Abstract: A projectile (and munition including the projectile) and a method of assembling the same, includes a body having a cavity, a propellant disposed in the cavity and a base including an ignition flash column extending into the cavity containing the propellant and a nozzle formed so as to be openable and closeable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ballistic ammunition or projectile that is non-lethal or has controlled effects, of small or medium caliber. An internal structure is provided, made of a low-density cellular material with an elongation at break of less than 10%. An external casing encases the structure. The casing is made of a low hardness material with an elongation at break in excess of 100%. The casing is attached to the structure. The projectile may contain at least one cavity containing a different material from that of the structure and may also contain a payload.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing and a diffuser connected to the housing. The diffuser has a cup-like shape and includes an opening portion joined to the housing and a circumferential wall portion provided with gas discharge ports. A partition plate is attached to the opening between the housing and the diffuser for closing the opening. The diffuser has first and second tubular space portions therein communicating with each other, the first tubular space portion facing the partition plate, and the second tubular space portion communicating with the gas discharge ports. A step is formed between the first and second tubular space portions such that the inner diameter of the first tubular space portion is larger than the inner diameter of the second tubular space portion, and a cross-sectional area of the second tubular space portion is smaller than the total opening area of the gas discharge ports.

Abstract: A bullet-orienting system applies bullets to a feed tube from a source of bullets. The bullets each have a tip-end and a base-end. The bullet-orienting system includes a bullet conveyance that conveys bullets, in tip-end-down and tip-end-up orientations, from a source of bullets to a feed tube along a bullet conveyance path. A bullet-orienting structure comprising a block, a nose guide forming a ledge, a groove, and a tapered opening, and a ramp is disposed proximate the bullet conveyance path. For each tip-end-up oriented bullet, the bullet-orienting structure interacts with the tip-end-up bullet and flips the tip-end-up bullet relative to the bullet conveyance from the tip-end-up orientation to the tip-end-down orientation prior to application to the feed tube.

Abstract: A method for detonating a munition comprising the steps of providing a plurality of micro-detonators and microprocessors in said munition and initiating said micro-detonators in a predetermined sequence by means of said microprocessor. Depending on the specific predetermined sequence which is selected, one of a variety of explosive modes may be achieved.

Abstract: An auxiliary safety mechanism for a grenade to prevent detonation from shockwaves, heat, fragments, etc., the grenade including a fuse housing containing a delay detonator and explosive train. In at least one embodiment, the fuse housing includes a reversible slider element interposed between the delay detonator and the rest of the explosive train to form a barrier therebetween when the grenade is in an unarmed condition, and when the slider element is withdrawn the barrier between the delay detonator and explosive train is removed leaving the grenade in an armed condition. In another embodiment, a further safety mechanism involves connecting the two sections of the housing with a weak connection that ruptures prior to the explosive contained therein reaching the critical explosive temperature/pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a less lethal munition including a ring airfoil projectile. The flight trajectory of the projectile has increased accuracy resulting from the aerodynamic stabilization of the projectile. In some embodiments, the projectile is both aerodynamically stabilized and spin stabilized.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first chamber activatable to provide a first quantity of gas and a second chamber activatable independently of the first chamber to provide a second quantity of gas. A single opening enables fluid communication between the second chamber and the first chamber. A barrier seals the opening to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers prior to activation of the second chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge ammunition load and/or method. Such a load may comprise a shot casing, a combustible propellant charge, a wad, and a plurality of shot. The shot may include shot of a first size and a second size, wherein the second size is within 80-95% of the first size. The first-size shot may be arranged in a stack of one or more planar rings, and may have the second-size shot disposed in a central interstice of one or more of the rings. Embodiments may include any number of layers of shot of the first and second size, and the second-size shot need not be present between every pair of adjacent layers of first-size shot.

Abstract: A connector (30) which connects a detonator to a two-wire harness (14) from a control unit (12) and which includes a timer which, after a timing interval, enables the connection of a following detonator in a sequence to the harness (12).

Abstract: A kinetic energy penetrator with a longitudinal axis may include a forward segment having a lateral surface, a rear surface, and at least one air bleed channel extending from the lateral surface to the rear surface. A second segment may be disposed aft of and torsionally engaged with the forward segment. The second segment may include a front surface adjacent the rear surface of the forward segment. The forward and second segments may each be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis of the penetrator. When the penetrator is in flight, bleed air through the bleed channels may impinge on the front surface of the second segment. The second segment may separate from the front segment. Kinetic energies of each of the forward and second segments may be less than about 75 joules upon impact with a ground surface.

Abstract: A safety and arming device may include a substrate and a frame fixed to the substrate. The frame may include a travel slot, a head socket, first and second gas expansion chambers having respective first and second nozzles, and first and second safety catch surfaces disposed adjacent to the respective first and second nozzles. A slider may be translatably disposed in the travel slot in the frame. The slider may include a latching head operable to latch in the head socket in an armed position of the device, a storage cavity for storing an explosive charge, first and second cantilevered arms disposed axially apart from each other and angled outwardly from the slider, and first and second deactivation cavities disposed adjacent to the respective first and second cantilevered arms. A spring may bias the slider away from the head socket.

Abstract: A kinetic energy training cartridge simulates the performance, weight, length, and external geometry of a tactical cartridge. The training cartridge includes a cartridge case and a projectile that is secured to cartridge case by means of a sabot. The sabot includes a rearward extension that encapsulates part of the projectile, to add weight and to increase a length to diameter ratio of the projectile, so as to decrease an intrusion volume of the projectile within the cartridge case. In a preferred embodiment, the length to diameter ratio of the projectile is at least 15.

Abstract: A projectile assembly 10 includes an individual projectile 20 and a composite projectile 30. The individual projectile 20 has a communicating portion 22. The composite projectile 30 includes at least one flechette 32. Prior to the projection of the projectile assembly 10, the composite projectile 30 is located adjacent to the communicating portion 22 of the individual projectile 20. The individual projectile 20 and the composite projectile 30 are structured and disposed for separating from one another after the initial projection of the projectile assembly 10.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose projectile assembly includes an anti-personnel projectile, an armor-penetrating projectile, a propellant, a base bleed gas, and a primer. The anti-personnel projectile includes a cavity having a scored surface and is made out of a soft metal. The armor-penetrating projectile is made from a hard metal and is housed partially within the cavity of the anti-personnel projectile prior to firing from a weapon. The propellant and the primer are both housed within the cavity. The firing of the projectile assembly causes the armor-penetrating projectile to drive into the primer, thereby detonating the primer, causing the detonation of the propellant, thereby increasing the pressure of the cavity and causing the two projectiles to separate after the projectile assembly leaves the bore of the weapon. The burning of the propellant releases a base bleed gas that reduces the drag experienced by the anti-personnel projectile.

Abstract: A method of modifying a projectile includes removing material from an aft end of the projectile, and coupling a device to the aft end. The method may be used to convert a spin-stabilized projectile into a fin stabilized projectile, by modifying the aft end of a spin-stabilized projectile to accept a fin kit. The modifying may involve removing material with lathe, and may include forming external threads on the aft end that may engage corresponding internal threads on the device, to effect the coupling of the device to the aft end. The modification method allows versatility in employing projectiles, including existing stocks of projectiles. In particular the method allows spin-stabilized projectiles to be converted to more accurate fin-stabilized projectiles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a blast hole which method comprises the steps of: drilling a blast hole; placing explosives in the blast hole; filling the blast hole with a stemming material comprising a cement composition and water wherein the weight ratio of water to solids content of the stemming material is at least about 1:1.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for large bore gun systems having an integrated retention assembly for maintaining propellant charges within the cartridge case. The cartridge case having an interior space for receiving propellant charges and an open proximate end through which the propellant charges can be fed. An insulating sleeve defining an interior channel is affixed to the cartridge case and extends out of the proximate end of the cartridge case. The interior channel serves as a chute through which propellant charges can be fed. After the propellant charges are loaded, the insulating sleeve is crimped closed to retain the propellant charges within the cartridge case. A closure plug can be inserted into the proximate end of the cartridge case after the insulating sleeve is crimped closed.

Abstract: A remote initiator breaching system for initiating breaching charges over a short range requiring no physical link between the breacher and the demolition charge. The remote initiator breaching system has at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, at least one shock tube connectable to a breaching charge and a power source for each of the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is able to generate and transmit a coded signal. The transmitter has an input for inputting operational commands into the transmitter for generating the coded signal, The transmitter has a plurality of channels representing different frequency bands, and multiple addresses for each channel such that transmission of the coded signal from the transmitter to the receiver is possible per individual addresses or all addresses simultaneously.

Abstract: A cartridge useful as an activator of other systems, and related method of manufacture. The cartridge's casing includes a fuse delimited by placing a plate at each end staked to the casing for fixing the fuse. This configuration permits precise control of the length of the fuse during manufacture, eliminates the need for separate structures in the casing to aid fuse location, and simplifies manufacture and assembly. This configuration supports the fuse lessening stresses that can lead to fractures. A portion of the casing is thinned by a preselected amount to permit fracturing of the casing to launch the projectile. The projectile may be attached to the cartridge casing more simply, e.g. by screw threading.