Abstract: A piston/rocket projectile for use within a launcher system having a barrel and method of firing such are presented herein. The projectile comprises a projectile body having a combustion chamber for propellant, a piston moveable to extend out a base of the projectile as a result of ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, and vents for expulsion of combustion products from the ignition of propellant out of the projectile base after initial movement of the piston. A casing is secured to the base of the projectile body, enclosing the piston and vents prior to the ignition of propellant, and a separable joint is disposed between the casing and the base of the projectile body. Upon ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, the projectile piston is forced down and the separable joint is caused to separate, leaving the casing in the barrel.

Abstract: A piston/rocket projectile for use within a launcher system having a barrel and method of firing such are presented herein. The projectile comprises a projectile body having a combustion chamber for propellant, a piston moveable to extend out a base of the projectile as a result of ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, and vents for expulsion of combustion products from the ignition of propellant out of the projectile base after initial movement of the piston. A casing is secured to the base of the projectile body, enclosing the piston and vents prior to the ignition of propellant, and a frangible joint is disposed between the casing and the base of the projectile body. Upon ignition of propellant in the combustion chamber, the projectile piston is forced against the casing and causes the frangible joint to break, leaving the casing in the barrel.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a bullet (1) configured to be propelled by a blast of a cartridge, the bullet comprising a main body (3) provided with an internal body cavity (7) and having a frontward section and a rearward section provided with an opening in fluid communication with the internal body cavity, the internal body cavity by means of the opening being capable of recovering a portion of gun gas resulting from the blast of the cartridge. The present disclosure further comprises a weapon having such a bullet, and a method for reducing drag from a bullet propelled out of a barrel of a weapon.

Abstract: An improved light gas gun launches a projectile in a light gas atmosphere as it travels through a frictionless barrel to achieve high muzzle velocities, decreased acoustic signatures, and increased ranges. The light gas atmosphere is introduced by a purge valve prior to firing or by a muzzle valve that holds a positive light gas pressure on the barrel and breech. The muzzle valve also routes the majority of propellant gases through a suppression canister, reducing the light gas gun's acoustic signature. The frictionless barrel uses light gas propellant routed through gas bearings to keep the projectile centered in the barrel and preclude the projectile from contacting the barrel walls, eliminating barrel wear. The system includes a projectile assembly that stores light gas from the firing and injects it into the boundary layer, reducing drag, increasing range and lethality, and decreasing acoustic signature of the projectile down range.

Abstract: A munition includes a projectile and a propellant unit. A propellant insert in the propellant unit has at least two propellant chambers each receiving a respective propellant charge. A primer mechanism is actuatable to ignite all of the propellant charges in the propellant insert. The combustion products of a selected one of the propellant charges are directed to the projectile and the combustion products of the non-selected propellant charges are vented.

Abstract: A weapon system includes a cartridge and a fire control apparatus have been developed for generating a projectile with a selectable launch velocity. The cartridge includes multiple primers and propellant chambers which may be individually selected by the fire controller so as to fire the projectile at a selected launch velocity. Additionally after firing the selected primers and propellant charges, the fire controller sends a second firing signal to all remaining primers after a suitable delay. The second firing signal ensures that all remaining propellant is initiated and consumed, thus rendering the cartridge safe to eject. The delay between the first firing signal and the second firing signal is sufficient to allow the projectile to be expelled from the cartridge so that the launch velocity is not affected by the combustion of the remaining propellant.

Abstract: A device and method to accelerate solid metal slugs to high speeds. In one embodiment, a large electric current is passed through an outer cylindrical metal tube enclosing in part a metal slug, a central electrode, and a conducting tail coupled at opposite ends to the. metal slug and the central electrode. Electromagnetic forces accelerate the metal slug to a point high enough to mechanically separate the conducting tail. On separation, a plasma is generated by the passage of electric current though a gas produced by vaporization of the conducting tail and nearby materials. An insulator enclosed within the tube prevents the plasma from shorting to the outer tube until the current flow has produced a sufficient magnetic field to contain the plasma. The metal slug is then accelerated to high speed by a combination of electromagnetic forces and mechanical pressure from the hot gas through which the electric current is passing.

Abstract: A non-propulsive projectile and method of maneuvering the non-propulsive projectile. The non-propulsive projectile includes a divert system with a multiple of valves to maneuver the projectile in response to a control system.

Abstract: A decoy device and system for anti-missile protection and an associated method are provided. The decoy device includes a propellant and a tank containing the propellant. The decoy device also includes an outlet defined in the tank, and a catalyst contained within the tank and capable of exothermically reacting with the propellant to emit a gas having a heat and pressure. The heat generated by the reaction is radiated by the decoy device is capable of attracting a missile, while the gas is expelled through the outlet to provide thrust to the decoy device.

Abstract: A kinetic fireball incendiary munition is provided having an outer shell or bomb casing, one or more incendiary submunitions therein, and an igniter therefore. Each of the submunitions includes an incendiary portion and at least one rocket motor that propels the submunition inside of a target volume. The submunitions liberate sufficient heat to produce elevated temperatures inside of a target structure, without creating a substantial overpressure or explosive effect. The incendiary portion includes a solid propellant and, optionally, one or more energetic materials selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, boron, magnesium, aluminum, Fluorinert™-aluminum and BKNO3. The incendiary submunition may be in the shape of a ball or a circular disk with a rocket motor therein.

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.