A method and a system for inductively programming a fuze including at least one target coil arranged in a projectile by a fuze setter including at least one setter coil, the method including i) conveying at least one of a projectile or a fuze setter by an actuator to bring the at least one target coil and the at least one setter coil in an inductive coupling position, ii) programming the fuze by transferring predetermined fuzing data from the at least one setter coil to the at least one target coil, iii) optionally transferring fuzing data from the at least one target coil to the at least one setter coil to confirm correct programming of the fuze has been performed, and iv) retracting at least one of the fuze setter or projectile from the inductive coupling position when the transfer of fuzing data has been completed.

Disclosed are an airburst munition and an airburst signal transfer device. By simply signaling information regarding a distance to an explosion location of the airburst munition to an explosion control system inside the airburst munition while the airburst munition passes through a tubular body of the airburst signal transfer device, it is possible to easily, simply, and automatically enter the information regarding the distance to the explosion location of the airburst munition to the airburst munition using the airburst signal transfer device.

A digitally controlled hand-tossable explosive delivery receptacle comprises a ruggedized reusable compartment enclosing a digital circuit and a disposable cartridge holding one or more explosive chemical agents and a primer. The disposable cartridge is configured to be mounted to the ruggedized reusable cartridge, and a high-strength bulkhead incorporated into the reusable or disposable compartment that separates the digital circuit from the chemical agents. The reusable compartment is sufficiently ruggedized to withstand the ignition of the primer and the detonation of the chemical agents to be reused with one or more additional disposable cartridges. In one implementation, the delivery receptacle uses a commercial airbag initiator as the primer, which is arranged in relation to the one or more chemical agents so that when the initiator is activated, it generates a pressure wave that expels the one or more chemical agents from the grenade.

A nonlethal projectile includes a payload for immobilizing and/or identifying a target. The projectile is capable of separating or otherwise opening after launch by a launcher to release the payload prior to impact with a target. The launcher is capable of initiating separation of the projectile. Opening may also be accomplished by a control circuit with a radio-frequency identification (RFID), where an RFID tag in the projectile causes the projectile to open at a specified distance from the launcher. The launcher may include a trigger and/or a safety switch to prevent the projectile from becoming armed until a certain parameter is met. A magazine or breech assembly of the launcher may energize the projectile prior to launch of the projectile.

A lethal projectile for immobilizing a target is capable of self-separating or otherwise opening after launch by a launcher and may release a payload prior to impact with a target. The launcher is capable of initiating separation of the projectile. Opening may also be accomplished by a control circuit with a radio-frequency identification (RFID), where an RFID tag in the projectile causes the projectile to open at a user-specified distance from the launcher or by the force of launch on the projectile. A magazine may hold a plurality of projectiles and the various projectiles of the magazine may each be configured to open specified distances and/or times after launch. The launcher may include a trigger and/or a safety switch to prevent the projectile from becoming armed until a certain parameter is met.

A method and a system for inductively programming a fuze including at least one target coil arranged in a projectile by a fuze setter including at least one setter coil, the method including i) conveying at least one of a projectile or a fuze setter by an actuator to bring the at least one target coil and the at least one setter coil in an inductive coupling position, ii) programming the fuze by transferring predetermined fuzing data from the at least one setter coil to the at least one target coil, iii) optionally transferring fuzing data from the at least one target coil to the at least one setter coil to confirm correct programming of the fuze has been performed, and iv) retracting at least one of the fuze setter or projectile from the inductive coupling position when the transfer of fuzing data has been completed.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a communication system for communicating between a ranged weapon and a projectile for that ranged weapon, the system comprising: a transmitter associated with the ranged weapon, the transmitter being arranged to encode data to be transmitted to the projectile on an electromagnetic carrier wave, and to transmit that electromagnetic carrier wave to the projectile; a receiver associated with the projectile, the receiver being arranged to receive the electromagnetic carrier wave, and to decode data encoded in the electromagnetic carrier wave to retrieve that data, the data being usable in the activation of a fuse of the projectile.

A fuze for an airburst munition determines a corrected muzzle velocity via an on board acceleration sensor and processor and corrects an airburst time, accordingly. Velocity calculations are made in real time which allows for timely update of airburst time thereby preventing error stack up due to muzzle velocity variations.

Disclosed are an airburst munition and an airburst signal transfer device. By simply signaling information regarding a distance to an explosion location of the airburst munition to an explosion control system inside the airburst munition while the airburst munition passes through a tubular body of the airburst signal transfer device, it is possible to easily, simply, and automatically enter the information regarding the distance to the explosion location of the airburst munition to the airburst munition using the airburst signal transfer device.

A system and a method of providing a reliable and consistent time delay in an oil and gas exploration/recovery device inserted in a bore hole is presented. The reliability and consistency of the time delay is a result of the use of electronic circuitry in determining the length of time delay. The system and method presented provide a time delay unit that is modular/commoditized, facilitating quick and easy integration of each component of the time delay unit in the field. Further, assembly and disassembly of the time delay unit is easily accomplished in the field and may be designed to operate with standard percussion and detonation elements.