Abstract: A sabot is used for enclosing a payload, such as a missile or projectile, during launch. The sabot includes a series of panels that are held together prior to launch by engagement with a cap having protrusions or delay pins that maintain the panels in a closed condition. When the launch is initiated, the cap begins to slide out of engagement with the panels. The cap is configured such that the disengagement does not occur immediately upon movement of the cap; instead the protrusions are sized to delay opening of the panels until the sabot and missile have cleared the launcher. Then the panels rotate outward and drop away from a base the sabot, for example using self-releasing hinges. The base of the sabot may be configured to disengage from the payload by introduction of pressurized gases into a space between the base and an aft end of the missile.

Abstract: A sabot is used for enclosing a payload, such as a missile or projectile, during launch. The sabot includes a series of panels that are held together prior to launch by engagement with a cap having protrusions or delay pins that maintain the panels in a closed condition. When the launch is initiated, the cap begins to slide out of engagement with the panels. The cap is configured such that the disengagement does not occur immediately upon movement of the cap; instead the protrusions are sized to delay opening of the panels until the sabot and missile have cleared the launcher. Then the panels rotate outward and drop away from a base the sabot, for example using self-releasing hinges. The base of the sabot may be configured to disengage from the payload by introduction of pressurized gases into a space between the base and an aft end of the missile.

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: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.

Abstract: A projectile may include a base drag reduction fairing preform adapted to be plastically deformed into a base drag reduction fairing after the projectile is launched from a gun barrel.

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 may include a base drag reduction fairing preform adapted to be plastically deformed into a base drag reduction fairing after the projectile is launched from a gun barrel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.