Single-Point-of-Failure Mitigation: Prove-Out of a Green Light-Emitting Illuminant Composition in the Handheld Signal Cluster and 40-mm Parachute Configurations

The development of handheld signal cluster and 40-mm parachute green light-emitting pyrotechnic compositions is described. Of the new compositions evaluated, one was found to exceed the military requirements in burn time, luminous intensity, dominant wavelength, and spectral purity in both the cluster and parachute configurations. The new illuminant composition is not plagued by single-point-of-failure concerns, as the Laminac 4116/Lupersol binder system has been replaced by the widely available Epon 813/Versamid 140 binder system. In addition, the new illuminant composition was found to be insensitive toward impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge and had a high thermal onset temperature.