Abstract: An initiator assembly includes an initiator housing having an initiator cavity and a housing orifice edge. A bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity, the bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and first and second bridge contacts flush with the uniform first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge and a flyer plate are within the initiator cavity, the flyer plate interposed between the explosive charge and the bridge substrate. A plunger head is telescopically received in the initiator cavity and includes an anchoring cylinder face having a face perimeter and extends between first and second face ends. The housing orifice edge is anchored to the anchoring cylinder face at a position between the first and second face ends and extends around the face perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.

Abstract: An initiator assembly includes an initiator housing having an initiator cavity and a housing orifice edge. A bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity, the bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and first and second bridge contacts flush with the uniform first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge and a flyer plate are within the initiator cavity, the flyer plate interposed between the explosive charge and the bridge substrate. A plunger head is telescopically received in the initiator cavity and includes an anchoring cylinder face having a face perimeter and extends between first and second face ends. The housing orifice edge is anchored to the anchoring cylinder face at a position between the first and second face ends and extends around the face perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to an initiator support assembly that includes a casing and one or more initiator leads extending from the casing. The transmission of current through the initiator leads detonates an explosive charge within the casing. The casing includes a flange and a dampening member attached to the flange. The dampening member is between the flange and a structure where the initiator support assembly is mounted. The dampening member dampens shock that would otherwise be transferred from the structure to the initiator support assembly. In another example embodiment, at least a portion of the casing is formed of an interior wall, a dampening layer covering at least a portion of the interior wall and an exterior wall. The dampening layer dampens shock to the initiator support assembly that would otherwise be transferred from a structure to the initiator support assembly when the exterior wall is mounted to the structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to an initiator support assembly that includes a casing and one or more initiator leads extending from the casing. The transmission of current through the initiator leads detonates an explosive charge within the casing. The casing includes a flange and a dampening member attached to the flange. The dampening member is between the flange and a structure where the initiator support assembly is mounted. The dampening member dampens shock that would otherwise be transferred from the structure to the initiator support assembly. In another example embodiment, at least a portion of the casing is formed of an interior wall, a dampening layer covering at least a portion of the interior wall and an exterior wall. The dampening layer dampens shock to the initiator support assembly that would otherwise be transferred from a structure to the initiator support assembly when the exterior wall is mounted to the structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a weapon according to various aspects of the present invention comprise and/or operate in conjunction with a warhead case and a fuze system. The fuze system may comprise a fuze housing including a flange configured to be secured to the weapon. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus operate in conjunction with a fuze well rigidly attached to the warhead case. In addition, the methods and apparatus may include a sensor mounted on the flange, and a booster attached to the fuze well adjacent the fuze housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a weapon according to various aspects of the present invention comprise and/or operate in conjunction with a warhead case and a fuze system. The fuze system may comprise a fuze housing including a flange configured to be secured to the weapon. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus operate in conjunction with a fuze well rigidly attached to the warhead case. In addition, the methods and apparatus may include a sensor mounted on the flange, and a booster attached to the fuze well adjacent the fuze housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method for accurately locating a penetrating-type weapon within a shelter for detonation at a desired target site. The method includes reliably and accurately detecting thin layers of a shelter by use of a weapon frequency induced by a vibration in a portion of the weapon. The weapon frequency is detected and at least one harmonic frequency of the weapon frequency is analyzed to determine whether a deceleration threshold event has occurred. In one embodiment, the harmonic frequency may be compared to a target frequency which is associated with the deceleration of the weapon during penetration of a layer of media. In another embodiment multiple weapon frequencies may be detected, analyzed, or compared to detect the penetration of a layer of media.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method for accurately locating a penetrating-type weapon within a shelter for detonation at a desired target site. The method includes detecting a deceleration threshold event indicative of the penetrating weapon impacting and traversing a layer of shelter having certain material or structural characteristics (e.g., a “hard” or a “thick” layer). A delayed detonation program or process is enabled upon detection of the threshold event. For example, a delayed detonation program or process may include layer counting, void counting, or a combination of layer and void counting until the desired number of layers (and/or voids) of a shelter has been detected, at which time the weapon may be detonated. Any deceleration events that occur prior to the deceleration threshold event are ignored to minimize the potential failure of detecting specific types of layers including certain types of “soft” or “thin” layers.