Abstract: An auxiliary safety mechanism for a grenade to prevent detonation from shockwaves, heat, fragments, etc., the grenade including a fuse housing containing a delay detonator and explosive train. In at least one embodiment, the fuse housing includes a reversible slider element interposed between the delay detonator and the rest of the explosive train to form a barrier therebetween when the grenade is in an unarmed condition, and when the slider element is withdrawn the barrier between the delay detonator and explosive train is removed leaving the grenade in an armed condition. In another embodiment, a further safety mechanism involves connecting the two sections of the housing with a weak connection that ruptures prior to the explosive contained therein reaching the critical explosive temperature/pressure.

Abstract: A safety fuze for use with a canister, includes a body, a lever that is rotatably secured to one end of the body, a striker assembly that is rotatably secured to another end of the body, and a thumb switch assembly that includes a target and that is rotatably secured to the body. The safety fuze is selectively armed and disarmed. It is settable in one or four states: a safe-locked state; a safe-unlocked state; an armed state; and an initiation state.

Abstract: A parachute flare igniter assembly includes a novel safety for arresting the motion of a slider when subjected to external forces, but allows slider motion when subjected to intended cable actuation forces. The igniter safety includes a housing, a slider, a cable and a sleeve. The slider, connected to the cable, is slidably received within the housing. The cable moves the slider by applying a cable force conventionally obtained by actuation of a parachute associated with the flare and connected to an end of the cable opposite an end connected to the slider. The sleeve is connected to the cable and is disposed between the housing and the slider, so that the sleeve will arrest the slider with respect to the housing when the cable force is not present. A flare and a method of providing a safety in an igniter assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A safe-and-arm device for a projectile fired from a smooth bore gun has a rotor that rotates between a safe position and armed position. A setback sensor retains the rotor in the safe position until an acceleration of the projectile causes the setback sensor to be repositioned. Once the setback sensor is repositioned, a bore rider is released and a rotor spring rotates the rotor to arm the projectile.

Abstract: Avalanches, such as snow avalanches, are triggered with an explosive char The charge is propelled into a potential avalanche slope and detonated therein. The explosive charge is first located in a tube which is closed at one end and which also houses a propelling charge with which the explosive charge is propelled from the tube into the avalanche slope.

Abstract: A submunition fuse presenting a tubular body; a support housed in sliding manner in the tubular body; a firing element housed in sliding manner in the support; a detonating element mounted facing the firing element in the armed position of the fuse; a strip fitted to the top of the support, projecting from the tubular body, and which, during descent of the fuse, exerts aerodynamic force on the support in a direction away from the detonating element; a first thrust spring acting on the support to generate a first thrust, in the direction of the detonating element, not exceeding the aerodynamic force; a second thrust spring acting on the firing element to generate a second thrust in the direction of the detonating element; and lock balls retained by the tubular body in such a position as to interfere with and lock the firing element in a withdrawn position.

Abstract: A safety-and-arming mechanism for explosive device having a body including a slider, at least one latch adapted to translate between first and second positions to block the slider and allow translation of the slider, respectively, and a biasing device for applying a constant force to the latch to urge the latch in the locking position. The biasing mechanism includes a blade disposed at an end of the latch, and the blade is adapted to provide the constant force due to pressing contact against an inside surface of a launcher tube for launching the explosive device. The blade is adapted to apply a substantially constant force to the latch despite changes in dimensional tolerances between the interior surface of the launcher tube and the explosive device.

Abstract: An initiating device which employs discardable arming members is disclosed. The design qualifies as a low cost, responsive, impact initiating system for a practice projectile. The method is embodied in a sub-caliber flight projectile as part of a mortar training device.

Abstract: A fuse is capable of installation in a warhead only when a rotor of the fuse is in its safety position. If the rotor is in its live position, installation in the fuse is not possible. The fuse comprises an installation safety element which is movable between a normal first position blocking installation of the fuse and a second position permitting such installation. In its live position, the rotor blocks movement of the element to its second position. When in its second position, the element does not interfere with movement of the rotor to a live position.

Abstract: An out-of-line igniter assembly having a primer located out-of-line of an nition train and movable to an in-line position for ignition of a main pyrotechnic charge. A housing has a raceway connected with a gas expansion chamber and a pellet chamber, and a slider having a primer and a striker assembly is movable in the raceway. Premature detonation of the primer causes the primer to fire into the gas expansion chamber but, in normal operation, the slider is moved so that the primer is fired into the pellet chamber. Movement of the slider causes the striker assembly to actuate when the slider is in an in-line position with the pellet chamber.