Pyrotechnic cutter apparatus

A pyrotechnic cutter for cutting an object such as a buoy-rope, tube, cable or the like, comprising a fixed arm containing over substantially its entire useful length an explosive charge having a dihedral covering, the plane of symmetry of the dihedral covering, which substantially corresponds to the plane of a cutting jet comprising gases resulting from explosion of said explosive charge, being directed toward a second arm of the cutter, said second arm being pivotally mounted at one end of said fixed arm, such that explosion of said explosive charge cuts an object enclosed between the two arms;

• said one end of said fixed arm being fastened to a body releasably connected to an ejector adapted to be engaged in a gun barrel, and an end of the second arm being pivotally connected to said body, said body also carrying control means for maintaining said arms in a separated, open position until said ejector functions, and for closing the second arm toward the first arm upon separation of said body from the ejector, and means in said body for initiating detonation of the explosive charge in the fixed arm at a delayed time after separation of said body from the ejector.