Importance

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Abstract

An electronic safe arm & fire (ESAF) device has a common module and a pair of programmable devices that are readily configurable to different missile types. The ESAF device has a first static arming switch that is controlled by the first programmable device and a second static arming switch that is controlled by the second programmable device. The ESAF device has a firing module that has an exploding foil initiator. The common module and the firing module can be configured as a standalone module in close proximity to a warhead or can be integrated into a warhead. The common module has some inputs that are used by all the missiles in a group for the same signals; some inputs that are used by all the missiles, but for different signals; and, some inputs that are used by some of the missile, but not by all of the missiles. The common module has an input port for a separation signal, a communications port for a fuze data signal, and an input port for a signal that can be used to determine safe separation. The first programmable device is a microcontroller. The second programmable device can be a microcontroller or a programmable logic device. The first programmable device and the second programmable device perform a built-in test by checking the other device against a hardwired value. The ESAF device has a dynamic switch that is turned on by one of the programmable devices and controlled by the other programmable device.

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First Claim