Abstract: A deployable fairing is driven off of high-pressure gun gases to reduce aerodynamic drag and extend the range of the artillery shell. An artillery shell is provided with a fabric fairing and a piston attached thereto in a rear section of the shell in a stowed state and a chamber. During launch high-pressure gun gasses are captured and stored in the chamber. Once the shell clears the end of the artillery tube, the pressure aft of the shell drops from the high pressure inside the tube to atmospheric pressure outside the tube. The high pressure gun gasses stored in the chamber act over the top surface of the piston to drive the piston aft against the much lower pressure behind the projectile to deploy the fabric fairing attached thereto to reduce the base area of the projectile creating or extending the boat-tail of the shell, hence reduce aerodynamic drag. The aft driven piston engages a locking mechanism that locks the piston in a deployed position.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stabilized nitrocellulose article includes providing a nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers. The nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is treated with a solution that comprises a solvent and a stabilizer to produce the article. The stabilizer is soluble in the solvent. The solvent dissolves the stabilizer and the nitrocellulose in the nitrocellulose-containing mat of fibers is substantially insoluble in the solvent at ambient pressure and temperature. An inflatable bag comprises a shell and the stabilized nitrocellulose article. The shell is formed from a foldable material and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior cavity of the inflatable bag. The stabilized nitrocellulose article is disposed upon the inner surface of the shell in the interior cavity and is foldable in conformity with at least one fold of the shell.

Abstract: A deployable fairing is driven off of high-pressure gun gases to reduce aerodynamic drag and extend the range of the artillery shell. An artillery shell is provided with a fabric fairing and a piston attached thereto in a rear section of the shell in a stowed state and a chamber. During launch high-pressure gun gasses are captured and stored in the chamber. Once the shell clears the end of the artillery tube, the pressure aft of the shell drops from the high pressure inside the tube to atmospheric pressure outside the tube. The high pressure gun gasses stored in the chamber act over the top surface of the piston to drive the piston aft against the much lower pressure behind the projectile to deploy the fabric fairing attached thereto to reduce the base area of the projectile creating or extending the boat-tail of the shell, hence reduce aerodynamic drag. The aft driven piston engages a locking mechanism that locks the piston in a deployed position.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system, method and apparatus for a boat-tail device is described herein. A body section for a projectile having a deployable portion is provided. Gun gases may pass through an orifice at an aft end of a piston and pressurize a volume in a plenum within the body section. Depressurization at muzzle exit may allow the gas pressurized in the plenum to push the piston aft deploying the deployable portion. A stopping and locking mechanism such as a complementarily tapered piston and opening may engage at the end of the stroke of the piston to stop and lock the piston at a predetermined location. A releasable protective cover may be used to protect the structure of the deployable element and other elements from gun gases and launch loads.

Abstract: A projectile with enhanced power for penetrating a target includes an elongated thick-walled casing having a main body with a cavity and a nose with a bore. The nose is interfitted with the main body such that its bore merges with the cavity. An elongated rod-like heavy penetrator extends longitudinally through the main body cavity and into the nose bore. An incendiary charge is disposed in the nose bore, whereas an explosive charge is disposed in the main body cavity. An annular ring is anchored to the main body at the location where the nose bore merges with the main body cavity. The ring has a central opening through which the penetrator is received and aligned for forward penetrating travel upon impact of the nose with the target. The ring separates the nose bore and the main body cavity, retaining the incendiary charge in the nose bore.