A system for alerting a user to a state of a weapon includes a safety assembly, operably coupled to the weapon and operable to selectively render the weapon into either a safe mode or a firing mode. A motor is carried by the weapon and is operably coupled to the safety assembly so as to be engaged when the weapon is in the firing mode. The motor is operable to impart vibratory motion to the weapon of sufficient magnitude that a wielder of the weapon can tactilely sense the vibratory motion without visually inspecting the weapon to thereby sense that the weapon is in the firing mode without visually inspecting the weapon.

This disclosure describes various techniques and systems for rapid low-cost access to suborbital and orbital space and accommodation of acceleration of sensitive payloads to space. For example, a distributed gas injection system may be used in a ram accelerator to launch multiple payloads through the atmosphere. Additionally or alternatively, multiple projectiles may assemble during flight through the atmosphere to transfer and/or resources to another projectile.

This disclosure describes various techniques and systems for rapid low-cost access to suborbital and orbital space and accommodation of acceleration of sensitive payloads to space. For example, a distributed gas injection system may be used in a ram accelerator to launch multiple payloads through the atmosphere. Additionally or alternatively, multiple projectiles may assemble during flight through the atmosphere to transfer and/or resources to another projectile.

A 40 millimeter (mm) projectile is capable of deploying a payload out of the rear of the projectile. The projectile carries the payload an extended distance from the muzzle and then disperses the payload after a command is provided to the projectile. The projectile includes a proximity fuze which allows it to sense a target and disperse the payload at a given distance from the target. Alternatively, a time-based fuze or radio frequency (RF) based fuze may be employed instead. The payload may be used against a variety of targets, such as personnel, vehicle or aerial targets. In addition, the projectile could be used as a training device for proximity, preprogrammed or RF-controlled fuzed projectiles.

A 40 millimeter (mm) projectile is capable of deploying a payload out of the rear of the projectile. The projectile carries the payload an extended distance from the muzzle and then disperses the payload after a command is provided to the projectile. The projectile includes a proximity fuze which allows it to sense a target and disperse the payload at a given distance from the target. Alternatively, a time-based fuze or radio frequency (RF) based fuze may be employed instead. The payload may be used against a variety of targets, such as personnel, vehicle or aerial targets. In addition, the projectile could be used as a training device for proximity, preprogrammed or RF-controlled fuzed projectiles.

A projectile deployment system includes a projectile casing having a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of a pair of anchors of an entangling projectile having a tether connecting the pair of anchors. Each of the pair of sockets is angled equally relative to a centerline defined between the sockets. One or more pressure sources is capable of generating a pressure wave capable of expelling one or more of the anchors from the sockets to deploy the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A controller is operable to activate one or both of the pressure sources. A sight is oriented along a target line, the target line being offset relative to the centerline defined between the sockets such that when the anchors are deployed from the projectile casing they exhibit differing flight characteristics.

A projectile deployment system includes a projectile casing having a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of a pair of anchors of an entangling projectile having a tether connecting the pair of anchors. Each of the pair of sockets is angled equally relative to a centerline defined between the sockets. One or more pressure sources is capable of generating a pressure wave capable of expelling one or more of the anchors from the sockets to deploy the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A controller is operable to activate one or both of the pressure sources. A sight is oriented along a target line, the target line being offset relative to the centerline defined between the sockets such that when the anchors are deployed from the projectile casing they exhibit differing flight characteristics.

A cassette for deploying one or more anchors can include at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source and at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket. At least one slidable piston can be positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket. The slidable piston can include a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component. A portion of the piston can be seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket.

A cassette for deploying one or more anchors can include at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source and at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket. At least one slidable piston can be positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket. The slidable piston can include a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component. A portion of the piston can be seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket.

An entangling projectile for use with a projectile deployment system includes a pair of pellets. At least one of the pair of pellets has a head with a head outer diameter and a shank with a shank outer diameter, the shank outer diameter being less than the head outer diameter. A tether connects the pair of pellets. A centering shroud is carried by a shank of the at least one of the pair of pellets. The centering shroud has at least one tether opening formed therein to receive the tether. The tether is coupled to the pellet and extends along the shank of the pellet and through the at least one tether opening formed in the centering shroud.