Abstract: A medium calibre gyro-stabilized anti-air shell intended to produce a spray of sub-projectiles, wherein it includes an ogive shaped nose cone extended by a case tube and a central pin delimiting with the case tube a housing enclosing sub-projectiles, a casing covering the case tube attached, by an upstream thread at its front end, to a flange on the nose cone and attached by a downstream thread at its rear end onto a rear end cap enclosing an air burst charge, translation means being positioned between the rear end cap and the case tube so as to ensure the shearing of the upstream and downstream threads.

Abstract: The automatic fire extinguisher is a fire retardant dispensing device. The automatic fire extinguisher is an automated device. The automatic fire extinguisher is an explosive device. The automatic fire extinguisher is a temperature sensitive device that releases a fire retardant in the form of a gas when a predetermined ambient temperature has been reached. The automatic fire extinguisher comprises a compressed retardant gas, a high-pressure gas tank, and an explosive device. The high-pressure gas contains the compressed retardant gas and the explosive device. The explosive device detonates when the ambient temperature reaches when the predetermined ambient temperature is reached. The explosion of the explosive device ruptures the high-pressure gas tank thereby releasing and dispersing the compressed retardant gas into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A wall breaching explosive fragmentation ammunition having a tungsten alloy nose cap with ceramic cone nose which make possible penetration into a hardened target with survivability of the warhead. The ammunition employs a unitary construction with fuze completely within the projectile's shell case. The ammunition has an external plastic rotating band which also encloses an induction antenna. The antenna may signal the fuze on a wire, through a hole in the shell case. The fuze signals may be fed through a gun barrel, then picked up on the antenna. The ammunition also employs a controlled pattern fragmentation mechanism incorporating a patterned plastic liner.

Abstract: A munition is described including a reactive fragment having an energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also described including forming a energetic material; combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment. The munition may be in the form of a warhead, and the reactive fragment may be contained within a casing of the warhead.

Abstract: Explosive devices, and in particular cluster explosively-formed penetrator warhead devices, are described herein. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a spherically-shaped explosive device comprises an initiator, a fuze component system configured to ignite the initiator, and a substantially spherical explosive charge surrounding the initiator. The substantially spherical explosive charge has a substantially spherical surface. A plurality of liners are on the substantially spherical surface of the substantially spherical explosive charge.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead includes a plurality of projectiles in a projectile core, explosive segments about the plurality of projectiles, and an isolator between adjacent explosive segments. There is an external detonator on an outer surface of each of the explosive segments proximate an isolator, and an internal detonator inside of each explosive segment adjacent the projectile core.

Abstract: Explosive devices, and in particular cluster explosively-formed penetrator warhead devices, are described herein. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a spherically-shaped explosive device comprises an initiator, a fuze component system configured to ignite the initiator, and a substantially spherical explosive charge surrounding the initiator. The substantially spherical explosive charge has a substantially spherical surface. A plurality of liners are on the substantially spherical surface of the substantially spherical explosive charge.

Abstract: A mine defeating projectile includes a housing defining an inner cavity, a plurality of channels extending through a front surface of the housing and to the inner cavity, and a plurality of cutout sections extending through as side wall thereof. The projectile further includes a fragmentation sleeve disposed in the inner cavity of the housing and a slider sleeve disposed in the inner cavity of the housing abutting an aft end of the fragmentation sleeve. The slider sleeve includes an explosive train and the slider sleeve is frangibly attached to the housing. The projectile further includes a finned section attached to an aft end of the housing. The finned section defines a protrusion for initiating the explosive train. The protrusion is spaced apart from the explosive train.

Abstract: An aimable kinetic energy rod warhead system includes a plurality of rods and explosive segments disposed about the plurality of rods. There is at least one detonator for each explosive segment. A target locator system is configured to locate a target relative to the explosive segments. A controller is responsive to the target locator system and is configured to selectively detonate specified explosive segments at different times dependent on the desired deployment direction of the rods to improve the aiming resolution of the warhead.

Abstract: A munition includes a casing, the casing formed at least in part from a material comprising (i) a meltable or phase-changing material, and (ii) an energetic material; an explosive payload contained within the casing; and a fuze arrangement, the fuze arrangement comprising a main fuze configured and arranged to ignite the high explosive, and at least one secondary fuze configured and arranged to cause the casing material to melt or undergo a phase change.

Abstract: A warhead includes a body, a patterned liner made of plastic, and an explosive charge disposed within the liner. The liner pattern is formed of gaps and liner elements. The explosive charge includes a first set of sections that are disposed adjacent to the liner gaps and a second set of sections that are disposed adjacent to the liner elements. Upon detonation of the explosive charge and because of the temporal delay in transmitting the detonation energy between these two sets of sections, the warhead body is caused to shear and break into fragments with controlled size. The use of plastic as the liner material also provides a welcome safety feature for this warhead. In the event of unwanted heat ignition, the plastic (which is also low melt temperature material), would melt to seal the explosive and would also flow. Because of the plastic, neither sudden pressure nor heat/ignition inside the round, would therefore be as catastrophic.

Abstract: A munition includes a casing, the casing formed at least in part from a material comprising (i) a meltable or phase-changing material, and (ii) an energetic material; an explosive payload contained within the casing; and a fuze arrangement, the fuze arrangement comprising a main fuze configured and arranged to ignite the high explosive, and at least one secondary fuze configured and arranged to cause the casing material to melt or undergo a phase change.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to obtain great final ballistic effectiveness of fragmentation bullets and warheads regardless of the impact speed while using as little explosive material as possible. Said aim is achieved by combining explosive shell (3) with a damming inner member (4) in connection with an accelerated outer jacket (2). This arrangement results in the best possible conversion of the explosive energy while offering great creative flexibility regarding the design. A wide range of additional possible effects is created by blast-compacting the inner damming member (4). Furthermore, the shape of the inner damming member allows the fragments to obtain a directionally controlled effect. Depending on the caliber and technical design, the amount of explosive material used can be reduced by 50 to 80 percent compared to conventional explosive bullets at comparable fragment speeds or sub-bullet speeds. The explosive material economized is available as additional effective mass.

Abstract: An explosive structure of the fragmentation type includes an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber and means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing. The explosive structure further includes first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines and second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern.

Abstract: A wide area dispersal warhead including a housing defining a cavity, an explosive charge in the housing, and a large plurality of individual munitions in the cavity of the housing about the explosive charge. The explosive charge is configured to deploy the munitions upon detonation into a hemispherical dome shaped pattern.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead includes a projectile core which includes a plurality of individual projectiles, an explosive charge about the core, at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and an explosive sheet on each end of the projectile core.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead bay configuration includes a plurality of bays. Each bay includes a plurality of rods, an explosive for deploying the rods, and a detonator for detonating the explosive. One bay is structured and arranged as a first bay. One bay is structured and arranged as a last bay with rods configured to have more drag than the rods of the first bay. At least one other bay is structured and arranged as an intermediate bay. The rods of the intermediate bay are configured to have more drag than the rods of the first bay but less drag than the rods of the last bay to space apart the rod sets of the bays upon deployment.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead includes a projectile core which includes a plurality of projectiles and an explosive charge about the core. There is at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and at least one wave shaper in the explosive charge or between the explosive charge and the core and having an apex adjacent the detonator.

Abstract: Weapons, weapon components and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a weapon component includes one or more discrete fragments embedded in a reactive material matrix. The weapon component may be used as a warhead that includes an explosive charge. In one embodiment the weapon component is configured such that, upon explosive launch, the reactive material matrix fractures to define one or more reactive material matrix fragments. The weapon component may be configured such that the discrete fragments are propelled at a first velocity over a defined distance while the reactive material matrix fragments are propelled at a second velocity over the defined distance, the second velocity being less than the first velocity. The weapon component may be used, for example, in a countermeasure weapon used to defeat a target weapon. Other embodiments of weapon components, weapons and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Weapons, weapon components and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a weapon component includes one or more discrete fragments embedded in a reactive material matrix. The weapon component may be used as a warhead that includes an explosive charge. In one embodiment the weapon component is configured such that, upon explosive launch, the reactive material matrix fractures to define one or more reactive material matrix fragments. The weapon component may be configured such that the discrete fragments are propelled at a first velocity over a defined distance while the reactive material matrix fragments are propelled at a second velocity over the defined distance, the second velocity being less than the first velocity. The weapon component may be used, for example, in a countermeasure weapon used to defeat a target weapon. Other embodiments of weapon components, weapons and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead includes a projectile core which includes a plurality of projectiles and an explosive charge about the core. There is at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and at least one wave shaper in the explosive charge or between the explosive charge and the core and having an apex adjacent the detonator.

Abstract: The grenade is a multi-purpose munition which can be used as a distraction device, like a flash bang grenade, and can be equipped with chemical agent powder for added capabilities. The grenade is also a sting ball grenade and is a less-lethal form of weapon, designed to reduce fatalities in civilians located in conflict areas. The munition is constructed to be low lethality, and capable of being launched from military and law enforcement 37 mm and 40 mm grenade launchers presently in use today. It is designed to be used in multiple roles when lethal projectiles are not a viable or preferred option, such as hostage situations, riots, room and building clearing operations, narcotics interdictions, distraction and diversionary purposes, and as a method of introducing a chemical agent into a small area from a distance. The grenade can be employed from distances over 400 yards, extending the range of the present art, which is 30 yards.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead including a plurality of sections each enclosing a plurality of projectile and an explosive charge partially surrounding the projectiles defining a primary projectile firing direction. The firing direction of each section is different for isotropically deploying the projectiles.

Abstract: A tandem warhead for destroying a target, the tandem warhead including a kinetic energy rod section with a plurality of lengthy individual projectiles, a blast fragmentation section deployable proximate the target, and a guidance subsystem for deploying the projectiles of the kinetic energy rod section first in the trajectory path of the target and for deploying the blast fragmentation section second proximate the target.

Abstract: A vehicle-borne system for countering an incoming threat, the system including a sensing device configured to sense an incoming threat, and an active protection system including a maneuverable interceptor incorporating a plurality of kinetic energy rods and an aimable explosive charge configured to deploy the kinetic energy rods in a predetermined direction; the active protection system further including a detection subsystem configured to maneuver the interceptor to intercept the incoming threat, the detection subsystem further configured to determine if the interceptor will miss the threat, and then initiate the explosive charge to aim the kinetic energy rods into a disbursed cloud in the trajectory path of the incoming threat and between the incoming threat and the vehicle.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead including a projectile core including a plurality of individual projectiles, an explosive charge about the core, at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and structure for reducing the deployment angles of the projectiles when the detonator detonates the explosive charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented subcaliber projectile (1) subdivisible into a number of separate segments contiguous with each other at least initially to form an integral projectile of united segments or submunitions (5). The advantage with this subcaliber projectile is that since the segments or submunitions (5) are arranged sequentially after each other, each one comprises an explosive charge (7) initiatable by a very powerful shock and encased in an outer casing (6) of hard material such that the projectile in integral form can be used directly against heavy armor, and by means of dispersion of the various segments can also be used against aircraft.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead including a projectile core including a plurality of individual projectiles, an explosive charge about the core, at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and structure for reducing the deployment angles of the projectiles when the detonator detonates the explosive charge.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead with aligned projectiles includes a projectile core in a hull including a plurality of individual projectiles and an explosive charge in the hull about the core. The individual projectiles are aligned when the explosive charge deploys the projectiles. The projectiles may also be aimed in a specific direction.

Abstract: A warhead (1) having a warhead casing (2) that encloses an explosive charge (5). To ensure that, during the detonation of the explosive charge (5), the warhead (1) effects a rapid acceleration of the fragments flying in the flight direction, and a lesser acceleration of the fragments flying away laterally from the warhead, and/or generates a relatively intense lateral pressure wave, the charge has at least two different partial charges (7, 8-10) corresponding to the intended use of the warhead (1). The first partial charge (7), which is disposed in the region of the tip of the warhead (1), and comprises, for example, octogen (HMX), possesses a high detonation speed in order, when detonated, to accelerate heavy-metal fragments (preferably WSM spherical fragments) disposed in front of the partial charge very rapidly forward. In contrast, the second partial charge (8-10), which adjoins the rear of the first partial charge (7), is a far less costly charge, e.g.

Abstract: Fragmentation body for fragmentation projectiles and warheads, including an integral fragmentation shell structure made of cast metal, and the shell structure has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface separated by a thickness of the shell, where at least one of the inner or outer surfaces includes recesses formed through part of the thickness of the shell to define a plurality of fragments which remain integrated with the shell structure until an explosive force is detonated in proximity of the shell, wherein the shell material comprises a steel alloy including carbon, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, and the balance essentially being iron. Shell structures of the inventive fragmentation body also have a fragmentation pattern defined via recesses or grooves provided in at least one of the inner or outer wall surfaces thereof to define the size and shapes of the fragment projectiles desired.

Abstract: An apparatus which is constituted to supply electrical energy to a melting and vaporizing material (for example metal wire 6) so as to cause the melting and vaporizing material to melt and vaporize, thereby demolishing an object to be demolished (such as concrete 2) using the vaporization and expansion force generated at the time of melting and vaporization of the material; wherein either by providing a granular material 8 which ejects from a container following the generation of the vaporization and expansion force, or by using an inflammable material as demolishing material 46 in which the melting and vaporizing material is immersed, a to-be-demolished object is demolished with a strong demolishing force.

Abstract: A high precision electro-mechanical fuze mechanism for a munition such as a hand grenade. The fuze mechanism includes an electromagnetic signal generator having an armature, a permanent magnet, a coil and a magnetic impulse generator (MIG) member. The armature is preloaded during assembly through the use of a spring. Releasing an actuating lever of the grenade allows the armature to begin spinning and to dissipate the energy stored by the spring. This causes a current to be electromagnetically generated in the coil, which is transmitted to an electronic control circuit in the fuze mechanism. The electronic control circuit implements two time delays from two separate timers which each must time out before the control circuit can send an electric firing signal to an electric detonator. Movement of the armature also causes a simultaneous movement of a rotor, which moves a stab detonator into a position closely adjacent the electric detonator.

Abstract: An outer jacket (14), an inner jacket (15) and an explosive charge (16) are ach independently manufactured on one of three parallel production lines (1, 2, 3) and assembled on a contiguous assembly line (4). The jackets (14 and 15) are designed to have a sufficient shape stability to be handled as separate components, and obtain the required firing strength due to their assembly. By changing the inner jacket (15), the ammunition body manufactured in this way can be prepared with different active bodies as suited for the application intended.

Abstract: A detonation wave barrier for disposition between adjacent segments of warhead explosive including first and second layers of high shock impedance material and a third layer of low shock impedance material between the first and second layers.

Abstract: An explosive shell case of the kind in which fragments are produced by bursting of the case material into a number of small particles. The case material comprises a completely dense, non-compressible material which is made with embrittling zones (4) which when the shell bursts gives fragments of a predetermined shape. The case is preferably manufactured powder-metallurgically, the embrittling zones then being formed by filling at predetermined intervals with powder with the embrittling component. The case is then pressed under high all-round pressure and high temperature into a dense, compact jacket and is imparted its final properties through heat treatment.

Abstract: A fuzeless annular wing projectile composed of a tubular projectile body having essentially smooth interior and exterior cylindrical faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the body, and a guide band mounted on the body with the body being formed and/or treated to exhibit desired break locations in the region of at least one face and at least at a location between the front end of the body and the location of the guide band.

Abstract: The fin-stabilized projectile has an ogival projectile body having a nose portion and a base portion joined to a tail tube having a finned tailed unit. The nose and base portions are fixedly secured to respective ends of an internal connecting tube. The tube has a plurality of recesses disposed around the peripheral outer surface of the internal connecting tube. A bursting charge is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube and the material used to form the bursting charge fills the recesses to provide a distribution of thrust forces along the length of the bursting charge, which is disposed between the nose and base portions.

Abstract: A gun-launched projectile with a chamber for generation of combustion gases from a propellant grain is disclosed. The chamber is arranged with at least one gas outlet in its base plane, said propellant grain having a burning area, mass and static burning rate so related with the area of the gas outlet/outlets, that a low mass flow of gaseous combustion product is operable to continue from the time of muzzle exit for a considerable portion of projectile flight and to provide a substantial decrease in base drag with a concomitant increase in projectile range. The pressure in the combustion chamber during flight only slightly exceeds the base pressure in an amount of 0.01 to 0.5 bar.

Abstract: A plurality of individual containers holding ammunition bodies are arranged within a dispersion warhead. A reaction engine is provided for each container or each of a group of containers. The reaction engines are mounted on the exterior surfaces of the containers, preferably on the container bottom. A rocket engine fueled with a body of solid fuel can be used as the reaction engine. Ignition means are provided at each end of the body of fuel. A centrally positioned detonating channel extends between the ends of the body of solid fuel. A slot-shaped continuous gas channel extends through the body of solid fuel between its ends and also extends laterally outwardly from the detonating channel to the surface of the body.

Abstract: A sensor for rocket engines having at least one combustion chamber including a pressure-sensitive sensing device responsive to pressure in the combustion chamber for providing an output signal to a control device in response to the pressure in the combustion dropping below and/or rising above at least one predetermined pressure. The pressure-sensitive sensing device includes a piston arranged for displacement between first and second positions. The piston is displaceable from at least the first position to the second position in response to a first predetermined pressure value in the combustion chamber. A restoring force is effective for displacing the piston from the second position toward the first position in accordance with a second predetermined pressure value in the combustion chamber. The piston is arranged for triggering a signal in at least one of the first and second positions thereof.

Abstract: 1. A booster comprising an open ended housing, a propellant charge carried within said housing, a trap assembly interposed between said propellant and opening for restraining said propellant, said trap including an annular ring member, and a plurality of radially extending arms held in disengageable interlocking relation with said ring member, said interlocking arms and ring member being arranged to maintain a rigid assembly upon the application of force from one direction, but which are readily collapsible upon the removal of said force after the booster has been expended.

Abstract: An ignition device for igniting a rocket motor comprising a striker adapted or displacement by pressure generated by an auxiliary charge, a percussion-operated priming device for impact by the striker, and an ignition charge for ignition by the priming device and for igniting the rocket motor. The striker, in its inoperative position, is mechanically keyed within a hollow container body having an axial bore therethrough by a pair of diametrically opposed circumferential grooves within which an O-ring is retained. For operation, a fluid generates pressure on the striker, thereby dislodging it from its mechanical keying and driving it to impact the percussion-operated priming device.

Abstract: A lightweight pyrogen igniter assembly including an elongated molded plastic tube adapted to contain a pyrogen charge and to be inserted into a rocket motor casing for ignition of the rocket motor charge with a molded plastic closure cap provided for the elongated tube and including an ignition charge within the cap for igniting the pyrogen charge and an electrically actuated ignition squib within the cap for igniting the ignition charge. The ignition charge is contained within a portion of the closure cap and it is retained therein by a noncorrosive ignition pellet retainer or screen which is adapted to rest on a shoulder of the elongated tube when the closure cap and tube are assembled together. The interior of the closure cap and the exterior of the elongated tube are provided with matching tapered spiral buttress threads to serve as the attachment means therefor.

Abstract: An initiator that produces an intermediate combustion step in a system for gniting solid rocket propellant with a laser beam. The initiator comprises a pyrotechnic pellet which has a concave conical surface and a breakaway/burn center section. The pellet is positioned in a container which has a window. A laser beam is directed through the window, onto the conical surface, and initiates combustion of the pellet. The container restrains the pellet from moving during combustion.

Abstract: An impulsive safety-arming device provides handling safety in a rocket mo. Prior to arming, a piston is blocked in position to contain a squib, thereby preventing inadvertent ignition. After arming, the piston block is removed allowing high temperature, high pressure gas from the squib to force the piston past vent ports and to escape and ignite the motor.

Abstract: Expendable case ammunition of the type which is expelled as a unit through the barrel of a firearm and whose case separates from contained projectiles in flight, comprises a body and a cap, and may include a separate projectile container. These parts are made of a deformable material such as plastic, and are snap-locked together. The body has an interior transverse wall separating a projectile chamber from a propellant chamber, which is enclosed by the imperforate cap to permit the use of loose propellant and to protect against contamination and accidental ignition. An anvil is integrally formed in the propellant chamber wall to cooperate with an internal primer and a firing pin which penetrates the cap. A diaphragm region of the cap is ruptured by initiation of the primer, and the cap remains attached to the body during ignition of the propellant and travel of the ammunition unit through the barrel of the firearm.

Abstract: An igniter for a rocket motor consisting of a cylindrical tube having an open end and a closed end, a reduced section at the closed end, a plurality of segments extending outwardly from near the closed end, a squib secured in the reduced section, a charge in the tube and a polyurethane foam plug in the open end of the tube.

Abstract: A multiple barrel launcher for simultaneous launching of a number of projectiles by means of gas generated by a propellant charge placed in a pressure cartridge in communication with said barrels via a pressure chamber, wherein the communication comprises channels between each of the barrels and the pressure chamber, each of these channels being so dimensioned in relation to the charge that a critical driving gas flow velocity is obtained during the launching course.

Abstract: A projectile having a minimum of base drag effect and a maximum of velocity nd range during its operational flight, as caused by a controlled propellant gas discharge through a porous disc in the base of the projectile. A rearwardly exhausting propellant gas generator is ignited by a pressure sensitive igniter. The igniter is actuated by the porous disc which is slidably mounted in the rearward end of the projectile and responsive to a cartridge propelling charge.