Abstract: A casing for a projectile that includes a combustible propellant container is improved by the addition of a flexible spring steel bearing plate that includes a number of holes for the purpose of facilitating combustion of the propellant container and a number of radial slits to increase the plate's flexibility.

Abstract: A device for providing fold out fins for stabilizing projectiles or missi which may be tube-launched. The missile is provided with a tubular element or cup which has a plurality of slots defining fin-like stabilizing flaps. The slots extend circumferentially around two sides of the flaps; a third slot interconnects the circumferential slots, while a fourth side is unslotted. Since the tubular element is in fluid communication with the pressure within the launcher, the stabilizing flaps or fins expand outwardly into position about the fourth unslotted side as the missile or the projectile leaves the launcher.

Abstract: A safety filler for underloaded firearm cartridges, in which the volume of powder is less than the volumetric capacity of the powder chamber. The filler comprises a sleeve that is inserted into the powder chamber, which radially reduces the typical interior volume of a cartridge shell so that a lesser amount of powder charge fills the remaining space to about 90% of its available capacity. Being preferably made of a flexible and resilient material, the filler sleeve can be inserted into a cartridge shell having a necked-down configuration. The specific configuration of the filler sleeve provides for a reduced volume powder chamber within the cartridge to allow an even distribution of the powder which will burn evenly and uniformly, allowing safe firing of the bullet.

Abstract: A missile for discharge towards a target, comprises a power source, an explosive charge, a release unit, and a sensor means adapted to influence the release unit in response to certain conditions appearing during the flight of the missile towards the target. The missile further comprises a plurality of explosive elements which have their own power source, explosive charge, detonator unit and sensor means, and which under the influence of the release unit are separated from the missile and independently thereof approach the target for under certain conditions sensed by the sensor means to detonate individually at a desired distance from the target. The power source of each explosive element is a chargeable condensor battery which during the flight of the missile is connected to and charged by the power source of the missile. The power source of the missile comprises a rotating generator mounted in the front part of the missile and driven by ram-air during the flight thereof.

Abstract: An igniter for a detonator comprising, an electrode having a first face, a second electrode, having a second face disposed in a facing position a predetermined distance from the first face, and a particulate electrically resistive composition packed in the space between said faces.

Abstract: An out-of-line igniter assembly having a primer located out-of-line of an nition train and movable to an in-line position for ignition of a main pyrotechnic charge. A housing has a raceway connected with a gas expansion chamber and a pellet chamber, and a slider having a primer and a striker assembly is movable in the raceway. Premature detonation of the primer causes the primer to fire into the gas expansion chamber but, in normal operation, the slider is moved so that the primer is fired into the pellet chamber. Movement of the slider causes the striker assembly to actuate when the slider is in an in-line position with the pellet chamber.

Abstract: A sabot, having four quadrant sections, for use in testing of impact damage of metal fragment-type products. The quadrant sections include molded alignment guides and a depression which forms a central cavity for holding payloads. Recesses are provided in the quarter sections to reduce weight. An external gas plug flare is provided on the external surface of the sabot. The sabot has a conical recess at the forward end with a hole into the interior of the sabot to enhance separation of the quadrant sections after the sabot has left the gun barrel.

Abstract: A self-scuttling buoyant pyrotechnic marine marker. A scuttling pellet of incendiary composition is provided adjacent the pyrotechnic candle, to be ignited as the candle becomes spent and to burn a hole in the side of the jacket, or to clear impurities or residue which may have built up during burning of the candle to block the smoke or flame emission hole of the marker. Scuttling is then virtually assured by simple wave action. In this way, the hazard of spent markers being washed ashore to pose a danger to humans or to pollute the environment is reduced.

Abstract: A device for creating a sparking voltage across the electrodes of a spark plug of an internal combustion engine comprising a rotatable member carrying a permanent magnet having an outwardly extending flux field movable in an annular path, a transformer having a first winding for creating a current change of a spark creating level and a second winding connected across the electrodes, a Hall Effect switch activated by a D.C. biasing voltage and having an output energized when the switch is exposed to a flux field, switching means for rapidly changing current flow in the first winding only when the switching means is actuated, means for actuating the switching means when the output of the Hall Effect switch is energized, and means for mounting the Hall Effect switch at a selected location where the switch is exposed to an actuating flux from the rotating permanent magnets when the rotating member is at a selected angular position. In accordance with another feature, the D.C.

Abstract: An improved ignition system including a member rotatable about an axis and having a permanent magnet with an outwardly extending flux field carried by the member to create a flux field rotating in a given angular path concentric with the axis of the rotating member. In the system there is provided a circuit for creating a sparking voltage upon a rapid change in current in at least a portion of the circuit and switching means for causing the rapid change in current upon actuation of the switching means. The improvement includes a device for storing sparking energy, the switching means includes a solid state device for discharging the storage device upon receipt of a firing signal and a Hall Effect switch activated by a selected D.C. biasing voltage and mounted at a given position with respect to the annular path of the rotating flux field. The Hall Effect switch initiates the switching means to discharge the storage device and cause sparking of the ignition system.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention provides a fitting for stabilizing the burnable poison rods and the like within a nuclear reactor fuel element. An illustrative orifice rod assembly fitting is assembled inexpensively from stamped metal strips which expose the ends of the fuel rods within the fuel element for inspection and simplify rearrangement of partially used fuel elements within a reactor core.

Abstract: There is disclosed a limited range, high-speed projectile with a flat trajectory. The range is limited by controlling the air resistance of the projectile, so that the air resistance increases markedly when the projectile speed drops below a certain value.

Abstract: A guidance system is provided for flight vehicles which establishes a reference direction in space by means of two pulsed laser beams. The desired direction is remotely determined and an optical tracker on the flight vehicle is then gated ON by a first pulsed laser beam wih a fixed time delay following receipt of a pulse on board the vehicle. A second pulsed laser beam is fired in a direction to intersect the desired flight path at a set distance from the vehicle, and at a time such that a pulse of the second beam crosses the desired path, and returns to the missile during the time while the tracker on the vehicle is gated ON, so that the tracker receives energy from the backscatter from the atmospheric segment illuminated by the pulse, and causes the vehicle to travel in the desired direction.

Abstract: A shaped explosive charge device for underwater use wherein a deflated inflatable element is positioned within the stand-off space and, when the device is in position for firing, for example, as an inside cutter, the inflatable element is inflated to exclude water from the cavity and stand-off space between the explosive charge and the target surface.

Abstract: A unitary plastic wad structure for use with a shotgun. The wad includes a shot cup portion and an obturating cup portion with both cups being of cylindrical configuration. The wad further includes a shock absorbing filler comprising transversely, obliquely, and longitudinally oriented planar members. The deflection characteristics of the transverse members provide the repeated attainment of a predictable shot pattern.

Abstract: A method for identification of bullets is provided whereby a coded insert is fitted within a cartridge to accompany a bullet in its trajectory and provide source information when recovered.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided in which a tubular element extends axially of the cartridge from the primer through the powder charge in the cartridge. The tubular element can be made of a combustible material such as paper or plastic, or an explosive material or one which fragments readily.

Abstract: An explosive cutting device comprising an upper and lower member, each having a charge retaining area and a standoff area, a linear shaped explosive charge contained within each charge retaining area of the upper and lower member, a pair of anti-jet distortion members located on both the upper and lower member thereby defining an opening between the upper and lower member into which a target member to be severed is placed, a fastening means for securing the upper member to the lower member, and means for detonating the linear shaped explosive charge within the upper and lower member.

Abstract: A spherical convex pusher plate member is positioned intermediate the rear end of a subcaliber tubular projectile and the forward section of a cup shaped sabot carrier to improve the ballistic performance of the projectile by reduction of a parasitic weight and faster separation of the carrier after launch. Propellant gas pressures acting on the convex spherical section of the pusher plate causes deflection thereof sufficient to force the sabot to loosen from the projectile to provide an improvement in projectile velocity.

Abstract: 1. A Doppler decoy protection device comprising a missile capable of being launched from a space craft whose protection is sought, and to travel in advance thereof and at a speed greater than the speed of said space craft, guide means extendable rearwardly from said missile, Doppler decoy means slidable on said guide means for simulating the Doppler characteristics of the craft whose protection is sought, means for damping the speed of travel of said decoy means rearwardly on said guide means so that the resultant forward speed of said decoy means will substantially equal the speed of the craft whose protection is sought.