Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy penetrator has first and second portions formed of dense material and secured to each other. The first portion, located ahead of the second portion preferably represents between 9% and 15% of the penetrator mass and a similar percentage of the combined lengths of the two portions. The first portion is formed of a material effective to produce a relatively large hole in an explosive reactive armor faceplate. The second portion is preferably formed from material selected to best perforate basal armor.

Abstract: A discardable sabot includes a first support and a second support, aft of the first support. The first and second supports are dimensioned to cooperate with an inner surface of a weapon barrel so as to maintain the saboted projectile substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the barrel during travel of the projectile from the weapon's chamber to the muzzle. At least one of the supports is a sealing support, configured to provide a substantially gas-tight seal with the barrel and effective to allow the sabot and the projectile to be propelled forward through the barrel by expansion of propellant gas behind the sealing support. The sabot includes surfaces for permitting a flow of a portion of the gas through the sabot while redirecting such portion at least partially transverse to the axis so that the flow applies a torque to the projectile about the axis during travel of the sabot and the projectile between the chamber and muzzle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expendable tubing conveyed perforator, comprising (a) an outer tube made from a material having high strength and low impact resistance; and (b) an inner structure positioned within the outer tube for holding one or more explosive charges, the inner structure made from a combustible material. The invention is also directed to a method of perforating a well casing using the expendable tubing conveyed perforator system.

Abstract: An ultra light weight sabot for a subcaliber projectile comprises a sabot having three reduced mass segments each incorporating driving grooves at their inner diameter, an aft bourrelet, a central cavity beneath the aft bourrelet and an outwardly directed projection forward of the aft bourrelet to support the forward end of the projectile as it travels through a gun bore. The aft bourrelet has a balloon type obturator thereon which also fastens to the cartridge case. A bore extending through the obturator and the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity equalizes pressure between the case and the annular cavity to assist in sabot segment separation from the subcaliber projectile.

Abstract: A reinforced sub-caliber kinetic energy penetrator comprises an elongated solid cylindrical hard metal body having a plurality of circumferential channels in said surface of said body. A plurality of circumferential reinforcing bands are swaged into the channels in the body to mechanically interlock the bands and said body together. The reinforcing bands stiffen the penetrator during impact with a target at oblique angles and enhance the target penetration and after armor effects.

Abstract: A plurality of discarding type segmented sabots are peripherally disposed rcumambient to the longitudinal axis of a subcaliber projectile to support the subcaliber projectile during launch. A prestressed notched bourrelet flange member screwedly attached to the forward sections of the sabot segments holds the sabot-projectile assembly together during launch. An aft bourrelet-obturator-slip ring assembly secures the rear sections of the sabot segments while transmitting only part of the rifling induced spin to the projectile. A self-adhering flexible base seal member is positioned in the aft end of the sabot segments to enhance efficient obturation of the propellant gases.

Abstract: A cartridge case adapter member is adapted to fit over a fin hub member of fin stabilized projectile and is securely held thereto by the combination of an interlocking retainer sleeve and retainer plug. The combination projectile-to-combustible cartridge case attachment permits the projectile subassembly to pass a standard five foot drop test.