When the tension across the cord's 24 length reaches a predetermined threshold, an activation mechanism within the payload 16 and coupled to one of the cord's 24 ends is actuated in order to activate the payload 16. Activating the payload 16 may include deactivating a SAFU, activating a motor 32 disposed within the housing, or causing flight controls to extend from a housed position. Here, “within the payload 16” may mean part of the activation mechanism is disposed on the outer surface or housing of the payload 16.

A small arms form factor munition may package a control section with a deployment section in a munition case. The control section can have a first drag mechanism and a second drag mechanism. Firing the munition case from a firearm propels the load from the munition case and barrel of the firearm towards a target. A drag mechanism is selected and activated by the control section in response to a detected distance to the target while the load is in flight. The drag mechanism alters a flight characteristic of the load.

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.

An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

The present invention provides a payload activation device, the device comprising a housing; a cord disposed within the housing and arranged to be coupled at a first end to an activation mechanism within a payload; and a retardation device coupled to the second end of the cord, wherein, in a first configuration, the retardation device is retained within or adjacent to the housing, and, in a second configuration, the retardation device is released from the housing to tauten the cord, and wherein, at a predetermined tension, the cord activates the activation mechanism. The present invention also provides a deployable payload having the payload activation device.

An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

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.

The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for a time-delayed command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, and/or lateral offset from the projectile to the target. A time to detonation clock is used to determine when a projectile transitions from an exterior to an interior of a structure such that the projectile can more accurately detonate within a fixed structure.