Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are directed to enhancing insensitive munitions performance. Some of the embodiments employ an outgassing pad having unique geometrical configurations, compositions, and positioning. Other embodiments rely on using thermally-releasable components to foster billet expulsion. Additional embodiments combine both aspects into entire cook-off mitigation systems for insensitive munitions improvements.

Abstract: An explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.

Abstract: A fuze for a munition adapted to prevent unintended arming thereof. The fuze incorporates an arming screw having a keyed portion and a centrifugal locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the arming screw unless the fuze mechanism is in a rapidly spinning condition such as that experienced when the fuze and its associated munition are deployed from an airborne rocket or artillery shell, and thus spinning at a rate of at least several thousand rpm. The centrifugal locking mechanism includes a pair of locking members which are biased by biasing elements into engagement with the keyed portion of the arming screw. This prevents the arming screw from being accidentally unscrewed from an inertia weight within the fuze, thus placing the fuze in an unintended armed condition.

Abstract: A line charge assembly and system are provided for use in a shallow-water obstruction clearing operation. Each assembly has a propulsion unit capable of flight through the air, a line charge array, an air-safed water-armed fuze, and at least one explosive diode. The line charge array is defined by a plurality of line charges successively coupled to one another by a line capable of transferring detonation energy therealong successively to each of the line charges. One end of the line charge array is coupled to the propulsion unit and the other end is coupled to the fuze. The fuze is capable of generating the detonation energy only when in water. The explosive diode is positioned in the line charge array to limit transfer of the detonation energy in a direction of propagation running from the fuze to the propulsion unit. The system utilizes a plurality of the line charge assemblies deployed over an area.

Abstract: A flare (1) for submarine use. The flare (1) is caused to be deployed from a submarine location where it will rise to the surface of the water because of its buoyant casing. A hydrostatic valve means (147) is provided within the casing and it opens when the flare is at or near the surface of the water to render said flare ready to project a flare composition (5) into the air. The hydrostatic valve means (147) is held inoperative by a latch mechanism (51) which is tripped as the flare is deployed from a firing tube at the submarine location. The flare composition (5) cannot be projected into the air until the flare (1) is within a range of vertical attitude determined by inclination means (13). The flare composition (5) cannot be projected into the air until the nose is above water. The flare (1) thus has a sensor (23) at its forward nose to determine that the nose is above the water.

Abstract: A multiconnector whereby a primary length of low energy fuse can be connected to a selected number of secondary lengths of low energy fuse has an inlet port into which an end of the primary length can be inserted and a number of outlet ports into which ends of secondary lengths of fuse can be inserted. The outlet ports and the inlet port communicate via internal passages. The outlet port may be closed by removable plugs or rupturable membranes so that those outlet ports that are not used do not establish a communication path between the inlet port and the atmosphere or the multiconnector may have two parts that are relatively displaceable so that the number of outlet ports that communicate with the inlet port can be set by relative displacement of the two parts.

Abstract: An improved flueric cartridge initiator (FCI) comprising a heat resistant or composite material resonance tube, a hardened high strength thermal disk and copper seals, in combination with an ignition train is made safe utilizing specific fluid dynamic phenomenon associated with the operation of the resonance tube. The present device uses simultaneous dual fluid inputs to create a Boolean AND logic element in order to reduce inadvertent firing functioning of the FCI.

Abstract: A fluid oscillator having a tube provided with a slit which is pivotable o a boundary layer of air flowing over a missile for arming and is pivotable from the missile exterior. The tube is configured so that the boundary layer excites oscillations within the tube at a predetermined velocity at which the missile is to arm.