Abstract: Cooling apparatus has a cryogenic cooler which is connected thermally by a heat transfer system to a hot object to be cooled, wherein the heat transfer system is constructed of a cold finger, a heat sink or energy control module, and a thermal diffuser. The cold finger thermally connects the heat sink to the cooler, and the diffuser thermally connects the hot object to the heat sink. The heat sink is formed of a thermally conductive material, preferably lithium which has a high energy storage capacity, and which is enclosed within a housing of thermally conductive material to prevent interaction of the lithium chemically with the external environment. The diffuser is fabricated of solid industrial diamond which has great thermal diffusivity at cryogenic temperatures to distribute, virtually instantaneously, and over a wide area of the heat sink much larger than the hot object, the energy dissipated within the hot object.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector assembly for detection of 10.6 .mu.m infrared laser radiation which has a thin film detector element fabricated from thin film lithium tantalate (LiTaO.sub.3) coated with black gold, and an ultra low noise charge coupled preamplifier optimized for lithium tantalate. A postamplifier includes a low pass filter, voltage comparator, threshold adjustment, and pulse generator.

Abstract: A photodetector array which mounts to a soft hat, such as a military fatigue hat, and which includes circumferentially spaced and outwardly facing photodetectors on radial arms extending from a central hub. A radio transmitter, including an antenna, is mounted at the hub. The arms extend radially outward to the edge of the hat crown, and then extend down the sides of the hat to the band. Each arm has a proximal end joined to the hub, a radial portion extending to the edge of the hat crown, an axial portion extending towards the hatband and a distal end terminating at a photodetector. A wiring harness is molded within the arms and connects the photodetectors and antenna to the transmitter. A fastener is provided on each arm, at the intersection of the radial and axial portions, to attach the arms to the outer edge of the hat crown. At least two of the arm distal ends are provided with attachments for a chin strap.

Abstract: A laser diode optical system includes a laser diode having non-circular beam emitted from a diode emitter junction and having a peak energy centered on an optical axis, a collimating lens spaced from the laser diode with its focus at the laser diode on the optical axis to intercept direct energy from the laser diode and produce a central collimated beam on the optical axis, a paraboloidal reflector coaxially disposed about the laser diode emitted beam and collimating the portion of the emitted beam outside the included angle subtended by the lens, the collimated energy from the reflector being refracted through the periphery of the collimating lens to direct the collimated energy from the reflector into a hollow convergent-divergent conical beam coaxial about the central beam, a plurality of spaced energy diffusing elements on a surface of the lens intercepting and diffusing direct laser diode energy impinging the lens, and also intercepting and diffusing energy from the reflector, producing a spaced pattern

Abstract: The invention comprises a surrogate weapon for simulating the sound and flash of gunfire having a combustion chamber system in which a primary chamber is an elongated cavity, having a proximal end closed with a head and an open distal end. A combustible mixture is injected via electronically timed hydrocarbon fuel and oxidizer pulses into the combustion chamber near the closed end through an annular injector having a plurality of spaced apart fuel and oxidizer nozzles. The fuel nozzles are axially spaced from the oxidizer nozzles and are closer to the head. Thus the injected fuel/oxidizer charge is stratified with a fuel concentration distribution preferentially being richer at an ignition source near the head.

Abstract: The invention comprises a combined machine gun and large bore cannon weapons effects signature simulator having a rapid fire small bore methane and oxygen fired combustion chamber disposed within the combustion chamber of a large bore main tank gun weapons effects signature simulator and supplied from a common source of pressurized methane and oxygen.One embodiment includes the injection of ambient temperature oil into the large bore chamber prior to firing the combustible mixture to augment the flame content of the weapon signature.Another embodiment provides for the emission of hot oil vapor to augment the smoke content of the weapon signature.Yet another embodiment provides the machine gun simulator combustion chamber integral with and in intimate thermal contact with the wall of the large bore combustion chamber, whereby the machine gun combustion chamber utilizes the large bore combustion chamber wall to dissipate heat.

Abstract: A target system for laser marksmanship training devices is comprised of one or more photodetectors mounted on a target and sensitive to one or more pulses of the operating wavelength of a laser beam simulating the projectile of a weapon. An amplifier increases the power output of the photodetectors, and a frequency selective transducer is operated from the amplified output of the photodetectors. The transducer is attached and acoustically coupled to the target and produces a vibration signature simulating the vibration characteristics of a weapon-fired projectile striking the target. A microphone sensitive to the vibration signature of the transducer is acoustically coupled to the target, and a drive mechanism lowers the target out of the field of view of the weapon when the microphone receives a hit-indicating vibration signature from the transducer.

Abstract: A laser operated transmitter is attachable to the barrel of gun and comprises a battery operated power supply; a first, hit-code pulse generating circuit capable of driving a laser optical system and producing a beam simulating a projectile hitting a photodetector target system; and a second inhibit-code pulse generating circuit, synchronous with the hit-code pulse generating circuit, driving a light emitting diode and producing a hit-code inhibiting wide-angle beam aimed towards a photodetector target system worn by the shooter of the gun.