Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a roving winder compares the number of strands of material actually being wound to a number of strands which should be wound into a roving. The controller stops the winding process if the two numbers are not equal. The use of a microprocessor allows not only the comparison but also generation of a control signal and a means to communicate the process information to a host computer.

Abstract: A plurality of discarding type segmented sabots are peripherally disposed rcumambient to the longitudinal axis of a subcaliber projectile to support the subcaliber projectile during launch. A prestressed notched bourrelet flange member screwedly attached to the forward sections of the sabot segments holds the sabot-projectile assembly together during launch. An aft bourrelet-obturator-slip ring assembly secures the rear sections of the sabot segments while transmitting only part of the rifling induced spin to the projectile. A self-adhering flexible base seal member is positioned in the aft end of the sabot segments to enhance efficient obturation of the propellant gases.

Abstract: A hypervelocity projectile is provided with aluminum components, such as s and windshields, which possess a coating having high resistance to thermodynamic ablation on the aluminum components. The coating is formed by first producing a "hard" anodic coating on the aluminum component by anodic oxidation of the aluminum in an acid electrolyte maintained below 10.degree. C, and sealing the hard coating with a hot aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate of the formula Me.sub.2 O:x.SiO.sub.2, wherein Me is an alkali metal and x is at least about 2.0, e.g., a 5 - 10% aqueous solution of Na.sub.2 O:x.SiO.sub.2, wherein x is about 3.25.