A system and method for a programmable trigger device for a firearm, capable of situational awareness providing intelligent contextual data related to projectile management to a downstream firing device. In particular, a smart trigger system that evaluates targets in line-of-fire, estimated target age, estimated target distance, and other contextual data that is then passed along to a programmable device. The device, as provided by the consumer of this invention, may make the determination then whether to eject or prevent ejection of a bullet after the trigger is activated, firing an alternative shot based on environmental factors of which the device is aware, or other activations or deactivations as seen fit.

A system and method for a programmable trigger device for a firearm, capable of situational awareness providing intelligent contextual data related to projectile management to a downstream firing device. In particular, a smart trigger system that evaluates targets in line-of-fire, estimated target age, estimated target distance, and other contextual data that is then passed along to a programmable device. The device, as provided by the consumer of this invention, may make the determination then whether to eject or prevent ejection of a bullet after the trigger is activated, firing an alternative shot based on environmental factors of which the device is aware, or other activations or deactivations as seen fit.

An optical trigger for bows, crossbows and firearms preferably includes a trigger member, a light source and a light receiver. The trigger member is pivotally retained relative to at least one surface with a pivot rod. The trigger member preferably includes a pull area and an actuation area. An actuation hole is preferably formed above a pivot point. The actuation hole allows light to travel from the light source to the light receiver. The light source and the light receiver are retained relative to one of first and second sides of the trigger member. One end of a spring is engaged with an edge of the actuation area and the other end is retained relative to a support surface. It is preferable to have a light shield located on opposing sides of the trigger member. Each light shield surrounds the actuation hole and the light source or light receiver.

A recoilless firearm apparatus for firing at least one bullet of a respective standard cartridge, including a front barrel, a disposable firing activator and a rear discharge opening formed behind the front barrel and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the front barrel. The standard cartridge further includes a casing having an external diameter that is smaller than the rear cartridge-chamber diameter, wherein the casing encloses a sealed inner-casing space that contains gunpowder, and wherein the casing includes a primer. Upon activating the primer, the primer explodes to thereby detonate the gunpowder, forming propellant gasses inside the cartridge that are directed both forward and backward as follows: a) forward: firing of the bullet via the front barrel; and b) backward: pushing, by a recoil force F.sub.p, the casing, being a counterweight to the bullet, to thereby eject the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

A recoilless firearm apparatus for firing at least one bullet of a respective standard cartridge, including a front barrel, a disposable firing activator and a rear discharge opening formed behind the front barrel and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the front barrel. The standard cartridge further includes a casing having an external diameter that is smaller than the rear cartridge-chamber diameter, wherein the casing encloses a sealed inner-casing space that contains gunpowder, and wherein the casing includes a primer. Upon activating the primer, the primer explodes to thereby detonate the gunpowder, forming propellant gasses inside the cartridge that are directed both forward and backward as follows: a) forward: firing of the bullet via the front barrel; and b) backward: pushing, by a recoil force F.sub.p, the casing, being a counterweight to the bullet, to thereby eject the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

A fuze for a projectile intended to be fired by a cannon by ignition of a propellant charge using an electric igniter. This fuze is allowed to pass from a safety position to an armed position following the fire by releasing at least two different safeties. This fuze includes a capacitor which is intended to be connected to the electric igniter and which charges during the ignition of the propellant charge, and also a computer which detects the charge of the capacitor in order to allow the arming of the fuze when this charge is greater than or equal to a reference value, the charge of the capacitor constituting a first fire safety.

A fuze for a projectile intended to be fired by a cannon by ignition of a propellant charge using an electric igniter. This fuze is allowed to pass from a safety position to an armed position following the fire by releasing at least two different safeties. This fuze includes a capacitor which is intended to be connected to the electric igniter and which charges during the ignition of the propellant charge, and also a computer which detects the charge of the capacitor in order to allow the arming of the fuze when this charge is greater than or equal to a reference value, the charge of the capacitor constituting a first fire safety.

A system and method for a programmable trigger device for a firearm, capable of situational awareness providing intelligent contextual data related to projectile management to a downstream firing device. In particular, a smart trigger system that evaluates targets in line-of-fire, estimated target age, estimated target distance, and other contextual data that is then passed along to a programmable device. The device, as provided by the consumer of this invention, may make the determination then whether to eject or prevent ejection of a bullet after the trigger is activated, firing an alternative shot based on environmental factors of which the device is aware, or other activations or deactivations as seen fit.

A system and method for a programmable trigger device for a firearm, capable of situational awareness providing intelligent contextual data related to projectile management to a downstream firing device. In particular, a smart trigger system that evaluates targets in line-of-fire, estimated target age, estimated target distance, and other contextual data that is then passed along to a programmable device. The device, as provided by the consumer of this invention, may make the determination then whether to eject or prevent ejection of a bullet after the trigger is activated, firing an alternative shot based on environmental factors of which the device is aware, or other activations or deactivations as seen fit.

A projectile propulsion system comprises a housing defining a chamber, a propulsive charge including a propulsive charge material loadable into the chamber, a projectile loadable into the chamber proximate to the propulsive charge material, an electric pulse discharge subsystem that provides an electric pulse having a specified pulse amperage for a specified pulse period, a current delivery subsystem electrically connecting the electric pulse discharge subsystem to the chamber to deliver the electric pulse to the propulsive charge material, wherein the specified pulse amperage and the specified pulse period are sufficient to cause at least a portion of the propulsive charge material to generate a propulsive force that is at least partially directed onto the projectile to drive the projectile out of the chamber, and a barrel in fluid communication with the chamber configured to receive the projectile as it is driven from the chamber.