I.

SPACE ORDNANCE SYSTEMS

/ PYROTECHNICS

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Explosives
3. Explosive Initiators
4. Igniters
5. Pyro mechanical systems
6. High explosive systems
7. Safety and Arming systems

1.INTRODUCTION
Pyrotechnic systems perform mission critical
functions in rocket flight by controlled use of
explosive power. They are:
-Ignition of rocket motors.
-Separation of spent stages.
-Heat shield separation.
-Satellite separation.
-Solar panel & boom deployment.
-Operation of flow control valves of the
propulsion systems in rockets and satellites.

WORKING PRINCIPLE
Energy contained in explosive charge is
utilized to carry out the desired function as
per design.

Controlled use of explosive POWER has

enabled difficult functions in aerospace
systems to be performed as per design.

ADVANTAGES

1.High power / weight ratio.

2.High reliability.
3.Simplicity of design.
4.Small / Compact size.
5.Low operating current.
6.Simple circuit.
7.Ability to deliver more energy in a very short
time.

DISADVANTAGES
1.Single shot device and hence NO functional
check is possible before flight.
2.Pyrotechnic shock can cause damage to
other systems.
3.Presence of explosive material is not
comfortable.
4.Possibilty of inadvertent firing .

PARADOX AND EDICT

Earlier stages of Space Shuttle progaramme had
an Edict that there would be no pyrotechnic in
the vehicle or payload because they were not
reusable.
However, each Shuttle mission had over 400
pyrotechnic components, with some used in
flight and others only for emergencies.
Such is the importance of pyrotechnics for
aerospace applications and it has become an
inevitable & indispensible technology.

2.EXPLOSIVES

AD 700 : Discovery of black / gun powder.

AD 1000 : Use in weapons of war.
AD 1548 : Use in civilian fields- mining etc.
AD 1848 : Italian professor Ascanio Sobrero
discovered liquid Nitro Glycerin.
Later on, NG was commercialized by
Immanuel Nobel and his son Alfred B. Nobel.

 This pioneering work led to the invention of

fulminate detonator and discovery of kiesel
ghur, an effective absorbent of liquid NG.
With this, the science of pyrotechnics opened
up for effective use of explosive POWER in
civil and military fields.
Many compounds like NC, Cordite, TNT, RDX,
HMX were formulated.
Each one of the above has its own merits and
demerits.

 Chemically, explosive process is Oxidation.

1 kg of TNT gives 4080 kJ of energy.
1 kg of petrol gives 30,000 k J of energy on
combustion.
But the usefulness of explosive is derived from
the speed / rate at which energy is released
rather than the quantity of it.
The search for synthetic dyes resulted in
production of compounds containing one or
more Nitro groups, many of which are
explosives themselves.

 The oxygen for combustion is held in NO2 group.

Such a group may be attached to O/C/ N atom in
the molecule and are called Nitrate /Nitro /
Nitramine respectively.
On appropriate initiation, these compounds will
explode violently.
The molecular structure breaks down on
explosion, leaving momentarily disorganized
mass of atoms.
These, immediately recombine to give
predominantly gaseous products and evolve
considerable amount of heat-Heat of Explosion.

2.1 Classification/Types
For reliable function, a minimum of two
explosives are used in succession.
1st material is priming explosive and helps in
triggering the 2nd charge.
2nd charge is less sensitive but of high power
output to perform the required work.
Based on the explosive characteristics, the major
classifications are:
(i) Primer/ initiating charges.
(ii) Deflagrating materials/Pyrotechnic charges
(iii) High explosives.

(i) Primer / initiating charges : have high

degree of sensitivity to initiation through
shock, friction, electric spark or temperature
but not too sensitive. Examples are: Lead
azide, Lead styphanate.
(ii) Deflagratory materials: undergo
combustion to produce heat & gas.
- These are more stable than primary charges
and are set off by initiators to produce
combustion products which perform the work.

- Different forms such as loose powder, grain,

pressed, cast or extruded charges are used.
- Some burn layer by layer like the propellant
but more rapidly and are used as gas
generator.
- Pressure cartridges are used in igniters of solid
motors, in actuation devices like valves and
thrusters.
- Examples are: NC powder, Aluminiumammonium per chlorate or Boron-potassium
nitrate .

(iii) High explosives: when initiated suitably,

dissociates almost instantaneously to
detonate into other stable compounds to
produce gas & high temperature.
- The fast detonation generates shock waves
and the rate of decomposition is limited by
the velocity at which the charge can transmit
the wave.
- Examples are: RDX, TNT, PETN etc.

3. EXPLOSIVE INITIATORS
An activation energy is to be applied on the
explosive charge to initiate chemical reaction.
Means of this energy inputs are:
- electrical
- mechanical
- shock wave
- Laser
- semi conductor bridge
- combination of the above.

3.1 Electrical

Electro Explosive Devices ( EED ) are hot wire

initiators and has two types.
- (i) Squibs and Cartridges.
- (ii) Detonators.
- Squib is a thin resistance wire ( 15-100 micron
diameter) on heating raises the temperature of
the primer charge.
- Cartridge is an additional charge , placed adjacent
to primer picks up the flash to produce hot gas.
- Detonators are high explosive devices unlike
squibs & initiate other high explosives.

FIG.1 & 2. SQUIB & CARTRIDGE

 SQUIB is the most commonly used type of

initiator where small resistance wire on heating
raises the local temperature sufficient to cause
deflagration of heat sensitive prime charge in
contact to give a flash of flame.
CARTRIDGES have additional charge adjacent to
primer, picks up from flash to produce
combustion gas & heat which becomes the
power source for subsequent energy release
system.
- Igniter cartridge:
Ignition of propellant.
- Pressure cartridge: Thrusting function.
. Glass to Metal seal at electrical pins ensure leak
tightness and electrical isolation.

 Inadvertent firing of electrical initiators can be

caused by maximum induced current that
could reach EED due to the following:
- Test instrumentation.
- RF sources of on-board & ground.
- Parallel power lines.
- Human static discharge.
. Keeping a margin over this estimate, a safe
current(no fire current) is specified for EEDs.
. Electrical sensitivity of squibs is defined by
means of No fire & All fire limits.

 No fire: allowable current without firing.

All fire: required current for consistent firing.
Slightly lower than AFC can cause functional
delay with larger dispersions.
Very high current can lead to fusing of the
bridge in such a short time, heat input to flash
charge in contact may be insufficient for
ignition.
Hence Recommended Fire Current (RFC) is to
be specified along with safe upper limit.

 Most frequently used method for determining

firing energy sensitivity limits is the Brucetin
Staircase method.
This is a statistical tool in which closely
controlled constant energy levels are applied
in discreet steps.
This method provides an accurate estimate of
NFC and AFC for the desired reliability and
confidence level.

 (ii) Detonators are high explosive devices

unlike squibs and they produce maximum
brisance.

They have squibs and high explosive charge

and are used to initiate other explosives.

3.2 Through Bulkhead Initiators (TBI)

This has a mechanical bulkhead of steel, with
explosive charge on either side-Donor and
Acceptor charges.
A shock wave is transmitted through the
bulkhead causes initiation of acceptor without
rupturing the integrity of bulkhead.
The donor charge is usually initiated using a
Confined Detonating Fuse (CDF) in the form of a
Explosive Transfer Assembly (ETA) which
transmits the explosive stimulus at detonation
velocity of (7-8 km/s) and confines all the
products of detonation.

FIG.3. TBH Initiator

3.3 Laser Initiator

Relatively new concept & recent entry into aerospace
applications.
Consists of a laser firing unit, fibre optic cable for
transmission and sealed optic window to directly
initiate explosives.
As laser is insensitive to stray electrostatic discharge,
the system is highly safe from accidental initiation
when compared to others
Directly Used for high explosive charges.
In rockets, laser systems make light & compact
A single unit can initiate multiple events.
Has the advantage of the line continuity check up to
the point of initiation(end to end).
Good no fire levels. Devices are ESD & RF tolerant.

FIG.4. Laser Initiator

3.4 SCB Initiator

Innovative system of n-doped poly silicon layer
formed on a silicon substrate over which
aluminium are provided as a means of electrical
connections to the bridge.
A current pulse through SCB causes the bridge to
burst into a bright plasma discharge in
microseconds, which transfers the enegy to the
charge.
Mode of heating is convective, localized to
ignition zone,less energy to loss to surrounding
materials. Ignition energies are low(5mJ).

FIG.5. SCB Initiator

4. IGNITERS

Ignition is the first and one of the most crucial

events of a rocket launch.
It consists of a series of events in specified
sequence, starting from the firing pulse to the
rocket motor pressurization until steady state
conditions are reached providing the required
thrust to the vehicle.
The function of the igniter in a solid motor is to
raise the motor propellant surface to a chemical
and thermal state that results in sustained
combustion within a specified time.
For optimum ignition, proper interaction of
temperature & pressure as well as time are of
significance.

4.1 Types of Igniters

Based on the energy release system of the
igniter that produces the heat flux and
pressure required for combustion of the
motor.
Accordingly the two types are:
- Pyrotechnics: for small motors.
- Pyrogen
: for large boosters and
high altitude ignition.

4.1.1 Pyrotechnic igniters

Consists of charge in the form of a powder,
granule or pellets.
Powders are less preferred due to tendency
towards excessive ignition shock and
brisance.
Risk of segregation of constituents under
shock and vibration environments.
Pellets are preferred due to their ballistics
reproducibility and controlled & longer
burning time.

 Same mix as powder is added to a binder resin

to facilitate granulation or pelletizing.
Composition contain both fuel, oxidizer &
metal powder in the form of elements, alloys
or compounds.
Fuels are hydrocarbons, carbohydrates or
sulphides of arsenic or antimony.
Oxidizers are easily reducible metallic oxides
or peroxides, perchlorates and chromates of
alkali and alkaline earth metals.
Metallic powders are Al, Mg, Fe, B, Mn, Ti .

 Hardware is in the form of vented / perforated

tubes.
Initiation is through electrical means.
Selection of igniter material is based on:
-Propellant & motor characteristics.
-Igniter transient requirements.
-Environmental/service conditions.

FIG.6. Pyrotechnic Igniter

4.2. Design of Pyrotechnic Igniter

Chamber pressure to be induced by igniter
can be 40 - 50% of maximum operating
pressure of motor( MEOP ).
An empirical equation Nobel-Abel equation is
used for estimating igniter charge quantity-

Design Aspects/Issues
Once charge weight is established, other
dimensional details related to pellet and
igniter tube are fixed ; some aspects are
- Attrition of pellets should be less than 4%.
- Pellets dimensions are decided based on
igniter burn time.
-Vent area of igniter charge holder is kept at
least 40% of total surface area.
- Control of size of openings in in the tube is
to ensure 75% of pellets are consumed
retaining pellets within.

4.2. Pyrogen Igniters

These are, in fact small rocket motors designed in
accordance with the same principles of solid rocket
motors.
Consists of a cast propellant grain of the fast burning
type as main charge.
Ballistics can be predetermined from known
parameters.
Longer duration burning & higher reproducibility than
pyrotechnics igniter.
Initiation of grain produces hot gas which ignites main
propellant.
Ignition chain usually consists of an initiator & a
booster charge in addition to main charge.

FIG.7. Pyrogen Igniter

 Constitution of ignition grain are fuel, oxidizer,

binder & curative agent along with a variety of
additions similar to solid propellant.
Higher percentage of fine oxidizer particles is
required for higher burn rate.
Hence, fuel percentage is less at the cost of
reduced flame temperature.
Further, oxides of Al & Boron could inhibit motor
propellant surface.
Typical oxidizers are APC, AN and PPC .
Common binders are PVC, PBAN, CTPB, HTPB.
Other components are similar to motor grain.

 DIFFERENCES between Igniter & motor

propellant are:
-Higher burn rate: 15-25 mm/s at 7 MPa.
- Lower calorific value.
- Lower specific impulse.
- Fine oxidizer particles of varying sizes.
- Higher percentage of gas in combustion
products.

 Pyrogen igniters for large motors have high

mass flow rates requiring use of an additional/
tandem igniter which is a smaller pyrogen
igniter internal to main igniter that initiates
the main igniter grain.
This combination resembles a miniature
rocket motor by itself. Examples are:
-Arianne V booster-P 230: 470 dia X 1180 L
-JSA H II booster : 370 dia X 638 L
- PS1/GS1 S 139 : 430 dia X 1150 L
- STS - SRB
: ????

5. PYRO MECHANICAL DEVICES

These are used for a variety of applications in
aerospace:
-Staging systems in LV.
- Heat shield jettison / separation in LV.
- Destruct systems in LV.
- Deployment mechanisms in SC.
- Flow control systems valves; NO / NC types
in both LV and SC.

 Combustion of explosives pressurizes a pistoncylinder assembly so that piston movement

executes the desired mechanical function.
This is similar to IC engine but an one-shot
engine.
Pyro charge is held in the cartridge and on
actuation pyro gas pressurizes the piston to do
the intended work / function.
Classification of pyrodevices :
- Pyro cutter.
- Pyro valve.
- Pyro thruster.

5.1.1.PYRO CUTTERS
These are used in separation system & release
system for cutting of bolts & cables which are
used for keeping structures in position.
On actuation of these devices, the bolt/cable is
cut leading to separation & release of the
members held together.
A typical pyro cutter comprises cutter and anvil
between which the bolt/cable passes.
Either the cutter or anvil or in certain cases both
are attached to the piston.
When the pyro cartridge is fired, the pistons are
pressurized & force the cutter & anvil against
each other resulting in cutting of bolt / cable.

FIG.8. Pyro cutter

FIG.9. Merman Band Separation System

 Bolt cutters are used in merman band based

separation system and consists of a fore-end
ring connected to the upper stage and an aftend ring connected to the lower stage.
Both rings have wedge shaped flanges and are
held together at the flanges by two semicircular bands ( merman band ).
The bands are held tightly because of bolts.
During separation, the bolts are cut using bolt
cutters, which release the merman bands and
facilitates separation of stages.

 In satellites, the common deployment functions

are done for Solar panel, Antenna and Solar boom.
The solar panels are usually folded and are tied by
steel ropes in launch configuration. In orbit, at the
time of panel deployment, the rope is cut by pyro
cutter thus releasing the tie and the spring loaded
panel is deployed to its stretched condition.
The solar boom and antenna are folded& held by
bolts during launch. In orbit, when the pyro
cutters cut the bolts, the spring loaded mechanism
releases the boom or antenna to its deployed
position.

5.1.2. Pyrovalves
These are used in fluid flow lines of aerospace by
opening & closing of fluid flow paths.
Two types are generally used. Normally open (NO) and
normally closed (NC).
NO pyro valves have a wedge shaped valve pistons
when forced by pyro gas shears the already open fluid
line & block the flow path.
NC pyro valves have a diaphragm in the line blocking
the flow in pre-fire condition. When the valve is
actuated, the pyro gas pressure forces the valve piston
to shear the diaphragm enabling fluid flow.
Relative taper between piston & cylinder enables
positive retention in post fire position.

FIG.10. N.C. Pyrovalve

 Pyro valves alone can ensure effective control;

Being leak tight before & after fire condition
and high reliability.
Wide application meeting specific
requirements in liquid propulsion systems.
In cryogenic systems, numerous pyro valves
are used for safe & reliable operations.
In spacecraft propulsion systems, pyro valves
are used in apogee kick motors.

5.1.3.Pyrothrusters
These are the simplest of the pyro devices
with ordinary piston-cylinder arrangement.
On pyro cartridge firing, the pyro gas forces
the piston to do the external thrusting
function .
Thrusting requirements dictate the rate of
pressurization based on which the pyro charge
in the cartridge is selected.
Used for a variety of jettisoning & unlocking
functions and Ball Release Mechanism (BRM)
is one of them.

FIB.11. Pyro thruster

 BRM is used where separation shock is

minimum and there no environmental
contamination.
Fore-end ring of upper stage and aft-end ring
of lower stage are connected by locking
together by a set of steel balls.
A retainer ring passing inside the ring holds
the balls in position and used for locking as
well as unlocking of the joint.

FIG.12. Ball Release Separation System

 The system is unlocked by rotating the

retainer ring by an angle through the
actuation of pyro thrusters.
When the retainer ring is rotated, the holes in
the retainer ring are aligned to the ball
position and allow the balls to slip into these
holes by the reaction forces, thereby
unlocking the joint.
Commonly used in satellite separation system
needing zero contamination & least shock.

5.2 Design of a Pyro device

According to the configuration of the device, the
operating resistance to the movement of piston is
first estimated.
The resistance may be the load required to
- cut a bolt in the bolt cutter.
- shear a diaphragm in the case of a valve.
- thrusting force in the case of a pyothruster
. Based on the load displacement data, the profile
is first plotted to quantify the different
resistances encountered by the device piston at
each displacement.
. A safe margin of 10% is added to this to account
for frictional losses.

 The minimum pressure to be developed by

the pyro cartridge in the initial volume of the
device is so chosen that, even during adiabatic
expansion, the piston will deliver adequate
force to overcome the resistances.
The piston diameter is fixed in such a way that
the operating pressure do not become very
high so as to pose problem to hardware
integrity and seals.
From this minimum pressure, the charge
quantity required for the particular device is
fixed by Nobel-Abel equation.

0.0264F
P
1 0.06

P=minimum pressure developed by charge-psi

F= impetus value for charge in ft.lb/lb.
= charge loading quantity in g/ in3.
The minimum pressure required for the device
functioning based on the energy requirements
can be checked by an approximation assuming
the expansion to be adiabatic.

2w(1 ) 1 1
Pi
V

V
2
1

V1

Pi = pressure in the initial volume.

V1 = initial volume in the device before piston
movement.
V2 = final volume in the device after piston
movement.
= average ratio of specific heat ratios of pyro

gas.
W = energy requirement by the device.
.These are simplified ways of solving the design problems.
.Mathematical modeling and FEM analysis give better insight.

 Usual design checks on the hardware elements are:

-threads and seals.
- buckling load on slender columns.
- hoop stress on pressure vessels.
- torsion stress on sections subjected to torque.
. Factor of safety on gradual loads are taken on the
yield strength of material.
. Factor of safety on loads which act only during the
pyro actuation and which are instantaneous may be
taken on ultimate tensile strength of the material.

 There are many other design elements involved

which may appear simple, but they get
complicated when subjected to very high pyro
pressure like 3000 kg.f / cm2 .
Dynamic seals are one such critical element in a
pyro device design.
O rings are the usual choice as seal, but under
severe operating condition, flexible bellows and
controlled interference fits are used.
All failure modes are avoided and reliability is
proven by subjecting the design to vigorous
testing.

5.3 High Explosive Devices & Systems

HEDS make use of the shock generated by high
explosives for the functions like severance,
fragmentation, expansion etc.
Detonation of HEM involves passing of a shock
wave through the material, which initiates the
chemical decomposition of the material.
A zone of total decomposition and formation of
gas follows the wave until the charge is
completely consumed.
Only the detonation velocity at which the
material can transmit the wave, limits the rate of
decomposition.

 Factors affecting the detonation velocity are:

- loading density of the charge.
- diameter of the charge.
- confinement of the detonator.
- strength of the detonator.
. The relation gives effect of loading density of the
charge under the condition that the charge is well
confined and has reasonable diameter.
D1 = D2 + 3500 ( 1 - 2 )
D1 =detonation velocity at c.l.d of 1.
D 2 = detonation velocity at c.l.d of 2

 Marshalls relation for detonation velocity D:

D 430 n.Td 3500( 1)

n= number of moles of gaseous products per
gram of explosive detonated.
Td = temperature of detonation in K.
= charge density in g / cc.
. The peak dynamic pressure in the shock front is
called the detonation pressure of the explosive.
. Cooks method is used for its calculation.

 Cooks equation :
P = . D 2 . 2.5 X 10 --6
.

P = detonation pressure in kilo bars.

= charge loading density in g /cc.
D = detonation velocity in m / s.

(i) Explosive Bolts.

These are reliable & efficient mechanical
fastening devices having special features of a
built-in release mechanism; used for stage
separation and release of external structures.
An explosive bolt consists of a bolt with an
inside cavity containing a high explosive
charge; it also has external notches at the
places where it is intended to break.
When the explosive is detonated, the shock
wave generated increases the stress at the
notch planes beyond the UTS of bolt material
resulting in the severance of the bolt.

FIG.13. Explosive Bolt

(ii) Explosive nuts

These are devices classified as bolt release
mechanisms .
In many cases, it is advantageous to use explosive
separation nuts rather than explosive bolts as
unfastening devices.
Explosive nuts in contrast to explosive bolt has
webs(stress concentrators) machined on nut.
The threads pass through the nut and they have
provisions to hold explosives in it.
In assembly the fastening bolt is held by the nut
and, when the explosive is detonated, the shock
wave generated will increase the stress at the
web beyond the UTS of material causing the nut
split into pieces.

FIG.14. Explosive Nuts

 The arrangement of the web can be made in

such a way that the number of splits can be
controlled.
There are different configurations of captive
and non-captive nuts.
Captive nuts have provision to capture and
retain the split pieces after firing while noncaptive nuts do not have such a feature.

Applications
External stages like strap-on motors or
external tanks which are attached to main
vehicle body are separated by explosive bolts
or nuts or both.
- ASLV strap-on cases : explosive bolts.
- PSLV strap-on cases : explosive nuts.
. Shock and contamination during operation
are the limitations for sensitive applications.

(iii) Shaped charges

These are high explosive devices used to
penetrate target materials. The working
mechanism is explained by Munroe effect.
Here an inverted V shaped high explosive is
lined by a soft metal like Lead or Silver. When the
explosive is detonated the liner material collapses
to the axis and forms a very high velocity jet
which is capable of penetrating high strength
target material.
Shaped charges, especially the flexible
type(Flexible Linear Shaped Charge-FLSC) is used
for separation of lower stages.

FIG.15. Shaped Charge

 This is because such stage joints have to be

extremely stiff without any joint rotation and
should act as a monolithic member.
Here the shaped charge is held circumferentially
on the separation ring along the separation
plane.
At the time of separation the charge is fired
which produces a high velocity jet and penetrates
the target(separation ring) and cuts along the
plane of separation. The spent stage below this
plane is separated & falls off.
Inherent drawback is it produces high shock.

FIG.16. Shaped Charge Based Separation System

Use in Destruct systems.

. During the flight, either major deviation in
flight path into danger zone or inadvertent
function of the vehicle demands destruction
of the vehicle; then the destruct system is
actuated.
. It is done primarily by the firing of the shaped
charges mounted on the hardware/motor
case in linear form over the length or in
circular form over the dome, which cuts the
hardware resulting in the venting of gas
pressure and termination of thrust.

FIG.17. Destruct System

IV. Expanding Bellow/Tube system

This is a separation & jettisoning mechanism used
for heat shield fairing separation. Heat shield
protect the satellite/payload from atmospheric
frictional heating and acoustic noise during flight
and is jettisoned off once the vehicle has cleared
the dense atmosphere.
The system has a linear piston cylinder
mechanism having a rubber bellow running
through it.
The fairings are attached to the piston cylinder
mechanism & are held together by riveted joint.

FIG.19.Expanding Bellow Jettisoning System

 When the explosive cords, which run through

the rubber bellow are fired, the gas expands
the bellow leading to the shearing of the
rivets and jettisoning of the fairing.
This system provides a parallel separation and
is most advantageous for a two fairing heat
shield system with a merman band release
mechanism for the circumferential joint.

 (b) Expanding tube assembly:

This is a separation system having a flattened
tube with explosive cords embedded in rubber
matrix running through it.
The flattened tube is assembled between plates
having notches.
The plates are fastened to structures at either
ends and when the explosive is detonated the
flattened tube expands, which in turn deflects the
plates resulting in the severance of the plates at
notch plane.
Separation of the structures is effected when the
plates are severed but jettisoning unlike in
bellow system has to be imparted to structrures
by other mechanisms like springs.

FIG.19. Expanding Tube System

 Expanding tube based separation system is an

important separation mechanism, which is
finding extensive application due to its multiple
advantages like high joint stiffness with no
rotation, less shock and zoro contamination.
The upper portion and lower portions are
fastened to the corresponding stages.
On actuation the tube expands leading to the
severance of the rings along the notch and
separation of the stages take place.
Spring thrusters provide the jettisoning force.

6. SAFETY AND ARMING(SAFE/ARM) SYSTEMS

This prevents premature initiation of
pyrotechnic devices used in launch vehicles
thus ensuring safety & reliability.
Inadvertent firing of a device can be caused
due to lightning, stray current and even static
discharge.
These Safe/Arm systems have two stable
positions, one safe and the other arm.
When in safe position, premature firing is
made impossible and in the arm position,
initiation is ensured on receipt of signal.

FIG.20. Safe / Arm System

 Most of the Safe/Arm devices have a rotor,

which holds a transfer charge .
In the safe condition, the transfer charge is
misaligned in the explosive train and any
accidental initiation of donor charge is not
transferred to the acceptor side.
In the arm condition, the transfer charge is
aligned in the explosive train and the stimulus
of the donor charge is transferred to the
acceptor side through the transfer charge,
which actuates the pyrodevice.

 Safe/Arm devices of different configurations &

operating methods have been developed and
there are versions for manual as well as
remote operation.
These devices usually have additional features
like shorting of the initiator electrical leads in
safe position, independent locking at safe and
arm positions and visual & remote indication
of safe and arm status.
To attain the required level of confidence in
the device, they are tested & qualified under
extreme environmental conditions.

REFERENCES