tester which allows for material characterization under hydrodmic loading including very high rates of loading such as found in ballistic applications, and which includes various interchangeable fittings to allow the tester to simultaneously subject a test specimen to (1) radial compression and axial tension, or (2) radial compression and axial compression, or (3) radial compression and axial shearing stress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the final shape of an explosively formed penetrator, in which a liner is explosively accelerated to high velocity to impact upon a mandrel and form a penetrator whose final shape, surface and mass distributions about its axis and along its length are determined by the mandrel shape. The shape of the mandrel can be varied to produce penetrators of optimal shape, depending upon the intended penetrator use. Such shape definition permits the dynamic formation of penetrators which have favorable static margins, which can be fin or spin stabilized, and which can have favorable shapes and mass distributions for effective target penetration.

Abstract: A composite long rod penetrator formed from depleted uranium and titanium s a longitudinal hardness gradient created by reinforcing the long rod with tungsten wire filaments. The longitudinal hardness gradient increases in hardness from a minimum value at the forward ogive end to a maximum value at the aft end. The longitudinal hardness gradient causes the long rod penetrator to exhibit optimum initial penetrating capabilities at high impact velocities and then after impact and some erosion exhibits superior penetrating capabilites at lesser velocities.

Abstract: An electrical igniter for a regenerative liquid propellant gun is disclosed hich includes a combustion chamber for receiving a charge of liquid gun propellant, an electrode for igniting the liquid gun propellant, and a valve assembly for releasing the igniting propellant into a gun combustion chamber to start a regenerative combustion process therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a chemical reaction by heterogeneous catalysis, in which a surface acoustic wave (SAW) is propagated along a surface of a piezoelectric element in contact with liquid or gaseous substances to be chemically reacted, to thus generate an electric field at the surface of the element which initiates and sustains the desired reaction. The catalysis rate can be varied by varying the frequency and/or intensity of the surface acoustic wave. The surface of the element may be coated with a very thin film of a catalytic group 8 metal which can be penetrated by the SAW electric field. In such an embodiment, normal catalysis proceeds via chemisorption, and the SAW element field acts to increase the catalysis rate.

Abstract: To provide for ease of movement, a decoy capable of misleading smart munins having both radar and thermal sensors utilizes a frame having two sections, with one foldable over the other. On this frame are mounted a plurality of thermal panels for generating representative thermal signatures. In a first embodiment, the order not to interfere with the folding of the frame, a number of hollow polyhedrons used for reflecting radar waves are mounted invertedly onto the frame. In a second embodiment, a number of reflectors, each having in turn a plurality of collapsible right triangular elements, are used for reflecting the radar waves. For this embodiment, since the members of the reflectors are collapsible and would not interfere with the folding of one section of the frame on the other, the reflectors are mounted in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention decoy is able to simulate an armored vehicle by proing for both thermal and radar signatures. The thermal signature is actively generated by a plurality of thermal panels located on a platform which is configured to have the same passive millimeter wavelength characteristics of the armored vehicle. Accordingly, a smart munition, when viewing the decoy by means of thermal and radar sensors, would conceive the decoy as an actual target.