Fuzing and Precision Products

Day & Zimmermann Munitions is a world leader in the design, test and manufacture of energetic products and technologies for initiation, actuation and detonation devices. Our scientific and engineering team has a fundamental understanding of all aspects of energetic device performance and testing.

Our Knowledge of these devices allows the performance of our products to exceed typical munitions requirements and makes them the energetic safety systems of choice on munitions.

Our product offerings include:

  • Electronic Safe, Arm Devices (ESAD) devices.
  • Initiation Safety Devices (ISDs).
  • Custom Energetic Materials.
  • Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) Detonator.
  • Primers, detonators, boosters, deflagrators.
  • LAP production.

Electronic Safe and Arm Devices

Day & Zimmermann is a leader in the design, test and manufacturing of micro-miniature Electronic Safe, Arm and Fire (ESAF); Electronic Safe and Arm Devices (ESAD); and detonators for safe compliant fuzing requirements of both legacy and next-generation IM-compliant munitions.

Our team of scientists and engineers use the latest advances in technology to design micro-scale ESAF and ESAD designs to meet harsh gun launched weapon systems requirements at lower cost.

Day & Zimmermann Munitions ESAF’s and ESAD’s are suitable for a wide range of electronic safe and fire applications:

  • Electronic Safe, Arm Devices (ESAD) devices
  • Initiation Safety Devices (ISDs)
  • Custom Energetic Materials
  • Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) Detonator
  • Primers, detonators, boosters, deflagrators
  • LAP production

Key Features

  • MIL-STD-1316E compliant (Criteria Fuze Safety Design)
  • MIL-STD-1911A compliant (Hand Emplaced Ordnance)
  • MIL-STD-1901A compliant (Munition Rocket Motor Ignition System)
  • Shock-hardened designs, proven to survive and function post gun launch
  • Micro-miniaturized packaging for the smallest, lightest ESAF and ESAD in the industry
  • Multipoint initiation (MPI) configurations
  • All ESAF’s and ESAD’s are designed for proximity, sensor fuzed, impact, and timed self-destruct detonation
  • Removable detonator design for full functionality testing including arming and firing
  • High-reliability for long-term storage
  • Full lot and unit serialization control
  • Manufactured in state-of-the art ISO 9001 facility

Ignition Safety Devices

Day & Zimmermann specializes in the design, manufacture and testing of MIL-STD-1901A compliant Ignition Safety Devices (ISD) for safe and reliable initiation of launch flight motor ignition systems. Our designs include through bulkhead initiation (TBI) that provide highly reliable ignition of pyrotechnic energy to rocket motors, while isolating the ISD from the rocket motor heat and combustion effects. Day & Zimmermann also designs ISD’s for single and multipoint initiation and ignition applications.

IM compliance dictates a MIL-STD-1901A ISD must be used for all new rocket motor designs. Our IM ready designs comply with all MIL-STD-1901A and other safety requirements Day & Zimmermann’s ISDs are suitable for a wide range of applications:

  • Tactical missiles
  • Strategic missiles
  • Missile defense systems
  • Air-to-ground, air-to-air, and ground-to-air rockets

Key Features

  • MIL-STD-1901A compliant
  • Micro-miniaturized packaging
  • Through bulkhead initiator design that works in-line with donor detonator
  • Single or multiple point initiation systems with simultaneous or sequential operation
  • High-reliability designs without moving parts and suitable for long term storage with BIT Manufactured in state-of-the art ISO 9001 facility

Custom Energetic Materials

Day & Zimmermann has over 75 years of experience manufacturing pyrotechnic devices and energetic pellets/powders. 

We have produced a large array of custom energetic devices to meet specific customer requirements for many Department of Defense munitions and systems. 

Day & Zimmermann ensures the reliability and consistent performance of each energetic device through control of in-house recrystallization, processing, and pressing of our own explosive powders. Each of our energetic components is designed to withstand severe temperature and mechanical environments without damage or degradation.

Key Capabilities

  • In-house powder blending and powder recrystallization
  • In-house pellet pressing
  • In-house green powder blending and recrystallization
  • Extensive in-house testing
    • Vibration
    • Drop shock
    • Thermal shock
    • Humidity
    • Extreme temperatures
    • Long-term aging
    • Explosive testing

Detonators

Day & Zimmermann is a leading manufacturer of low cost high voltage EFI detonators. The EFI chip assembly consists of an exploding foil that propels a flyer (slapper) through a stand-off barrel, all of which is deposited on a PC-Board substrate, using a patented low-cost, high-reliability fabrication technique. The 4500m/s flyer has been shown to be reliable at temperatures ranging from minus 55°C to 200°C and shock resistant up to 100,000g (such as thick wall penetration).

Our EFIs have been designed into a wide variety of applications including:

  • Safe and arm devices
  • Warheads
  • Rocket motor initiators
  • Payload launch vehicles
  • Oil and gas exploration
  • Tactical missiles
  • Strategic missiles
  • Precision guided munitions
  • Electronic detonators

Key Features

  • Very low cost commercial device
  • Low firing energy
  • Demonstrated ability to initiate various booster and main charges
  • Wide temperature operating range (-55°C to 200°C)
  • Multiple configurations
  • Full lot and serialization control
  • Manufactured in state-of-the-art ISO 9001 facility