A high energy explosive having reduced shock sensitivity for tactical weapon platforms to increase the safety margins to the warfighter if the weapon became involved in an unplanned event on the battlefield. The high energy explosive having a reduced crystalline particle size below about 30 microns, preferably 10 microns, and coated with a thermoplastic elastomer, which is capable of being compressed into a warhead configuration and attached to a weapon. The high energy explosive having a greater than 25% reduction in shock sensitivity compared to the same crystalline energetic material without undergoing size reduction prior to being coated.

Provided herein are noctilucent bang snaps capable of producing flashing light when thrown into the air after a short duration of light absorption and staying luminous for 30 minutes when scattered on the ground after falling and explosion, in order to provide the effects of nighttime visibility and ornament. A preparation method of the noctilucent bang snap is also provided that has the advantages of operational simplicity, technical stability, easy availability of raw materials, product excellence, and extremely high commercial value.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a simulant and method relating to producing a simulant. For example, a simulant of a textured target threat includes a background material associated with a background attenuation, and a texture component(s) dispersed in the background material and associated with a component attenuation and a component characteristic. The component characteristic prevents the component attenuation of the texture component from being homogeneously dispersed throughout the background attenuation of the background material, to cause the simulant to mimic an aspect(s) of an X-ray signature of the textured target threat.

An igniter composition has (i) a source of copper selected from basic copper nitrate, copper oxide, copper hydroxide, and/or copper complex of guanylurea nitrate, (ii) one or more oxidizers, (iii) a binder selected from guanidine nitrate and/or guanylurea nitrate, and (iv) an inorganic fuel comprising an elemental metal or metal hydride selected from the group consisting of: titanium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, iron, and combinations thereof. The igniter composition may be substantially free of boron or contain minimal amounts of boron. A minimum flame temperature at combustion (T.sub.c) of about 2300K (2,027 C.). Such a mixture may be spray dried to form a powder that is compacted to form a solid igniter composition, such as a pellet or grain. The mixture that is spray dried may have a heat of explosion (HEX) of about 1,000 calories per gram (cal/g). Inorganic fuel can then be added to the spray-dried powder.

A high energy explosive having reduced shock sensitivity for tactical weapon platforms to increase the safety margins to the warfighter if the weapon became involved in an unplanned event on the battlefield. The high energy explosive having a reduced crystalline particle size below about 30 microns, preferably 10 microns, and coated with a thermoplastic elastomer, which is capable of being compressed into a warhead configuration and attached to a weapon. The high energy explosive having a greater than 25% reduction in shock sensitivity compared to the same crystalline energetic material without undergoing size reduction prior to being coated.

The present technology is directed to igniter pellets for use with an expendable countermeasure flare assembly with an igniter assembly with a pellet receptacle. An igniter pellet of one or more embodiments has a moisture insensitive first layer formed by a first composition comprising a mixture of a fuel material that includes Boron, an oxidizer material that includes Bismuth Oxide and/or Potassium Perchlorate, and a granular matrix binder holding the fuel material and the oxidizer material together. A second layer is formed by a second composition that has a fuel material that includes Magnesium, an oxidizer that includes Polytetrafluoroethylene, and a binder material that includes a fluoropolymer elastomer. The second layer is contained in the pellet receptacle and covered by the first layer, so that the second layer is isolated and protected from ambient moisture by the moisture insensitive first layer.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a simulant and method relating to producing a simulant. For example, a simulant of a textured target threat includes a background material associated with a background attenuation, and a texture component(s) dispersed in the background material and associated with a component attenuation and a component characteristic. The component characteristic prevents the component attenuation of the texture component from being homogeneously dispersed throughout the background attenuation of the background material, to cause the simulant to mimic an aspect(s) of an X-ray signature of the textured target threat.

The invention relates to a propellant element, the propellant element comprising the following components: at least one pyrotechnical material; at least one processing agent based on a monocarboxylic acid with the following formula

RCOOH

wherein R is an organic residue. Furthermore, a method for producing the propellant element is described.

A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters for downhole applications is provided. The heat source has a solid fuel composition that comprises thermite and a binding agent. The binding agent serving to maintain the solid form of the solid fuel composition during burning and ensure a predetermined uniform heating pattern can be provided for longer. The solid fuel composition can be provided in the form of blocks. The solid fuel composition can also be provided in the form of a plurality of fragments that, during burning, behave more like powdered thermite and have the ability to flow.

A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters for downhole applications is provided. The heat source has a solid fuel composition that comprises thermite and a binding agent. The binding agent serves to maintain the solid form of the solid fuel composition during burning and ensure a predetermined uniform heating pattern can be provided for longer. The solid fuel composition can be provided in the form of blocks. The solid fuel composition can also be provided in the form of a plurality of fragments that, during burning, behave more like powdered thermite and can flow.