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: 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 cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subscaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assemlby includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: The cartridge assembly of the present invention comprises two or more combustible cartridge case segments, the front of which is fastened to the projectile assembly and the rear of which contains a primer assembly and a charge of propellant. The two segments are automatically joined together during loading into a gun chamber via velcro rings at a butted interface between the segments. Extending axially throughout each of the segments is a distributed plurality of flexible combustible ignition strands which, when ignited, propagate the ignition flame front at an extremely high rate, on the order of between 3 to 6 thousand feet per second, ensuring virtually simultaneous ignition of the propellant in each segment.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is provided, in one embodiment, comprising a combustible casing with an open forward end and an open breach end, enclosed at the breech end by a thin metal stub casing, a projectile assembly mounted in the forward end, an igniter assembly, a resilient obturator pop riveted to the casing, and annular sabot, and a plurality of flexible combustible priming tubes immersed in a propellant charge and extending the length of the casing. In another embodiment, the combustible casing comprises two separate casings joined together with fasteners, each casing having a set of flexible combustible priming tubes, an interface portion defined between the two where respective ends of combustible priming tubes abut. In both embodiments, the priming tubes combust rapidly producing complete ignition of the propellant charge and resultant stable projectile flight.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is provided, in one embodiment, comprising a combustible casing with an open forward end and an open breech end, enclosed at the breech end by a thin metal stub casing, a projectile assembly mounted in the forward end, an igniter assembly, a resilient obturator pop riveted to the casing, an annular sabot, and a plurality of flexible combustible priming tubes immersed in a propellant charge and extending the length of the casing. In another embodiment, the combustible casing comprises two separate casings joined together with fasteners, each casing having a set of flexible combustible priming tubes, an interface portion defined between the two where respective ends of combustible priming tubes abut. In both embodiments, the priming tubes combust rapidly producing complete ignition of the propellant charge and resultant stable projectile flight.

Abstract: A long rod penetrator projectile comprises an elongated main penetrator body, a stabilizing fin assembly attached to the rear of the main body, and a perforated canister carried within the fin assembly. A pyrotechnic material such as pyronol is contained within the canister. The pyronol ignites during impact. The burning pyrotechnic material spews forth through the perforations in the canister to provide improved after armor effects.

Abstract: A rocket launching cartridge case is formed by attaching a cylindrical extension member to the open end of a cartridge case. The extension member conforms to cartridge receiving chambers of conventional weapons. A rocket assembly is releasably locked within the extension member at a predetermined axial position. The rocket assembly can be slideably positioned within the extension member and locked in place prior to attachment of the extension member to the cartridge case. The locking means establishes a rocket assembly and launching case overall length for use in particular conventional weapons. An obturator member on the rocket assembly engages rifling in the conventional weapon bore imparting a stabilizing spin when the rocket assembly is fired. The obturator is connected to the rocket assembly in a manner permitting slip rotation therebetween providing a predetermined rate of stabilizing spin.

Abstract: A high-pressure self-sealing obturator positioned to fit on the rear of a bot assembly in a discarding projectile assembly to prevent the obturator from backing off during initial impact of bore walls by the projectile assembly. The obturator includes an extension and a groove for snapping a case mouth into the extension. The outer surface of the obturator conforms with the bore of the gun. The extention of the obturator also includes a "V" groove which permits the separation of the extention with the case mouth during the initial low pressure which occurs early ignition. The self-sealing obturator provides efficient and improved obturation for a projectile when fired from a high pressure gun tube.

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 short-range training practice round, for simulating a high energy type unition round, comprises a discarding-sabot containing a self-destruct subprojectile, e.g. of aluminum or steel, similar in external configuration to the heavy armor-piercing subprojectile simulated, and made up of a plurality, e.g. 3, of contiguous elongated mating segments held together during launch and subsequent flight by a heat-sensitive nose cap adapted to be heated by the airstream and disintegrate at a predetermined point in flight, allowing the segments to tumble in air, decelerate, and come to rest after a short flight.

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.