Abstract: A rocket motor has an energetic material between solid propellent and a casing that surrounds the solid propellent. The energetic material is configured to be burned along with the solid fuel during normal operation of the rocket motor to produce thrust. The energetic material can also be detonated to cause rupture of the casing and to break up the solid propellent without detonating the solid propellent. The energetic material may be formed as part of one or more Embedded Charge Assemblies (ECAs) to distribute energy in the form of one or more pressure waves to rupture the casing or break up the solid propellent. The ECAs may be configured as a Linear Shaped Charge (LSC), Chevron, spherical charge or explosive. The detonation may be initiated as part of a flight termination process. The detonation may also be initiated as a part of process to prevent as a higher-order reaction, such as in reaction to heating from a fire or other cause.

Abstract: In a rocket motor in which burn rate enhancement (BRE) wires are used to accelerate the burn rate of the solid propellent, embedded charge assemblies (ECAs) are configured as support structures for the BRE wires. Each ECA includes an energetic material that is configured to burn along with the solid propellent to produce thrust and, upon detonation, to break up the solid propellent to terminate thrust. The detonation may also be initiated as a part of process to prevent a higher-order reaction, such as in reaction to heating from a fire or other cause. By being located inside the casing, the energetic material and ECAs do not adversely affect aerodynamics of the flight vehicle of which the rocket motor is a part, such as a missile.

Abstract: A lightweight armor system utilizing a face section having a multiplicity of monoliths embedded in a matrix supported on low density foam. The face section is supported with a strong stiff backing plate. The backing plate is mounted on a spall plate.