Abstract: A limited range training projectile utilizes a two strake and flare combination or two slots with flare combination design to ballistically match a service round to a predetermined range. The design permits statically stable flight at a selected limited range and includes instability at a predetermined range to greatly limit the total range.

Abstract: A ball or projectile for small caliber ammunition is disclosed. The projele is useful in training ammunition for the training of personnel on firing ranges having a limited area and a maximum range which is below the range of the standard service round for the weapon on which the training is conducted. The projectile has a body including an ogival forward section, a cylindrical center section, and a conical trailing section. A plurality of fins is mounted longitudinally on the conical trailing section for generating spin dampening torque to cause gyroscopic instability and thereby create high aerodynamic drag upon said projectile when fired from a weapon.

Abstract: A tracer training bullet which can be assembled into a conventional cartre case and fired in a conventional M2 machine gun is disclosed. The bullet consists of a main body of relatively low strength material which is segmented so that, if not restrained, it will bend under the centrifugal rotational force imparted to the segments by the spinning action of the projectile when fired. The bending of the projectile segments away from their central axis is ordinarily prevented by a retainer in the form of a spider. The spider is made of a relatively low temperature melting material, preferably aluminum, having a given thermal mass. The burn of the tracer material during the flight of the bullet toward a target weakens the retainer to the point of rupture after the bullet has travelled a given distance toward a target position. After the target position is passed, the securement member is destroyed by the high temperature burning action and the segments of the projectile bend or flex apart.