Abstract: An ignition tube for use with electrothermal chemical combustion ignition projectiles in guns, comprising a tube positionable in a combustion chamber for receiving plasma ignition from a plasma chamber. The tube is formed from high density polyethylene or other materials adapted to release plasma upon contact by plasma ignition electrical energy or pulses. The tube is specifically designed to provide an increasing exit area from the proximal end of the tube toward the distal so as to act upon the longitudinally attenuated plasma, thereby substantially decreasing the amplitude of any reflected shock in the plasma stream. The exit area comprises a plurality of radially extending orifices or holes that have a decreased angle of inclination to the longitudinal axis from proximal end to distal end, such that the orifices form a spiral pattern on the circumference of the tube. This pattern provides a uniform action of plasma on the propellant over the entire length of the ignition tube.

Abstract: An explosive composition containing essentially of an intimate mixture of15 to 45% by weight of a particulate high explosive from the group consisg of RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane) and HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane and mixtures thereof,15 to 50% by weight of ammonium nitrate, and20 to 60% by weight of ethylenediamine dinitrate;Wherein the weight ratio of ammonium nitrate to ethylenediamine dinitrate is from 1:2.5 to 1.5:1, respectively, and particularly about 1:1. These explosive compositions provide an unexpectedly high explosive output with a relatively low content of RDX and/or HMX, and an equivalent output with much less RDX than conventional explosive compositions consisting of mixtures of RDX with AN and/or TNT.

Abstract: The condensed explosive of a gas dynamic laser is a condensed mixture of or more nonhydrogenous organic explosive compounds, such as TNM, with a sufficient amount of aluminum or zirconium powder to supply energy to the products so that a temperature of at least 1100.degree. K. can be achieved at a nozzle throat at a pressure of not more than 10 atmospheres, in such proportions that .tau..sub.II >.tau..sub.E >.tau..sub.I, which produces a population inversion. Satisfactory examples include TNM alone or combined with HNB in various proportions, mixed with 7.5 to 17.5% of aluminum powder.

Abstract: Explosive devices for foxhole manufacture, demolition and urban warfare. devices comprise a hollow metal cylinder; a cap at the top end closing said metal liner, said cap having a waveshaper on the interior thereof, and said cap having a hole therethrough for insertion of an ignition charge; a closure at the bottom end of said liner, said closure having the form of a liner, depressed inwardly; and an explosive composition disposed within the metal liner between the waveshaper of said cap and the depressed cone of said closure. An alternative explosive device is disclosed wherein the closure at one end of the metal cylinder is spaced apart and inwardly from the open end of said line to form a standoff space. A further explosive device is disclosed wherein additional explosive is disposed within the standoff space but leaving spaces for jet formation.