Abstract: An improved blast shield for use on a wheeled military vehicle. The blast shield has at least a portion responsive to a blast under the vehicle that reacts in response to the blast to block the door of the passenger compartment whereby the occupants of the compartment are protected from ejection from the vehicle for the duration of the blast effect.

Abstract: A method to retrofit a vehicle panel with a ballistic enhancement mat sta by providing a continuous batt of fibrous material. The batt is impregnated with a matrix of material that is, or can be made to be, deformable and then hardened. The batt is cut into mats shaped in an outline of the panel. An individual mat is placed on the panel and conformed to the topography of the panel to create a surface-to-surface interface between the mat and the panel. The mat and panel are fixed together at points all over the interface via an adhesive, a hook-and-loop layer, threaded fasteners or any other suitable mechanical fastening mechanism. The matrix is then hardened, whereby the mat becomes an integral reinforcement mechanism for the panel. The matrix material can be resoftened to facilitate removal of the mat if the mat needs replacement.

Abstract: A land vehicle seat assembly for absorbing explosive shocks is mounted on e vehicle's floor. The assembly has an anti-friction pad on the floor. A base plate on the pad swings around a pin fixed to the floor at the front of the plate. Horizontal shock absorbers at either side of the plate deceleratingly retard swinging of the plate. Stops at the sides of the plate limit plate swing. The assembly includes a pair of upright rails fixed to the plate and a seat slidable on the rails. A light duty unit such as a pneumatic spring or a shock absorber connects to the plate and seat. A heavy duty shock absorber, responsive only to shocks above a certain power, is connected to the plate. The heavy duty shock absorber can absorb shocks an order of magnitude greater than does the light duty unit.

Abstract: A low signature, low restriction, ballistically protective air intake assly for an exteriorly armored structure. The assembly is provided is comprised of one or more ducts having an entry end, an exit end and a spiralled duct portion between the ends. The entry ends communicate with an intake bell of armor material. The intake bell curves both away from the duct and out from duct openings at the entry ends. At the exit ends of the ducts are armor members faced toward the duct openings at the entry end. The armor members are positioned such that the spiralled duct portions lie between the armor members and the intake bell. Projectiles such as bullets travelling toward the entry end duct openings are either deflected away by the bell or caught by the armor member, whereby ballistic protection exists for elements in the armored structure interior to the assembly.

Abstract: A web structure adapted to retain portions of an armor structure is discld. The structure will prevent or limit the incidence of secondary projectile injuries caused by fastener degradation caused by threat incursion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a launch element seater for repeatably placing projectiles or ther launch package elements at an exact location within a breech of a gun. The seater includes a tube closely fit and slidable in the breech and a plate for precisely locating the tube on the breech, the plate encircling the tube and opposing a reference surface on the breech. An internally threaded terminus of the tube threads with a rod entering the tube, and the rod joins a seat member fit closely and slidably in the breech. A positionable set nut threaded on the rod outside the tube locates the innermost position of the rod relative to the tube and thereby locates the seat member and a projectile engaged thereto within the breech.

Abstract: An improved ergonomic knife configuration is disclosed. The knife has a blade with an unsharpened notch formed on the upper, back surface of the blade and a thrust ramp located approximately above the quillion. The knife also has a shaped handle which in combination with a choil and the notch allows the knife to be gripped in a variety of different grips for various uses.

Abstract: A reactive armor structure is disclosed for protecting a vehicle. A housing ncloses a chamber attached to the vehicle. A reactive armor sandwich with two rigid plates is mounted transversely across the chamber. The reactive armor sandwich is designed so the explosion of an explosive layer in the reactive armor sandwich causes the rigid plates to rotate so as to strike the penetrator.