Abstract: A test assembly and method for performing a shock test of an article includes a pneumatic gun assembly, a Hopkinson bar assembly, a magnetic catch, and a support assembly. The support assembly suspends the article in alignment with the magnetic catch. The magnetic catch retains the article against the Hopkinson bar assembly. The pneumatic gun assembly includes a striker for propagating a shock through the Hopkinson bar assembly into the article.

Abstract: A cartridge (20) has a cartridge case (22) extending along an axis (500) from a base (104) to a mouth (102) and having an interior. A projectile (24) is mounted in the case. A propellant (26) is contained within the case. The propellant has an annular grain encircling the axis.

Abstract: A shock testing apparatus includes a tower extending upward from a base. The tower includes a guide extending down the tower. A strike plate assembly includes a strike plate positioned below the guide for receiving mechanical shock from a striker striking out from the guide. A tri-axial accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate for data acquisition of three-dimensional shock wave acceleration data. A method of mechanical shock testing components includes dropping a striker onto a strike plate on which is mounted a unit under test (UUT) to generate three-dimensional shock waves through the strike plate. The method includes acquiring data indicative of acceleration in three orthogonal directions in at least one of the strike plate or UUT for a single drop of the striker.

Abstract: A shock isolator includes slots in inner and outer parts that define flexures between the parts. The slots may include inner slots and outer slots that are offset from each other around a perimeter of the inner part. The shock isolator also includes stops that provide a mechanical limit on the movement of the flexures. The stops may be posts that extend from one of the parts into holes in the other of the parts. In another embodiment that stops may be extensions from one of the parts over portions of the other of the parts. The stops help in preventing plastic bending and/or fracture of the flexures due to stress.

Abstract: A sight frame assembly for a weapon simulator includes one or more connection arms. The connection arms are for slidably coupling the sight frame assembly to the weapon simulator. The connection arms include a passageway for slidably receiving a guide rod that is attached to a sight frame assembly mounting point on the weapon simulator. A spring is positioned in proximity to the guide rod. The sight frame assembly is disposed in a first position along a longitudinal axis of the weapon simulator when the spring is in an uncompressed state, and the sight frame assembly is disposed in a second position along the longitudinal axis of the weapon simulator when the spring is in a compressed state.

Abstract: A low-profile shock isolating payload mounting assembly comprises a first mount, a second mount, and an isolator. The second mount is movable relative to the first mount and comprises a riser comprising an inclined surface. The isolator comprises an inner frame and an outer frame. The inner frame couples to the first mount and comprises a platform and a leg extending from the platform. The leg is inclined to be complementary to the inclined surface of the second mount. The outer frame couples to the second mount and comprises an opening for accessing the platform of the inner frame. The rail is inclined so as to be complementary to the leg to capture the leg between the rail of the outer frame and the inclined surface of the second mount. The isolator operates to dampen vibrations and shocks propagating between the first and second mounts.

Abstract: A sight frame assembly for a weapon simulator includes one or more connection arms. The connection arms are for slidably coupling the sight frame assembly to the weapon simulator. The connection arms include a passageway for slidably receiving a guide rod that is attached to a sight frame assembly mounting point on the weapon simulator. A spring is positioned in proximity to the guide rod. The sight frame assembly is disposed in a first position along a longitudinal axis of the weapon simulator when the spring is in an uncompressed state, and the sight frame assembly is disposed in a second position along the longitudinal axis of the weapon simulator when the spring is in a compressed state.

Abstract: A low-profile shock isolating payload mounting assembly comprises a first mount, a second mount, and an isolator. The second mount is movable relative to the first mount and comprises a riser comprising an inclined surface. The isolator comprises an inner frame and an outer frame. The inner frame couples to the first mount and comprises a platform and a leg extending from the platform. The leg is inclined to be complementary to the inclined surface of the second mount. The outer frame couples to the second mount and comprises an opening for accessing the platform of the inner frame. The rail is inclined so as to be complementary to the leg to capture the leg between the rail of the outer frame and the inclined surface of the second mount. The isolator operates to dampen vibrations and shocks propagating between the first and second mounts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for thermal testing of an antenna. Embodiments enable positioning a unit under test having an antenna in an anechoic chamber and, manipulating a RF transparent heat chamber over the antenna. A system can raise a temperature in the heat chamber to a selected temperature and obtain antenna performance information while the antenna is heated in the heat chamber. Temperature affects on antenna performance can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for thermal testing of an antenna. Embodiments enable positioning a unit under test having an antenna in an anechoic chamber and, manipulating a RF transparent heat chamber over the antenna. A system can raise a temperature in the heat chamber to a selected temperature and obtain antenna performance information while the antenna is heated in the heat chamber. Temperature affects on antenna performance can be determined.

Abstract: A compact, low profile coaxial to printed wiring board interface includes an interface block and an adapter. The interface block has a stepped opening for receiving the adapter and a coaxial cable. The adapter includes an outer profile with a series of steps that align and mate with the stepped opening of the interface block. An inner insulator of the coaxial cable is positioned entirely within the interface block and lies substantially flush with a first outside surface of the interface block, an outer conductor of the coaxial cable is positioned at an approximate midpoint interface of the adapter, an outer insulator of the coaxial cable lies flush with an external surface of the adapter, and a portion of the adapter positioned outside the interface block comprises a low profile such that the coaxial cable can be positioned away from a perpendicular to the interface block.

Abstract: A compact, low profile coaxial to printed wiring board interface includes an interface block and an adapter. The interface block has a stepped opening for receiving the adapter and a coaxial cable. The adapter includes an outer profile with a series of steps that align and mate with the stepped opening of the interface block. An inner insulator of the coaxial cable is positioned entirely within the interface block and lies substantially flush with a first outside surface of the interface block, an outer conductor of the coaxial cable is positioned at an approximate midpoint interface of the adapter, an outer insulator of the coaxial cable lies flush with an external surface of the adapter, and a portion of the adapter positioned outside the interface block comprises a low profile such that the coaxial cable can be positioned away from a perpendicular to the interface block.