Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to assembling and testing ampoules, and associated systems, devices, and methods. Each ampoule can include a body portion configured to carry a marking material within an interior of the body portion, and a base portion configured to couple to the body portion to seal the interior of the body portion. The ampoules can be assembled and/or tested in an inverted orientation. In the inverted orientation, the ampoule can include a gap between the marking material and the base portion. For example, the ampoule can be positioned within a leak detection system and the ampoule's gap can be aligned with one or more leak detection components configured to analyze the gap for leak-related indicia.

Abstract: Provided herein are VIS-IR powders comprising tin which show significantly higher visual intensity, reduced reaction temperature and particle temperature during and after oxidation reaction in air, and improved resistance to clumping when compared to comparable powders without tin. Methods of preparation of said VIS-IR powders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are VIS-IR powders comprising tin which show significantly higher visual intensity, reduced reaction temperature and particle temperature during and after oxidation reaction in air, and improved resistance to clumping when compared to comparable powders without tin. Methods of preparation of said VIS-IR powders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a pyrotechnic composition in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes flowing metal powder, polytetrafluoroethylene powder, and binder powder in separate respective feed streams toward an extruder. The binder powder includes adhesive material and polytetrafluoroethylene anticaking material coating the adhesive material. The method further includes interspersing the metal powder, the binder powder, and the fluoropolymer powder to form a mixture. This mixture is then subjected to an extrusion process during which the anticaking material coating the adhesive material is disrupted. This releases the adhesive material to bind together the metal powder and the polytetrafluoroethylene powder in the extrudate. The powder mixture includes no solvent at any time between being formed and being extruded, yet the extrudate is well-mixed and cohesive.

Abstract: Provided herein are VIS-IR powders comprising tin which show significantly higher visual intensity, reduced reaction temperature and particle temperature during and after oxidation reaction in air, and improved resistance to clumping when compared to comparable powders without tin. Methods of preparation of said VIS-IR powders are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ignition composition comprising a low electron affinity material, an oxidizer and a binder. The ignition composition may be made by A1) preparing a coagulation composition by a shock-gel process using the ingredients of the ignition composition disclosed herein, which comprises: A1-a) dissolving the binder in a low-boiling-point polar solvent to provide a binder solution; A1-b) mixing the low electron affinity material and the oxidizer with the binder solution; and A1-c) adding a low-boiling-point non-polar solvent to the mixture provided by step I-b) to precipitate the binder and form the coagulation composition; and A2) converting the coagulation composition into granular composition using a suitable method.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to propellant gas initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer. In some embodiments, cartridge-propellant gasses act upon a piston to break a frangible chemiluminescent liquid chemical ampoule to initiate a luminous reaction independently of and prior to any projectile motion. The piston may be a distinct piston, a separate component functioning as a piston, or the overall tracer container acting in the manner of a piston. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to direct-fire ammunition ranging from small arms through large caliber main battle tank ammunition.

Abstract: A cool-burning, smoke-generating signaling composition free of oxidized-carbon burning rate accelerant or a magnesium carbonate coolant, wherein the composition comprises a mixture of potassium bromate, KCYAH, an augmenting organic fuel, a solid particulate with selected signaling characteristics, and a polyvinyl alcohol binder.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to propellant gas initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer. In some embodiments, cartridge-propellant gasses act upon a piston to break a frangible chemiluminescent liquid chemical ampoule to initiate a luminous reaction independently of and prior to any projectile motion. The piston may be a distinct piston, a separate component functioning as a piston, or the overall tracer container acting in the manner of a piston. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to direct-fire ammunition ranging from small arms through large caliber main battle tank ammunition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the invention, an infrared signature powder (“IR powder”) suitable for marking targets and other objects is provided. The IR powder primarily includes porous, pyrophoric iron and moderators. The duration, temperature, and intensity of the emitted infrared radiation can be tailored during the powder's production process by adjusting the proportion or properties of the moderators in the IR powder. Additionally, a method of producing the IR powder is provided. The method can include the following general steps: heat a blend of aluminum and iron powders to cause an inter-metallic reaction; leach the aluminum from the iron; and mix a selected moderator and a binder with the iron in selected proportions to create the IR powder. Many of these steps are performed in an oxygen-free environment to prevent the iron from prematurely oxidizing. Similarly, the IR powder is encapsulated in an oxygen-free frangible ampoule or other container.