Abstract: Provided herein are shaped-charges for focusing a filler, such as a fluid mass, and related methods of using the shaped-charges for disruption of an explosive target. The shaped-charge comprises an attenuating body positioned and configured to attenuate rarefaction waves to increase filler, including a fluid mass, explosively driven out of the container toward a target while also maintaining and enhancing fluid jet integrity. To further control impact and impulse forces on a target, additional layers may be used, including a foam layer and a jet-clipping layer positioned between the shaped-charge and the target surface. Also provided are propellant driven liquid disrupters having special attenuating bodies to improve liquid jet column characteristics.

Abstract: Circuit test devices and methods are provided. The method includes measuring a voltage between first and second conductor points (CPs) of a circuit under test (CUT), and determining if the measured voltage is less than a low voltage threshold value (LVTV) indicative of electrical continuity (EC) between the first and second CPs. In response to determining that the measured voltage is less than the LVTV, the method includes: transmitting a test signal (TS) to the first or second CP, and determining if the test signal is received after being transmitted. In response to determining that the TS is received, a presence of EC between the first and second conductor points is reported, and in response to determining that the TS is not received, absence of EC between the first and second CPs, or a lack of electrical contact between the VMC and the first and/or second CP(s), is reported.

Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for disrupting an explosive device using a propellant driven disrupter (PDD) that propels a rounded projectile (RP) toward an explosive device. The RP travels along a linear trajectory and impacts the target, including a barrier portion of the explosive device. The impacting between the RP and barrier forms a composite projectile via a solid state weld between a portion of the barrier and the RP distal end, thereby minimizing or avoiding spall and fragment generation into the explosive device. The projectile traverses a penetration distance along the linear trajectory, or a defined-angle relative thereto, to disrupt the explosive device without unwanted explosive detonation.

Abstract: Provided herein are shaped charges for focusing a fluid mass and related methods of using the shaped charges for disruption of an explosive target with a spherical projectile. The shaped charge comprises a plastic shell having a special geometric shape configured to support a shape-conforming explosive. A cylindrical plastic body has an interior volume for containing a fluid and the plastic shell. The plastic body closed distal end has a geometric shape that is substantially matched to the shape of the plastic shell. Metal spherical projectiles having an outer layer of metal selected to have an effective density matched to the fluid provide advantageous target disruption capabilities.

Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for disrupting an explosive device using a propellant driven disrupter (PDD) that propels a rounded projectile (RP) toward an explosive device. The RP travels along a linear trajectory and impacts the target, including a barrier portion of the explosive device. The impacting between the RP and barrier forms a composite projectile via a solid state weld between a portion of the barrier and the RP distal end, thereby minimizing or avoiding spall and fragment generation into the explosive device. The projectile traverses a penetration distance along the linear trajectory, or a defined-angle relative thereto, to disrupt the explosive device without unwanted explosive detonation.

Abstract: Circuit test devices and methods are provided. The method includes measuring a voltage between first and second conductor points (CPs) of a circuit under test (CUT), and determining if the measured voltage is less than a low voltage threshold value (LVTV) indicative of electrical continuity (EC) between the first and second CPs. In response to determining that the measured voltage is less than the LVTV, the method includes: transmitting a test signal (TS) to the first or second CP, and determining if the test signal is received after being transmitted. In response to determining that the TS is received, a presence of EC between the first and second conductor points is reported, and in response to determining that the TS is not received, absence of EC between the first and second CPs, or a lack of electrical contact between the VMC and the first and/or second CP(s), is reported.

Abstract: A propellant driven disrupter (PDD) for disrupting an explosive target, comprising: a disrupter barrel having a breech and muzzle end; a projectile liquid or gas positioned in the barrel and extending a longitudinal distance in the disrupter barrel. The projectile liquid distal end is located farthest from the disrupter barrel breech end. A jet stabilizing projectile (JSP) is at least partially positioned in the barrel and operably contacts the projectile liquid distal end. The JSP has a JSP proximal end facing toward the disrupter barrel breech end and a distal end opposed to the JSP proximal end, wherein some or all of the JSP is positioned in the barrel. The PDD may contain the JSP, with an air region between the JSP distal end and the muzzle end, or an air region in an adapter that is connected to the muzzle end. Also provided are JSP's having improved flight stability for use with liquid or air-filled disrupters and methods of disrupting a target.

Abstract: Provided herein are penetrator projectiles for use with explosive ordnance disposal disrupters, and related methods of making and using. The penetrator projectile has a tip, neck, shaft and base, wherein the geometry and composition of the different elements are selected to ensure the projectile is ballistically stable after firing to provide improved free-flight characteristics and corresponding explosive ordnance disruption.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluid jet enhancement adapters for use with a propellant driven disrupter. The adapter may comprise: a first end operably connected to a muzzle end of a propellant driven disrupter barrel and a second end, wherein a longitudinal region extends between the first end and the second end. The longitudinal region has: a longitudinal region inner surface that defines a longitudinal region lumen; a longitudinal region outer surface opposably facing the longitudinal region inner surface, with a longitudinal region wall having a wall thickness that separates the longitudinal region inner surface from the longitudinal region outer surface. The longitudinal region lumen has a first end inner diameter that is substantially equivalent to a muzzle inner diameter. The longitudinal region wall forms a continuous surface that radially isolates the longitudinal region lumen from a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A mast mountable antenna that is rugged, weather-tolerant, and unaffected by the antenna's mounting structure, while maintaining an electrical path for lightning surge currents. The mast mountable antenna generally includes a radiating conductor section, an impedance transformer section, a low inductance feed point, a mounting mast section, a mast isolating stub section, and an integral coaxial feed line.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluid jet enhancement adapters for use with a propellant driven disrupter. The adapter may comprise: a first end operably connected to a muzzle end of a propellant driven disrupter barrel and a second end, wherein a longitudinal region extends between the first end and the second end. The longitudinal region has: a longitudinal region inner surface that defines a longitudinal region lumen; a longitudinal region outer surface opposably facing the longitudinal region inner surface, with a longitudinal region wall having a wall thickness that separates the longitudinal region inner surface from the longitudinal region outer surface. The longitudinal region lumen has a first end inner diameter that is substantially equivalent to a muzzle inner diameter. The longitudinal region wall forms a continuous surface that radially isolates the longitudinal region lumen from a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A real-time quantitative PCR assay that utilizes a duplex, synthetic DNA standard to ensure optimal quality assurance and quality control. One embodiment of the invention facilitates amplification of mtDNA by focusing on a 105-base pair target sequence that is minimally homologous to non-human mtDNA. The present invention can also be used to identify the presence of PCR inhibitors and thus indicate the need for sample repurification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot-wire detonator emulator that has the capability of monitoring switching in a simulated, mock, or inert improvised explosive device (IED) powered by direct current. One purpose of the inventive emulator is to function as an energetic witness substitute by replacing the detonator in an actual IED, thus enabling bomb technicians to conduct bench top and field analyses of IEDs, and to assess the effectiveness of render-safe procedures by, for example, illustrating how a detonator would react in a render-safe procedure.

Abstract: Provided are products used to detect and methods for detecting conductive materials in the presence of non-conductive materials, including non-conductive materials having dielectric properties. Specifically, the product is a conductive thin film detector, which is, preferably, a hand-held device designed to detect the presence of metal in, on, or under an object. This detection occurs even in the presence of non-conductive materials and other nearby conductive materials on objects that are not being tested. The device preferably includes: a power source, such as a battery; a method for activation, such as a press button; the necessary components to send and receive a radio frequency, e.g., a radio frequency generator, an antenna, and a radio frequency detector; and an indicator, such as a light or a meter, to, for example, indicate the strength of the radio frequency signal received.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a sensing device about a pan axis and a tilt axis may include an enclosure, first and second rotatable dials configured to allow a user to adjust an angular pan orientation and an angular tilt orientation, respectively, of the sensing device. The apparatus may include outer and inner concentric shafts attached to the first dial and the second dial, respectively. The apparatus may also include a frame assembly attached to the outer shaft such that the frame assembly rotates about the pan axis as the first dial is rotated. The frame assembly may include a base configured to rotate about the tilt axis and that supports the sensing device. The frame assembly may also include a pin and gear assembly operatively coupling the base to the inner shaft such that rotation of the second dial rotates the base about the tilt axis.