A firearm propulsion system for releasing a projectile from a firearm includes a firearm having a chamber, a barrel, and a firing pin with a primer. A supply port is passed through at least one of the barrel and the chamber so as to reach the interior. A control valve is in communication with the supply port and is configured to regulate the passage of pressurized gas into the at least one of the barrel and the chamber from the supply port. A sensor is included in the chamber and is configured to detect the location of the projectile passing through the chamber after firing the firearm. A control system communicates with the control valve and the sensor to selectively release pressurized gas into the chamber after firing.

A rocket which can be propelled spirally from a rifling-free launcher tube without backblast includes a warhead, a rocket body, and a rocket motor including: an outer casing whose bottom has inclined propulsion-gas outlet holes; a first supporting member coupled to the outer casing; a first bullet on the first supporting member; a connecting member with first and second connecting portions, the first connecting portion connected to the first bullet; an inner casing in the outer casing; a second supporting member coupled to the inner casing and the second connecting portion and having a shielding portion; a metal plate in the second supporting member, with a through hole shielded by the shielding portion; an elastic member on the metal plate; a second bullet on the second supporting member, abutting against the elastic member; and a plastic cover covering the second bullet to form a gunpowder chamber in the inner casing.

A hole in geologic material, such as a wellbore, may be extended by impacting the working face of the hole with high velocity projectiles. A tube may be placed within the hole, and the lower end of the tube may be sealed to prevent ingress of material from the hole into the tube. A projectile may be accelerated through the tube, such as by igniting a combustible gas mixture to impart a force to the projectile. The impact of the projectile may extend the hole. In some cases, accelerated projectiles may be used in conjunction with a drill bit to drill a wellbore or other type of hole.

A multi-part projectile accelerator to be used in the single or multiple projectile mode, constructed of the hollow and tubular body which may either self-disconnect, once the projectile leaves the barrel, or stay with the projectile for the duration of the flight; which may also include the ring member designed to fit into the grooves of the rifled barrel in order to assist in maintaining the rotation of an accelerator.

A multi-part projectile accelerator to be used in the single or multiple projectile mode, constructed of the hollow and tubular body which may either self-disconnect, once the projectile leaves the barrel, or stay with the projectile for the duration of the flight; which may also include the ring member designed to fit into the grooves of the rifled barrel in order to assist in maintaining the rotation of an accelerator.

A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.

A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.

A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.

A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.

One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second.