US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Leon Moy

Timothy Woo

Daniel Lee Prillaman

Viral Panchal

Bishara Elmasri

Christina Morales

Alan J Cohen

Keith R Fulton

Pasquale Carlucci

Shana Groeschler

Patrick Mark

Thomas Wu

Daniel Ruland

Edward Yang

Jacek Foltynski

Nicole Harasts Sapp

Yao Chen

James Grassi

Mark Motyka

Richard Lc Wu

Jason Wasserman

Peter Strong

Jesse Sunderland

Stephen Roberts

Kevin Mulligan

Samantha Blais

The present invention is directed to composite munition cases that burn without significant residue, rugged enough to withstand rough handling, and provides for additional burn rate control over current state of the art metal and combustible munition cases. The munition cases disclose herein utilizes combustible composite materials having an inner and outer walls connected by support structures. The support structures can be radial walls or honeycomb shaped cells. In another embodiment wedge elements assembled into a cylindrical munition case is also proposed. Exemplary composite materials include felted fiber, foam celluloid and polystyrene.

Combustible munition case with cell cavities

Lifting plug

An insensitive munition (IM) feature for a lightweight LW 30 MM ammunition projectile utilizing combustible vent plugs for the projectile, which plugs feature an exclusively nitrocellulose material sheet fused to a metal foil sheet, to plug vent holes in the projectile.

Exoskeleton cartridge case design for LW 30MM ammunition

There is provided a mold apparatus and process whereby a warhead body can be fabricated in a single over molding process which may also include therein metal fragments, metal balls, obturators, boat tails and other aerodynamic features, metal rings and/or threads. Other molds and processes are presented whereby a warhead body may be over molded in a polymer matrix in sequential steps which may include adding therein metal balls, then fragments, and any of obturators, boat tails and other aerodynamic features, metal rings and/or threads, as desired. Still another process for fabricating a warhead body is presented whereby an insert section is first preloaded with metal fragments and covered with a skin, then the insert section is inserted into an oversized area in a mold, and polymer is then loaded around the insert section to form a unitary warhead body.

Method for sequentially fabricating a cartridge casebody through injection molding

A meltable fuze plug for a munition has an upper flange ringed by a specially corrugated steel washer to absorb impacts of various strength levels from various directions, and against falls, to protect the ogive and munition. The meltable fuze plug renders the munition insensitive. It is formed of a meltable plastic for facilitating venting of the munition's interior areas during unexpected fires or explosions.

Energy absorbing flange for meltable fuze plug

A munition is rendered less sensitive to inadvertent initiations by providing a polymer liner on the entire inside surface of the munition. A thermoplastic liner may be fabricated totally within an empty inert munition casing by spraying a layer of electrostatically charged low melt thermoplastic material particles over substantially the entire inside surfaces of the munition casing, which casing is first electrically grounded. After thickening the particle layer through heat, further such layers may be then applied there over, until a desired cumulative thickness liner is fabricated.

Insensitive munitions liner

A multi-purpose non-lethal blunt trauma grenade which produces both blunt trauma effects as well as light and sound effects. The non-lethal blunt trauma grenade comprises a main charge holder configured for not fragmenting upon ignition of the main charge and which includes a plurality of vent holes sized and oriented to balance the propulsive force of gases generated by a main charge.

Multi-purpose non-lethal blunt trauma grenade

A munitions disabling device is disposed in a storage container proximate the muzzle of a single-use weapon. A projectile having a fused warhead is loaded in the weapon prior to storing the weapon. If an unplanned stimulus launches the projectile while the weapon is in the storage container, the projectile will impact or strike the disabling device. The disabling device prevents detonation or explosion of the warhead.

Munitions storage container with disabling device for single-use weapon stored therein

A bleeding mechanism for use in the propulsion system of a recoilless, insensitive munition utilizing a utilizing a fluidic countermass. The present bleeding mechanism utilizes a firing pin or a similar puncture or tear device. A heat sensitive material blocks the movement of the firing pin. A mechanical locking mechanism locks the firing pin in position until it is unlocked by the melting of the heat sensitive material. When the insensitive munition is exposed to heat, the reaction of the heat sensitive material within the bleeding mechanism allows the firing pin to be released and to rupture a cartridge seal. The cartridge may be filled with a compressed compound, which releases gas under pressure to the countermass container, causing a countermass cover to rupture, thereby emptying the countermass fluid.

Bleeding mechanism for use in a propulsion system of a recoilless, insensitive munition

A storage apparatus for a munition that contains energetic material uses a water-filled liner to absorb heat applied from the exterior of the storage apparatus. The liner is disposed between the munition and a metal storage container. The liner has segregated compartments which release water into either the storage container or the liner itself. The released water boils and forms steam. A spiral-shaped steam conduit is formed in either the wall of the storage container or in the liner itself. The steam conduit directs the steam away from the munition. The metal storage container includes a pressure relief valve to release the steam pressure. The storage apparatus delays the detonation of the energetic material in the munition.

Water-lined munition container

A tactical capsule charge system includes a plurality of plastic containers connected serially, mechanically, and explosively by detonating cord. Each plastic container contains composition C-4 that is detonated by the detonating cord that passes through the interior of the container. The quantity of PETN inside the container is enhanced by tying a knot in the detonating cord in the interior of the container or by wrapping the detonating cord in the interior of the container with PETN sheet. Any number of containers may be used and they may be spaced along the detonating cord at any desired interval.

Tactical capsule charge system

A storage container for storing a device containing energetic material may include a metal wall. A venting window may be disposed in the metal wall. The venting window may include a plurality of metal supports that define a plurality of openings therebetween. An ionomer material may cover the plurality of openings. The ionomer material may have a melting temperature lower than an ignition temperature of the energetic material in the device.

Container for storing devices with energetic material

An IM type steel cartridge whose base contains a central bore there through&#x2014;within which bore is a steel base plug holding a primer cup, the base plug being held in place by a low melt, 220 to 250 degree F. melt eutectic solder&#x2014;wherein, if the cartridge is subjected to an unforeseen thermal or kinetic event, the solder will melt, the base plug ejected, and the propellant will vent rather than explode. The solder bond between the base plug and the cartridge case within which it is held is capable of resisting the from about 72,000, to up to 90,000 psi, force generated within the firing chamber of the weapon by the ignition and firing of the cartridge.

Riveted cartridge venting

To hinder activation caused by unplanned stimuli, a munition may include first and second discrete, separable parts. The first and second parts may include interlocking components to prevent relative axial translation of the first and second parts. The first and second parts may be torsionally biased in opposite directions. A binder with a low melting temperature may fix the first and second parts together to prevent the torsional bias from rotating the first and second parts in the opposite directions. When the binder melts, the torsional bias may cause the first part to rotate with respect to the second part. Relative rotation of the first and second parts may allow relative axial translation of the first and second parts.

Mechanical cartridge and grenade venting

An improved 25 mm linked cartridge IM ammunition storage system, using existing ammunition cans, that simplifies the design of the storage system, and utilizes standoffs to separate the base of each cartridge from the ends of the ammunition can&#x2014;thereby allowing the cartridges base IM venting system to vent properly, avoiding pressure build-up, and reducing the risk of explosion or detonation of the propellant.

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Montclair, NJ, United States of America

Leon Moy