Abstract: A solid rocket motor comprises a pressure vessel, a solid propellant structure within the pressure vessel, and a flight termination system overlying the pressure vessel. The flight termination system comprises a shaped charge configured and positioned to effectuate ignition of an inner portion of the solid propellant structure and a reduction in an ability of the pressure vessel to withstand a change in internal pressure. Another solid rocket motor, a multi-stage rocket motor assembly, and a method of destroying a launch vehicle in flight are also described.

Abstract: Downhole stimulation devices include an energetic material disposed within a housing and an initiator for igniting the energetic material. The initiator may comprise a shaped charge configured to produce a projectile to penetrate the energetic material to ignite the energetic material. The housing of the device may comprise a continuous outer surface. Methods of operating a downhole stimulation device include initiating an energetic material disposed within a housing of the stimulation device in order to burn the energetic material in a laterally extending direction transverse to a depth of a borehole in which the stimulation device is disposed.

Abstract: A solid rocket motor comprises a pressure vessel, a solid propellant structure within the pressure vessel, and a flight termination system overlying the pressure vessel. The flight termination system comprises a shaped charge configured and positioned to effectuate ignition of an inner portion of the solid propellant structure and a reduction in an ability of the pressure vessel to withstand a change in internal pressure. Another solid rocket motor, a multi-stage rocket motor assembly, and a method of destroying a launch vehicle in flight are also described.

Abstract: Downhole stimulation devices include an energetic material disposed within a housing and an initiator for igniting the energetic material. The initiator may comprise a shaped charge configured to produce a projectile to penetrate the energetic material to ignite the energetic material. The housing of the device may comprise a continuous outer surface. Methods of operating a downhole stimulation device include initiating an energetic material disposed within a housing of the stimulation device in order to burn the energetic material in a laterally extending direction transverse to a depth of a borehole in which the stimulation device is disposed.

Abstract: Weapons, weapon components and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a weapon component includes one or more discrete fragments embedded in a reactive material matrix. The weapon component may be used as a warhead that includes an explosive charge. In one embodiment the weapon component is configured such that, upon explosive launch, the reactive material matrix fractures to define one or more reactive material matrix fragments. The weapon component may be configured such that the discrete fragments are propelled at a first velocity over a defined distance while the reactive material matrix fragments are propelled at a second velocity over the defined distance, the second velocity being less than the first velocity. The weapon component may be used, for example, in a countermeasure weapon used to defeat a target weapon. Other embodiments of weapon components, weapons and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Weapons, weapon components and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a weapon component includes one or more discrete fragments embedded in a reactive material matrix. The weapon component may be used as a warhead that includes an explosive charge. In one embodiment the weapon component is configured such that, upon explosive launch, the reactive material matrix fractures to define one or more reactive material matrix fragments. The weapon component may be configured such that the discrete fragments are propelled at a first velocity over a defined distance while the reactive material matrix fragments are propelled at a second velocity over the defined distance, the second velocity being less than the first velocity. The weapon component may be used, for example, in a countermeasure weapon used to defeat a target weapon. Other embodiments of weapon components, weapons and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An explosive composition is provided that includes 85 to about 96 weight percent nitramine, based on the total composition weight, and about 4 to 15 weight percent plasticized binder. At least 80 weight percent of the total composition weight, and more preferably 85 to 96 weight percent of the total composition weight, comprises 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,903,11]-dodecane (CL-20) particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns as the nitramine. Methods for preparing an explosive from the explosive composition are also provide.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge case is provided that includes at least one energetic thermoplastic homopolymer or copolymer derived from, at least in part, poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) prepolymer blocks terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups, such as hydroxyl groups. Chain linking of the prepolymer blocks is performed with diisocyanates for end-capping the prepolymer blocks, and a difunctional linking compound for linking the end-capped prepolymer blocks. The energetic thermoplastic is preferably capable of being pressed, extruded, rotational molded, injection loaded, or otherwise shaped into a desired configuration. Also provided is a chain-extended poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) homopolymer derived from bis-azidomethyloxetane prepolymer blocks, which are terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups and chain extended with at least one diisocyanate end-capping compound and at least one difunctional linking compound.

Abstract: An explosive composition is provided that includes 85 to about 96 weight percent nitramine based on the total composition weight, and about 4 to 15 weight percent plasticized binder. At least 80 weight percent of the total composition weight, and more preferably 85 to 96 weight percent of the total composition weight, comprises 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,903,11]-dodecane (CL-20) particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns as the nitramine. Methods for preparing an explosive from the explosive composition are also provided.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge case is provided that includes at least one energetic thermoplastic homopolymer or copolymer derived from, at least in part, poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) prepolymer blocks terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups, such as hydroxyl groups. Chain linking of the prepolymer blocks is performed with diisocyanates for end-capping the prepolymer blocks, and a difunctional linking compound for linking the end-capped prepolymer blocks. The energetic thermoplastic is preferably capable of being pressed, extruded, rotational molded, injection loaded, or otherwise shaped into a desired configuration. Also provided is a chain-extended poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) homopolymer derived from bis-azidomethyloxetane prepolymer blocks, which are terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups and chain extended with at least one diisocyanate end-capping compound and at least one difunctional linking compound.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a high performance gun propellant containing an energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and a high-energy oxidizer is disclosed. The process includes preparing or obtaining a molding powder of the high-energy oxidizer particles coated with the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and extruding the molding powder into the desired gun propellant configuration. The high-energy oxidizer has a concentration in the range from 70% to 85%, by weight, and the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder has a concentration in the range from 15% to 30%, by weight. The molding powder has a particle size in the range from 200&mgr; to 2000&mgr;. Typical thermoplastic elastomeric binders include oxetane, oxirane, and nitramine backbone polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Typical high-energy oxidizers include nitramine oxidizers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a high performance gun propellant containing an energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder and a high-energy oxidizer is disclosed. The process includes preparing or obtaining a molding powder of the high-energy oxidizer particles coated with the energetic thermo-plastic elastomeric binder and extruding the molding powder into the desired gun propellant configuration. The high-energy oxidizer has a concentration in the range from 70% to 85%, by weight, and the energetic thermoplastic elastomeric binder has a concentration in the range from 15% to 30%, by weight. The molding powder has a particle size in the range from 200 .mu. to 2000 .mu.. Typical thermoplastic elastomeric binders include oxetane, oxirane, and nitramine backbone polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Typical high-energy oxidizers include nitramine oxidizers.

Abstract: High solids pressable explosive compositions containing a liquid energetic polymer and a high performance explosive oxidizer are disclosed. The pressable explosive compositions contain a solids content between 91 and 99 weight percent, with an energetic polymer content less than 9 weight percent. The energetic polymer has a weight average molecular weight greater than 10,000, determined using a polystyrene standard, sufficient to use the polymer precipitation technique in preparing the pressable explosive compositions. Chain-extended PGN (polyglycidyl nitrate) is a preferred energetic polymer. The pressable explosives disclosed herein produce extremely high detonation pressure, high detonation velocity, and excellent metal accelerating capability.

Abstract: The use of 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetrocyclo[5.5.0.0.sup.5,9 0.sup.3,11 ]-dodecane as the major explosive ingredient in compositions useful in high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications is disclosed.

Abstract: High reaction temperature explosive compositions which provide enhanced air blast and extended reaction times are disclosed. The explosive compositions include a separate acceptor phase and a separate explosive phase. The acceptor phase contains a halogenated polymer and a reactive metal which are capable of reacting at high temperature and pressure. The explosive phase includes a nonmetallized explosive. Suitable explosives produce a detonation pressure in excess of 200 kilobars at the Chapman-Jouget (C-J) condition.In the explosive compositions disclosed herein, at least a portion of the explosive phase surrounds the acceptor phase. In this configuration, detonation of the explosive phase exposes the acceptor phase to high temperatures and pressures which permit the metal and halogenated polymer to efficiently react and produce even greater temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Castable high explosive compositions having a binder system containing plastisol grade nitrocellulose (PNC) and an energetic plasticizer are disclosed. The explosive composition also includes a solid high explosive ingredient, such as an explosive nitramine. Reactive metals, such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium, and oxidizers, such as ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium dinitramide, are optionally included in the explosive compositions of the present invention. The disclosed explosive compositions have a typical detonation velocities above about 8000 m/s.