Abstract: An electromagnetic rail accelerator in which a plurality of plasma arc cushions are generated between a plurality of pairs of rails in order to accelerate projectiles. To prevent currents of different intensities from flowing through the individual plasma armatures and, thus subjecting the rails to relatively great wear, the number of rail pairs is made equal to the number of zones in which plasma arc cushions are formed. Preferably, the rail accelerator is composed of a rail arrangement in multiples of three, with the rails being disposed in or on the inner surface of a cylindrical tube of insulating material and with the current flowing in opposite directions in adjacent rails.

Abstract: A liquid propellant for use in a propellant medium combustion chamber of a gun barrel weapon. The liquid propellant is completely decomposed and its combustion velocity is adjusted to the requirements of the weapon and projectile so as to provide a preponderantly oscillation-free plateau-like gas pressure development curve. The liquid propellant consist of a monergolic or nonhypergolic liquid propellant substance which includes up to 40% by weight of additives, preferably in the form of inhibitors. As starting material there are used aliphatic compositions, preferably nitrated alcanes or nitrates of alcanes, for example, isopropylinitrate or nitromethane. As inhibitors for moderating the burning there are used alcohols, such as methylalcohol or isopropylalcohol, which are admixed to the starting material.

Abstract: A device for accelerating projectiles from a muzzle of a launching tube, with an electrically heated plasma, the plasma being produced by two electrodes between which is formed an electric arc that creates and heats the plasma. To assure in a simple manner that the pressure at the projectile base is almost constant during launching of the projectile, one of the two electrodes is provided at a breechblock of the tube and the other is formed by the base of the projectile.

Abstract: A projectile which is intended for firing from an electromagnetic projectile acceleration device equipped with parallel acceleration rails and forming a plasma arc cushion. To realize high speeds as well as uniform stress on the projectile during the acceleration phase, the projectile, when seen in the direction of flight, is composed of at least two spaced partial projectile sections which are arranged one behind the other and are separated from one another by intermediate projectile portions, and plasma forming substances are disposed at the rear ends of the respective partial projectile sections.

Abstract: A device for accelerating projectiles from a launching tube by means of an electrically heated plasma and two electrodes between which burns an electric arc so as to heat the plasma. To cause the pressure for accelerating the projectile in the launching tube to be as high as possible, the two electrodes and thus the electric arc which heats the plasma are disposed within a rear portion of the projectile.

Abstract: An exploding missile has a casing and a parachute attached to the casing for making it move in a predetermined direction relative to the casing after launch. A charge in the casing has a projectile-forming front face, facing forward in the travel direction. An antenna is provided on the casing behind the front face and charge and is displaceable between a retracted position wholly behind the charge and an extended position projecting laterally therefrom and directed at least generally forwardly in the direction past the charge. An actuator is connected between the casing and the antenna for moving same from the retracted into the extended position after launch of the missile. A controller including a receiver connected to the antenna and a detonator in the charge detects the distance to a target in front of the missile and explodes the charge when a predetermined distance is detected or the target is otherwise sensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mine or drop bomb having an effective load, a shaped charge, and an antenna which encompasses a target recognition device. In order to achieve on the one hand a rugged, arrangement which can withstand high acceleration forces, and, on the other hand, provide an optimum functioning of the antenna, the antenna is axially outwardly slidable, so that it can move from an inoperative, respectively transport, position into an operative position. For this purpose the antenna is mounted on a plurality of columns, which are equi-angularly disposed about the periphery of the arrangement and are slidable within guide means disposed in the housing of the arrangement. The antenna may be deployed by an inflatable gaseous container. In one embodiment the container may comprise an explosive gaseous mixture which ignites to break-off the antenna from the device before the mine explodes.

Abstract: An exploding missile has a casing and a parachute attached to the casing for making it move in a predetermined direction relative to the casing after launch. A charge in the casing has a projectile-forming front face, facing forward in the travel direction. An antenna is provided on the casing behind the front face and charge and is displaceable between a retracted position wholly behind the charge and an extended position projecting laterally therefrom and directed at least generally forwardly in the direction past the charge. An actuator is connected between the casing and the antenna for moving same from the retracted into the extended position after launch of the missile. A controller including a receiver connected to the antenna and a detonator in the charge detects the distance to a target in front of the missle and explodes the charge when a predetermined distance is detected or the target is otherwise sensed.

Abstract: A warhead includes a housing in which an effective explosive charge and a projectile-forming layer is disposed. The effective explosive charge is connected and ignited by a target recognition device. In order to reduce the effect of the antenna as a hindrance and obstacle to the formation of a projectile by means of a projectile-forming layer forming part of the effective explosive charge, the antenna extends only to a limited extent into the central region of the end face of the effective charge and is in the form of an annular shape which only to a minor degree covers the projectile-forming layer so that only the peripheral surfaces of the projectile-forming layer are blocked by the antenna structure.

Abstract: A warhead unit carrying a pay load and being suspended from a parachute which brakes the descent of the warhead unit. The pay load includes a sensor for detecting a target and a projectile-forming charge which is fired from the pay load when activated by the sensor. The pay load is rotated by jet nozzles first about a longitudinal axis and then about a diagonal axis after the point of suspension has been shifted from the center of the top surface of the pay load to a corner of the top surface of the pay load.

Abstract: A nonhypergolic propellant for a barrel-type weapon is mixed with about 20% by volume of a propellant granulate which can be in the form of spheroidal powder, preferably a dibasic powder propellant, or in the form of micro-encapsulated liquid propellant which can be of the same composition as the liquid propellant in which the granulate is entrained or can be a different liquid propellant. The propellant granulate improves the combustion characteristics of the propellant and hence the reproducibility of the firing operations.

Abstract: A protective surface coating for ammunition having no cartridge casing and ammunition having a combustible cartridge casing. A body of highly porous nitrocellulose is permeated from the outside with a polymer carried by a solvent to form a binder for the body. A layer of metal platelets containing airpockets is bound to the body with a binding polymer. The metal platelets are covered with an outer coating of a rapidly curing resin. The protective coating is used to prevent the penetration of moisture into the porous cartridge casing or into the powder mass itself and to provide improved stability to heat and flames.

Abstract: A protective surface coating for ammunition having no cartridge casing and ammunition having a combustible cartridge casing. A body of highly porous nitrocellulose is permeated from the outside with a polymer carried by a solvent to form a binder for the body. A layer of metal platelets containing air-pockets is bound to the body with a binding polymer. The metal platelets are covered with an outer coating of a rapidly curing resin. The protective coating is used to prevent the penetration of moisture into the porous cartridge casing or into the powder mass itself and to provide improved stability to heat and flames.

Abstract: Warhead for projectiles and rockets in which the projectile or rocket casing can be relied upon to decompose into splinters of predetermined size, shape, and distribution. To accomplish this result, a thin-walled insert is positioned between the projectile or rocket casing and the explosive charge, such insert being provided with a number of ribs forming a series of saddle-roof shaped structures which exert a cutting charge effect on the casing on the detonation of the explosive charge.

Abstract: A propellent charge igniter for caseless cartridges of separately loaded ammunition. The igniter has an ignition chain which includes a secondary charge adjoining a main charge made up of powder pipes or tubes. The secondary charge is disposed in pierceable bag material. A booster charge is disposed in a cartridge case which is mounted in the movable breech block. A combustible projectile is mounted in the cartridge case, and is adapted to be ejected from the cartridge case by the gases generated by the booster charge to pierce the bag material and ignite the secondary charge.