Abstract: An advanced individual combat weapon system provides a means of delivering a small warhead fired from a combat rifle over a range of at least 1200 meters with great accuracy and without a violent back blast. The delivery system is a small fin-stabilized, laser-guided solid propellant rocket with an integral control system for ignition and in-flight correction to the desired target. The target is acquired and illuminated by an infrared laser spot generated from a laser illuminator combined with an optical rangefinder mounted on the rifle. The firing of a small booster cartridge launches the rocket from a launch tube. The control system senses the reflected laser energy of the correct wavelength and corrects the flight based on the directional intensity of the reflected laser energy directed to the target.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system and triggering apparatus therefor are provided for quenching gas and dust explosions. An electrically actuated suppression mechanism which dispenses an extinguishing agent into the path ahead of the propagating flame is actuated by a triggering device which is light powered. This triggering device is located upstream of the propagating flame and converts light from the flame to an electrical actuation signal. A pressure arming device electrically connects the triggering device to the suppression device only when the explosion is sensed by a further characteristic thereof beside the flame such as the pioneer pressure wave. The light powered triggering device includes a solar panel which is disposed in the path of the explosion and oriented between horizontally downward and vertical. Testing mechanisms are also preferably provided to test the operation of the solar panel and detonator as well as the pressure arming mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein a plurality of spaced goal posts mounting a net coextensively therebetween each include a lower terminal end securable to a respective magnetic mounting arrangement. A cylindrical base includes an annular groove to receive the lower terminal end of each goal post with an upwardly extending cylindrical boss directed interiorly of each goal post including a conical upper surface to enhance ease of displacement of an associated goal post relative to the boss upon impact with the goal post. Modifications of the invention may include a deformable support including an annular magnet positioned within the groove to secure a lower terminal end of each goal post therewithin. A further modification of the invention includes the use of diametrically opposed magnetic plugs mounted within the goal posts cooperative with the cylindrical boss formed of an attractive ferro-magnetic material.