Abstract: An ammunition assembly comprising a body having an interior chamber between leading and trailing ends, and a nose portion is attached to the leading end. An ejectable payload is disposed in the chamber. An ejectable payload is disposed in the marking chamber. A pusher, adjacent to the nose and interior chamber, is axially moveable into the interior chamber to push the payload rearwardly out of the body's trailing end. An aft cover is connected to the trailing end and retains the payload in the body until the nose impacts a target. The aft cover is separable from the body when the pusher ejects the payload out the trailing end portion when the nose impacts the target so the ejected payload marks the target without being obscured by the body or the target after impact.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to propellant gas initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer. In some embodiments, cartridge-propellant gasses act upon a piston to break a frangible chemiluminescent liquid chemical ampoule to initiate a luminous reaction independently of and prior to any projectile motion. The piston may be a distinct piston, a separate component functioning as a piston, or the overall tracer container acting in the manner of a piston. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to direct-fire ammunition ranging from small arms through large caliber main battle tank ammunition.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to propellant gas initiation of a non-pyrotechnic projectile tracer. In some embodiments, cartridge-propellant gasses act upon a piston to break a frangible chemiluminescent liquid chemical ampoule to initiate a luminous reaction independently of and prior to any projectile motion. The piston may be a distinct piston, a separate component functioning as a piston, or the overall tracer container acting in the manner of a piston. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to direct-fire ammunition ranging from small arms through large caliber main battle tank ammunition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the invention, an infrared signature powder (“IR powder”) suitable for marking targets and other objects is provided. The IR powder primarily includes porous, pyrophoric iron and moderators. The duration, temperature, and intensity of the emitted infrared radiation can be tailored during the powder's production process by adjusting the proportion or properties of the moderators in the IR powder. Additionally, a method of producing the IR powder is provided. The method can include the following general steps: heat a blend of aluminum and iron powders to cause an inter-metallic reaction; leach the aluminum from the iron; and mix a selected moderator and a binder with the iron in selected proportions to create the IR powder. Many of these steps are performed in an oxygen-free environment to prevent the iron from prematurely oxidizing. Similarly, the IR powder is encapsulated in an oxygen-free frangible ampoule or other container.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly with alternate load path is disclosed herein. The ammunition round assembly includes a projectile, a body engaging the projectile, and a non-combustible base at least partially enclosing the body. A structural member having first and second engagement portions opposite to each other is positioned inside an interior space defined by the body and the base. The first engagement portion firmly engages the base, and the second engagement portion firmly engages the projectile to provide an alternate load path between the projectile and the base.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge assembly is described. The assembly of one embodiment includes a projectile, a body having a first end portion coupled to the projectile and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The body is made of a combustible material configured to be consumed upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A sleeve is at least partially contained within the base. The sleeve has a free end portion radially to adjacent to and coupled to the second end portion of the body. The sleeve and the body defines an interior area configured to contain a combustible propellant. A non-combustible base at least partially is coupled to the sleeve and is adjacent to the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: Rod warhead systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projectile having an arrangement of rods is propelled along a trajectory toward an object. The arrangement of rods is radially expanded from a first position to a second position prior to the projectile impacting the object. The arrangement of rods impacts the object to breach at least a portion of the object. In a further embodiment, the arrangement of rods is expanded from the first position to the second position using a nonexplosive means. In another embodiment, the projectile includes a follow-up explosive device that applies an explosive force proximate to the object after the arrangement of rods impacts the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to a cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired from a firing device. Under one aspect of the invention, a cased telescoped ammunition assembly includes a combustible case body and noncombustible end caps connected to opposing ends of the case body. The case body is configured to be substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired. An internal support structure is positioned in the interior portion of the case body and connected to the end caps. The internal support structure and the end caps define a load-bearing unit that provides a load path substantially independent of the case body. The load-bearing unit is configured to react external loads, such that the combustible case body is substantially isolated from and does not react the external loads.

Abstract: A non-lethal payload delivery assembly for use with a launching device having a non-lethal payload releasably contained in a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly being openable upon application of a deploying force to deploy the non-lethal payload after the carrier assembly and the non-lethal payload are launched as a unit from the launching device. An openable sabot assembly releasably contains the carrier assembly during before and during launch. The sabot assembly configured to absorb launch forces that exceed the strength of the carrier assembly alone independent of the sabot assembly. A payload deployment system connected to the carrier assembly is activatable after separation of the carrier unit from the sabot assembly following launch. The payload deployment system opens the carrier assembly for deployment of the non-lethal payload away from the carrier assembly and before reaching the target.

Abstract: An ammunition round assembly having a combustible cartridge is provided. In one embodiment, the ammunition round assembly comprises a cartridge body made of a combustible material consumed in combustion upon firing the ammunition round assembly. A base is releasably connected to the cartridge body's bottom end portion. A retention member is positioned in a locking groove defined by groove in the cartridge body and the base. A projectile is positioned adjacent to the top end portion of the cartridge body. An attachment sleeve releasably connects the projectile and the cartridge body. The attachment sleeve has a connection member releasably engaging the connection member on the top end portion of the cartridge body. The attachment sleeve is configured to resist longitudinal motion of the projectile relative to the cartridge body until the ammunition round assembly is fired.