Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Richard Brad Cragun

Gary K Lund

Michael Gerard Crilly

Vincent E Mancini

Laura J Martins

John E Delaney, Jr

Richard C Anderson

Charles B Zisette

Nathan M Seidner

Robert D Ciccarelli

Jay D Shuler

Michael V Wells

A precursor formulation of an energetic composition with improved electrostatic charge dissipation, including an amorphous carbon black having a specific surface area of at least about 1,200 m/g, in an amount from about 0.05% by weight to about 0.25% by weight. Also disclosed is a precursor formulation of a propellant composition with improved electrostatic charge dissipation. The amorphous carbon black having a specific surface area of at least about 1,200 m/g may enhance electrostatic charge dissipation of the HTPB-based propellant composition, without affecting a breakdown voltage of the propellant composition.

Precursor formulations for a propellant composition including high surface area amorphous carbon black

In this method for making multi-base propellants, pelletized nitrocellulose is coated with an electrostatically insensitive liquid elastomer precursor or non-plasticizer while wetted in a non-solvent diluent, preferably in the absence of plasticizers. The non-solvent diluent is then substantially, if not completely, removed from the coated nitrocellulose. Then, the coated pelletized nitrocellulose is mixed with a plasticizer and optionally other ingredients and fillers, including energetic fuels such as nitroguanidine. The propellant formulation is then cast, and optionally cured with an acceptable curative, such as a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate. The resulting material may be visually (i.e., to the naked eye) homogeneous. Also, the coated nitrocellulose pellets present during processing have reduced sensitivity to electrostatic discharge.

Method of making multi-base propellants from pelletized nitrocellulose

An assembly and process designed to neutralize a landmine having a case loaded with an explosive charge set to detonate upon actuation. The assembly includes a housing provided with a chamber loaded with a solid propellant. One of the ends of the housing is exposed to permit the loaded propellant to communicate the chamber with the outside atmosphere. The propellant is remotely ignitable via a remotely operable igniter. The first end of said housing is constructed and arranged and the solid propellant is present in an amount and composition suitable for generating, upon ignition of the solid propellant, a plume sufficient in burn time and temperature both to penetrate through the case of the landmine positioned in spaced relation to the first end and to initiate controlled burning of the explosive charge of the landmine so that detonation of the explosive charge is either avoided or reduced due to pre-detonation partial consumption of the explosive charge by burning.

Assembly and process for controlled burning of landmine without detonation

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Pleasant View, UT, United States of America

Richard Brad Cragun