Abstract: A lightweight armor system may comprise a substrate having a graded metal matrix composite layer formed thereon by thermal spray deposition. The graded metal matrix composite layer comprises an increasing volume fraction of ceramic particles imbedded in a decreasing volume fraction of a metal matrix as a function of a thickness of the graded metal matrix composite layer. A ceramic impact layer is affixed to the graded metal matrix composite layer.

Abstract: A hold-down and release apparatus for a flight termination system having a terminal portion for holding-down and releasing a structural object which has an arrangement for attaching to the flight termination system. The hold-down and release apparatus includes several movable clamping segments provided on the terminal portion of the flight termination system that are engageable in a complimentary fashion with the attachment arrangement on the structural object for releasably attaching the structural object to the flight termination system. The hold-down and release apparatus also includes springs for biasing the movable clamping segments means in a disengaging direction that causes the clamping segments to disengage from the attachment arrangement on the structural object to release the structural object from the flight termination system.

Abstract: A short-action firearm has a chamber and bolt assembly with unique pressure, length and diametric relationships. The overall length of the chamber has a ratio to a diameter thereof, at a predetermined location on a wide portion of the chamber, of no more than about 3.5. Such diameter is at least about 0.53 inch, and the length of the wide portion of the chamber has a ratio to such diameter of no more than about 3.

Abstract: A short-action firearm cartridge has unique pressure, length and diametric relationships. The overall length of the cartridge case has a ratio to a diameter thereof, at a predetermined location on a wide portion of the case, of no more than about 3.5. Such diameter is at least about 0.53 inch, and the length of the wide portion of the case has a ratio to such diameter of no more than about 3.

Abstract: A self-propelling projectile allowing restricted local target effects comprises a penetrator core, a charge for at least partially fragmenting the core at a target, and autonomous ignition device for the charge. The penetrator core has a stepped tip with a forward exterior dart angle and a larger following acute angle and a dart shank that tapers towards a rear end of the core. A coaxial cavity is located within at least a rear portion of the core carries an active substance is next to an explosive charge for opening the cavity at the target. The active substance can either be of lethal or non-lethal characteristics. The projectile can be configured to be usable with conventional launchers and auxiliary equipment.

Abstract: A high-precision pyrotechnic initiator is well adapted for rapid, precise ignition of solid and liquid energetics. A rigid housing, for example formed of stainless steel, contains a pyrotechnic. When ignited, the reaction, or explosion, of the pyrotechnic is confined to the housing. The release of energy creates a hot particulate in which the formation of solid byproducts is mitigated or eliminated. The flame is directed through an outlet. In one embodiment, a microcapillary tube may be placed in communication with the outlet, the tube including a primary front vent and secondary side vents, which serve to increase system efficiency and reliability. A dual bridge wire may be provided for improving system reliability. The resulting assembly thereby performs the combined functions of both an igniter and a flash tube and a complete ignition train is provided in a manner that overcomes the limitations of the conventional configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispersing munitions from a projectile using an expandable device. Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for dispersing munitions from a projectile which includes a case, and a core within the case including a plurality of munitions. At least one expandable device is in operative communication with at least one of the munitions, and multiple gas generators are associated with the at least one expandable device. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for dispersing munitions from a projectile which includes separating a case from a core of the projectile, then, after a delay, activating at least one gas generator to deploy plural munitions using an expandable device.

Abstract: An explosively driven impactor grenade includes a grenade body having a substantially spherical shape and a hollow central portion, the grenade body including a plurality of recesses formed on an external surface thereof with each recess including an opening into the hollow central portion of the grenade body, the grenade body including an opening on the exterior surface that connects with the hollow central portion; a fuze disposed in the hollow central portion of the grenade body; a fuze cap for closing the opening on the exterior surface that connects with the hollow central portion; and a plurality of explosively driven impactors respectively disposed in the plurality of recesses formed on the external surface of the grenade body, the explosively driven impactors being connected to the fuze through the recess openings into the hollow central portion of the grenade body.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved precision rocket motor and warhead system by increasing the spin rate of the rocket motor. The system comprises an outer housing segment attached to the end of a rocket motor tube and an annular sleeve placed within the end of the outer housing segment so that the end of the sleeve is aligned with the end of the segment. At least two annular bearings are placed around the outer surface of the sleeve. Normally the annular bearings will be made of a plastic type material that can be “stretched” around the outside of the sleeve prior to placing it within the outer housing segment. The inner surface of the sleeve will include a warhead attachment mechanism to secure the warhead to the inner surface. Finally, the invention includes a locking mechanism that locks the sleeve in place within the outer housing segment while attaching the warhead to the sleeve and unlocks to allow the sleeve to rotate independently of the rocket motor.

Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy penetrator has first and second portions formed of dense material and secured to each other. The first portion, located ahead of the second portion preferably represents between 9% and 15% of the penetrator mass and a similar percentage of the combined lengths of the two portions. The first portion is formed of a material effective to produce a relatively large hole in an explosive reactive armor faceplate. The second portion is preferably formed from material selected to best perforate basal armor.

Abstract: According to the invention, in order to be able to design a gas generator, in particular, for belt tighteners, with a slim housing (1), the electrical coupling is brought about via connection wires (4), pins or cables (4a) which are introduced into the housing (1) via a stopper (5) and are sealed by the latter. The stopper (5) is surrounded sealingly by the housing (1) itself or a holder element (6) sealingly connected to the housing.

Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).

Abstract: A gas generating initiator includes a generally cylindrical body defining an initiator chamber therein, the body being open at one end and closed at a second end by a base, the body having a longitudinal axis; the base including a generally centrally located first passage therethrough having one end on an interior surface of the base and a second end on an exterior surface of the base, a longitudinal axis of the first passage being substantially coincident with the axis of the body; and a plurality of second passages in the base, the second passages having one end on an interior surface of the base and a second end that intersects the first passage at the second end of the first passage, wherein longitudinal axes of the second passages form angles with the longitudinal axis of the first passage and wherein a diameter of the first passage is greater than diameters of the second passages.

Abstract: Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.

Abstract: A linear ignition fuze has a sheath, the inner surface of which has an irregular cross section such that the sheath is capable of forming a gas channel against a single strand core having a substantially circular (e.g. circular or elliptical) cross section. According to one embodiment of the invention, the sheath wall is of a non-uniform thickness having a cylindrical outer surface and a polygonal inner surface. The gap formed between the apexes of the polygonal inner surface and the substantially cylindrical core form the gas channels, while the contact between the side walls of the polygonal inner surface and the cylindrical core confine the core within the sheath.

Abstract: An ammunition base with an electrical igniter located in an axial bore within a cylindrical base, wherein the base is made of a metallic material coated with an electrically insulating material and has at least one non-insulated conductive area constituted by a ring-shaped bearing area of a shoulder of the base or by at least one non-insulated conductive ring crimped into a housing arranged in the base.

Abstract: A portable explosives disrupter for de-arming improvised explosive devices includes a barrel for housing a projectile, a mechanism for firing the projectile from the barrel, a breech which may be adapted to house a variety of firing mechanisms, a light-weight, semi-rigid, three-dimensionally flexible, recoil-absorbing system for orienting the device in relation to a target and minimizing the effects of recoil on the accuracy of the device, and a means for accurately aiming the explosives disrupter at a target. Three different firing mechanisms are provided, the first employing a firing pin and shock tubing, the second employing a metal sphere and shock tubing, and the third employing a firing piston and a source of compressed air.

Abstract: A warhead (10) configuration for forming a large-diameter hole through a wall of a target includes a shaped charge of explosive material (12) presenting an annular front surface portion (16) circumscribing an axis of the charge. The annular front surface portion (16) exhibits a concave profile as viewed in cross-section through the axis, at least part of the concave profile being configured such that a vector projecting outward from the part normal to the annular front surface portion diverges from the axis. A liner (14) is provided adjacent to at least part of the annular front surface portion.

Abstract: A fuze explosive train device for detonating a munition that uses a stab firing pin within a pressure cartridge, with the stab firing pin located between a gas generator and a stab detonator. The firing pin is capable of transferring an energy from the gas generator into the stab detonator in a manner that initiates the stab detonator to a high order explosive reaction. A method of initiating a stab detonator using a stab firing pin also is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel intravenous (“IV”) warming unit warms and keeps warm intravenous fluid bags for use at remote sites under arctic conditions. The IV fluid warming unit is made of fabric cut and sewn to form a suitcase-like folding receptacle, or satchel. The satchel has four inside pockets along one inside surface and overlapping webbing on the other inside surface. Chemical heating pads are activated and placed inside the pockets and IV fluid bags placed under the webbing. When the satchel is closed, the chemical heating pads warm and keep warm the IV fluid bags. In use, the satchel is placed on top of the chest of a patient so that the satchel warms the patient from the outside while the warmed IV fluid warms the patient from the inside.