Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes a system and a method for launching a projectile towards a target, wherein the system comprises a control circuitry, a booster engine, and one or more thrusters adapted to be connected to the projectile and capable of being spun during launch around a longitudinal axis of the projectile, the control circuitry being operatively connected to the one or more thrusters; wherein responsive to ignition of propellant stowed in a combustion chamber of the booster engine, the booster engine causes the projectile to launch from its cell; following launch of the projectile, cause the projectile to turn at a certain rate and a certain azimuth.

Abstract: A projectile includes a hollow body carrying a payload formed of inert sub-projectiles that can be dispersed on trajectory contained in a cup including a piston closing one of its ends, the body at its rear part with a base housing a pyrotechnic charge separated from the sub-projectiles by the piston, which can translate with respect to the body of the projectile to push the cup and the sub-projectiles axially out of the body. The cup is formed of independent sectors. The piston is secured to the sectors when contained in the body and the cup is secured to the body by a connecting apparatus weakened to break under the force of the piston pushed by the gases generated by the pyrotechnic charge. An ogive is secured to the cup by a securing apparatus that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the projectile and locked by the sectors.

Abstract: A holding device and method for decreasing the contact-impact event on sub-projectiles when fired from a barrel, cylinder, carrier shell or the like includes a core and at least two legs that at least partially enclose at least one sub-projectile each. When a projectile is fired from a barrel or the like the sub-projectiles load the legs of the device which are deformed and open up and release the sub-projectiles in a controlled manner without tumbling which leads them to hit and penetrate their target with the short-side. A holding device including sub-projectiles and a projectile including the holding device are also provided.

Abstract: An improved bullet comprises a bullet shank having at least one reduced diameter waist, a sleeve adapted to fill out the at least one reduced diameter waist so that a diameter of the sleeve over the shank waist is equal to or slightly greater than a minimum diameter of the firearm freebore and slightly greater than a bore of the rifle barrel. The improved bullet also includes an annular dimple in a base of the bullet, the annular dimple comprising at least one of one or more annular troughs, a cylindrical counter bore and a concave counter bore in the bullet base. Also, a first curve segment and the second curve segment on the sleeve of the bullet form a repeated ‘S’ shaped profile on the bullet shank.

Abstract: Firearms with electronic ignitions have a frame defining an ammunition receptacle having an open lower end and a closed upper end and opposed lateral sidewalls, a plurality of barrels connected to the frame, each barrel having a rear end aperture providing communication with the ammunition receptacle, an ammunition cartridge adapted to be closely and removably received in the ammunition receptacle in an operation position between the opposed lateral sidewalls, the ammunition cartridge having a plurality of ammunition elements, and each ammunition element being registered with a corresponding one of the barrels. Each ammunition element may include a chamber tube element containing propellant and projectile. Each chamber tube element may include a pressure containment member adapted to contain pressures associated with discharge. Each barrel may define a barrel axis, and the barrel axes may be parallel to each other. The ammunition receptacle may be an elongated passage.

Abstract: An improved firearm system is provided. The improved firearm system comprises an improved firearm cartridge for use in firearm designed to fire the improved firearm cartridge. The firearm cartridge comprises a projectile substantially seated within a cartridge casing, which reduces the length of the firearm cartridge. The cartridge casing may be modified to accept more than one primer. A firing pin of the firearm may be modified so it may strike each of the primers of the cartridge casing. A bolt body may be modified so that it has two pieces connected by a pin so that it may house the modified firing pin. Because the length of the firearm cartridge is reduced, the length of a magazine that holds firearm cartridges may also be reduced. This allows a handle of the firearm to be moved forward so that the magazine may be inserted through the handle.

Abstract: A launch canister for non-lethal pellets may be used to simulate the use of both personal and anti-personnel weapons. The canister features at least two components, an inner core and outer shell, that are nested and both featuring a plurality of launch bores. Gaskets ring the outside surface of the components, but have slight interface with the internal bores. The gaskets then hold a stack of pellets within each bore until the canister is placed in a launch device and the payload released.

Abstract: A projectile includes a toughened polymer resin, a curative agent and a particulate filler. The curative agent cures the toughened polymer resin. The particulate filler is distributed throughout the resin. The particulate filler has a density greater than a density of the resin. In some embodiments, the cured toughened polymer resin can be 20 to 30 percent by weight of the total projectile composition. The projectile has an average density that is less than the density of lead. In certain embodiments, the particulate filler can be 70 to 80 percent by weight of the total projectile composition. The particulate filler can include at least one of copper, tungsten, lead, iron and steel.

Abstract: Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).

Abstract: A hybrid gun device composed of two barrels (1,10) that accept energy from combustion of standard propellant (6), one barrel (10) being operative to produce a high intensity electric current to add accelerating energy to a projectile (7) in the second barrel (1) and at least one coil (8) stage to convert energy between electrical and kinetic to cause the projectile (7) to be launched at hypervelocity.

Abstract: A round of ammunition including projectiles formed in a stack and having an offset center of mass. Upon discharge, the projectiles are subject to a complex flight path and increased drag, providing advantages in controlling pattern and depth of penetration at a distance.

Abstract: A multiple projectile fixed cartridge includes a casing, a retention insert arranged in the casing, and a plurality of projectiles arranged proximate the retention insert. The retention insert is configured to align and support at least a first projectile of the plurality of projectiles, and the casing is configured to align and support a second projectile of the plurality of projectiles.

Abstract: One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second. An endcap may be deployed within a tube of the ram accelerator device to prevent incursion of formation pressure products such as oil, water, mud, gas, and so forth into a guide tube of the ram accelerator. During operation the projectile penetrates the endcap and at least a portion thereof impact a working face. In some implementations a purge gas may be used to form a ullage between the endcap and the working face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for packing fin-stabilized penetrators (8) in a carrier shell (1), which penetrators (8) comprise a front penetrator part (10) and a rear fin part (9, 9?) comprising fin sides (14, 14?), so that the empty space between the penetrators (8) and problems with the penetrators upon the release of the penetrators (8) from the carrier shell (1) are minimized, wherein the penetrators (8) are packed in groups (7) and are joined together to form larger packing units (6), in which each group (7) is arranged with a centrally located penetrator (8) flanked by at least three outer penetrators (8), which outer penetrators (8) are arranged so that their front penetrator parts (10) lie side to side against the fin sides (14, 14?) of the centrally located penetrator (8).

Abstract: A multiple projectile fixed cartridge includes a casing, a retention insert arranged in the casing, and a plurality of projectiles arranged proximate the retention insert. The retention insert is configured to align and support at least a first projectile of the plurality of projectiles, and the casing is configured to align and support a second projectile of the plurality of projectiles.

Abstract: Provided is a barrel insert for use with a barrel containing a plurality of axially stacked projectiles. The barrel insert has a proximal and a distal end, the distal end adapted to engage a proximally disposed projectile disposed in the barrel. The barrel insert also defines an expansion volume for propellant gases for launching the proximally disposed projectile at a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: An ammunition system for a firearm includes a cartridge for a firearm, a muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment, a magnet, and a magnetic material. The muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment is loaded into the barrel after the cartridge is loaded in the usual manner. The two are adhered together by magnetic attraction. The cartridge has the magnet, the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment has the magnet, or both have magnets aligned to draw the two together. When one magnet is present between the two, then the other must have a magnetic material to be drawn to the magnet. To enable more than one muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment to be added, a third magnet may be used within the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment at the end opposite the cartridge to exert a magnetic field extending toward the muzzle, which will hold the next muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment added to the barrel.

Abstract: A scalable, inert munition data recorder cartridge. This inert cartridge allows users to record data from within a weapon system feed chute, breach, and extractor port. This cartridge is adaptable to any weapon system, packaging unit, environmental chamber, or other ammunition holding and storage device. Although the cartridge is designed to interface with a weapon and ammunition packaging based on its shape, it still functions as designed regardless of its location and application. This would allow the cartridge to be placed anywhere an actual live cartridge of ammunition could be placed.

Abstract: A projectile assembly 10 includes an individual projectile 20 and a composite projectile 30. The individual projectile 20 has a communicating portion 22. The composite projectile 30 includes at least one flechette 32. Prior to the projection of the projectile assembly 10, the composite projectile 30 is located adjacent to the communicating portion 22 of the individual projectile 20. The individual projectile 20 and the composite projectile 30 are structured and disposed for separating from one another after the initial projection of the projectile assembly 10.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose projectile assembly includes an anti-personnel projectile, an armor-penetrating projectile, a propellant, a base bleed gas, and a primer. The anti-personnel projectile includes a cavity having a scored surface and is made out of a soft metal. The armor-penetrating projectile is made from a hard metal and is housed partially within the cavity of the anti-personnel projectile prior to firing from a weapon. The propellant and the primer are both housed within the cavity. The firing of the projectile assembly causes the armor-penetrating projectile to drive into the primer, thereby detonating the primer, causing the detonation of the propellant, thereby increasing the pressure of the cavity and causing the two projectiles to separate after the projectile assembly leaves the bore of the weapon. The burning of the propellant releases a base bleed gas that reduces the drag experienced by the anti-personnel projectile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a dosage of a drug to a target use an electrode that may deliver the drug and/or a current through the target to impede locomotion of the target. Delivery of a dosage may be accomplished by selecting one or more electrodes from a plurality of electrodes to deliver the drug or by metering deliver of the drug from one or more electrodes. Delivery of the current may be accomplished by one or more, preferably two electrodes. The electrodes that deliver the current through the target may also cooperate to deliver the dosage of the drug to the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stackable projectiles having a warhead and a propulsion unit. An adaptor enables the warhead to be coupled to propulsion units made of different materials. Furthermore, an adaptor couples different profiles of warheads and propulsion units and allows projectiles to be stacked without need for design modifications. The assembled projectile can be fired electrically or mechanically.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile comprises a tail assembly. The tail assembly comprises a casing and a closure in the tail assembly, the casing and closure forming a chamber containing a propellant charge, an exit from the casing for release of propellant gases into the barrel when the propellant is ignited to launch the projectile from the barrel, the closure closing the exit, wherein the closure is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber, a primer in a leading end of the casing, an inductor around the casing, and a signal detector at a leading end of the casing and inductor, wherein the signal detector triggers the primer and the signal detector receives a signal output from the inductor to trigger the primer.

Abstract: Clips for use with projectiles and projectile stacking systems in which individual projectiles are clipped together to form a stack are disclosed. The projectiles may be joined individually by a user before loading in a barrel, or during a loading process assisted by features on the breech of the barrel. The tail of each projectile includes a set of clips which engage the nose of a trailing projectile in the stack. Projectiles may be withdrawn from barrel and unclipped as required by the user.

Abstract: Projectiles with sealed propellant are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a projectile includes a chamber having a propellant charger, an exit from the chamber for release of propellant gases into a barrel when the propellant is ignited to fire the projectile, and a seal to block the exit which is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to ignition of other propellant in the barrel, where the seal is carried from the barrel by the projectile after the ignition. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a weapon, said barrel assembly including a barrel; a plurality of projectile assemblies axially disposed in end to end abutting relationship within said barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel, each projectile including a projectile head and an integral cylindrical spacer portion extending axially and rearwardly from said projectile head; discrete propellant charges accommodated within said cylindrical spacer portion for propelling respective projectile assemblies sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel; ignition means for igniting said discrete propellant charges; and control means for selectively and sequentially actuating the ignition means.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile comprises a tail assembly. The tail assembly comprises a casing and a closure in the tail assembly, the casing and closure forming a chamber containing a propellant charge, an exit from the casing for release of propellant gases into the barrel when the propellant is ignited to launch the projectile from the barrel, the closure closing the exit, wherein the closure is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber, a primer in a leading end of the casing, an inductor around the casing, and a signal detector at a leading end of the casing and inductor, wherein the signal detector triggers the primer and the signal detector receives a signal output from the inductor to trigger the primer.

Abstract: A munition round includes a cartridge case; a canister disposed at a forward end of the cartridge case, the canister including a piston movable in the canister; a plurality of high-density spheroids having a diameter in a range of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches; a rear container disposed in the canister adjacent the piston, and fully loaded with the high-density spheroids; a front container disposed in the canister and partially loaded with the high-density spheroids, a remaining volume of the front container occupied by a spacer disc disposed atop the high-density spheroids; and a cap that closes a forward end of the canister.

Abstract: A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup.

Abstract: A casing has a projectile receiving end portion and a primer receiving end portion. A plurality of projectiles is positioned in a stacked configuration within the casing at the projectile receiving end portion. A propellant receiving space is defined within the casing between an innermost one of the projectiles and the primer receiving end portion of the casing. The innermost one of the projectiles has a gas check body attached thereto at an end face thereof exposed to the propellant receiving space of the casing. A first cannulure is positioned between the gas check body and the primer receiving end portion of the casing for defining a protrusion for limiting displacement of the gas check body toward the primer receiving end portion of the casing. A second cannulure is positioned within the projectile receiving end portion of the casing for forming a protrusion that engages an outermost one of the projectiles.

Abstract: A Kinetic Energy penetrator round is shown effective in neutralizing incoming air borne threat munitions such as rockets, artillery, or mortars for instance, without posing a threat in urban environments to harm bystanders on the ground. There are also no hazards or expense with this round of cleaning up unexploded ordnance, which might have occurred with other types of rounds due to unreliability of self destruct mechanisms. Shown herein is a kinetic energy penetrator for air defense that merely self destructs beyond its operational range into fragments that are not lethal to personnel on ground; no pyrotechnic or energetic materials means are used to activate this self destruct process. A full bore projectile structure is shown that is composed of plural axi-symmetric circular disks stacked on each other and tied by a shape memory metal wire of Nitinol. While operational as a joined group, the disks are a formidable round to kill an incoming air target.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber.

Abstract: A means of increasing the velocity of projectiles using multiple charges ignited at different times to facilitate a sustained pressure pulse in the barrel is provided. The propellant charges are separated with one or more rigid barriers and ignited in series; igniting the propellant nearest to the projectile first and the propellant that is farthest from the propellant last. By timing the ignition of the charges a higher average pressure is sustained in the gun tube without risking a breach blow. After the peak pressure of the first propellant charge is reached the second propellant is ignited. The energy of the second propellant causes the pressure in the gun tube to fall more gradually. Thus the average pressure that acts on the projectile is safely increased. The following includes several methods of accomplishing this.

Abstract: An existing projectile (21) is modified by adding a tail piece (22) to enable axial stacking of multiple projectiles (20) in a common barrel. Propellant for each modified projectile (20) is contained in respective chambers located external to the barrel and connected to the bore of the barrel through associated ports. Tail piece (22) aligns with a respective port and provides a space between consecutive projectiles (20) into which the propellant gas expands after ignition. Separate claims are directed to tail assembly (22), modified projectile (20), the barrel assembly having a plurality of projectiles (20) stacked in end-to-end relation, and to an external initiation system for the barrel assembly (see FIGS. 4, 7).

Abstract: A projectile (10) is for use with barrel assemblies of the type having a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel having a bore and a muzzle and which projectiles are associated with discrete propellant charges for propelling said projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel. Projectile (10) comprises expandable sleeve (11) encircling at least part of core (12). Sleeve (11) and core (12) have wedging surfaces (14) operable to deform trailing part (21) of sleeve (11) into sealing engagement with the bore in response to pressure exerted on the projectile (10). When projectiles (10) are axially disposed in the bore, rear face (24) of the leading projectile cooperates with leading face (20) of the trailing projectile to define a discrete space about spine (23) for receipt of the propellant charge. Sleeve (11) is retained about the core (12) during travel to the target.

Abstract: A cargo round (e.g., 155 mm high explosive projectile) is provided for dispensing submunitions. The round includes a nose tip, a casing attached thereto forming a chamber, a tail and a payload in the chamber between the tip and tail. The payload includes a plurality of axi-symmetric darts mounted on a plurality of front and rear tandem plates. Each dart has fore and aft ends along a polar axis. Each dart is shaped as a cone at its fore end and includes a cavity at its aft end. Each plate has a plurality of orifices arranged in a regular pattern. Each orifice receives a corresponding dart to protrude from both obverse and reverse sides of the plate. Each fore end of its dart in the rear plate inserts into the cavity of a counterpart dart in the front plate, and each plate shears apart on release of the payload to disperse the darts.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber.

Abstract: A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup.

Abstract: A shotshell comprising an elongate casing defining an internal chamber, a propellant located within said casing, and a shot load within the casing, the shot load comprising a plurality of disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly (i) for weapons, said cartridge assembly including: a tubular body (a) having a central longitudinal channel containing a plurality of electrically fired projectile assemblies (b) in axially stacked orientation, each comprised of a propellant layer (c) and one or more other layers. At the base of the cartridge assembly (i) are routing electronics (f) to control sequential ignition of each propellant layer (c) subsequently launching an aerodynamic projectile (h) created by the incident pressure wave with favorable ballistic qualities derived from the characteristics of the projectile assembly (b).

Abstract: A gun firing method whereby multiple projectiles segments that are contained within a cartridge are fired simultaneously in a symmetrical pattern. Some of the multiple projectile segments are modified by moving the center of mass of the projectile segments away from the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This in combination with bring fired from a rifled gun barrel will impart velocity to the modified projectile segments upon exiting the gun barrel at right angles to the gun barrel. This velocity along with the higher muzzle velocity will cause the modified projectile segments to diverge away from the trajectory of a standard projectile segment and strike the target away from the bullseye. The magnitude of the divergence will vary with the distance the projectile segment's center of mass is away from the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Abstract: A gun firing method whereby multiple projectiles segments that are contained within a cartridge are fired simultaneously in a symmetrical pattern. Some of the multiple projectile segments are modified by moving the center of mass of the projectile segments away from the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This in combination with bring fired from a rifled gun barrel will impart velocity to the modified projectile segments upon exiting the gun barrel at right angles to the gun barrel. This velocity along with the higher muzzle velocity will cause the modified projectile segments to diverge away from the trajectory of a standard projectile segment and strike the target away from the bullseye. The magnitude of the divergence will vary with the distance the projectile segment's center of mass is away from the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber.

Abstract: A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup.

Abstract: A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup.

Abstract: A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber.

Abstract: A weapon (104) including a stock, a barrel assembly (105) slidably mounted on said stock whereby, on discharging said weapon, the barrel assembly (105) slidably recoils relative to said stock, and a damper (107) for decelerating the recoiling barrel assembly, wherein said barrel assembly (105) includes a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel (108) wherein each of said projectiles is associated with a discrete propellant charge for propelling said projectile from the barrel. Suitably the weapon further includes a breech block (109) which slidably recoils relative to said stock and a further damper (106) for decelerating the recoiling breech block.

Abstract: A projectile (10) is for use with barrel assemblies of the type having a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel having a bore and a muzzle and which projectiles are associated with discrete propellant charges for propelling said projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel. Projectile (10) comprises expandable sleeve (11) encircling at least part of core (12). Sleeve (11) and core (12) have wedging surfaces (14) operable to deform trailing part (21) of sleeve (11) into sealing engagement with the bore in response to pressure exerted on the projectile (10). When projectiles (10) are axially disposed in the bore, rear face (24) of the leading projectile cooperates with leading face (20) of the trailing projectile to define a discrete space about spine (23) for receipt of the propellant charge. Sleeve (11) is retained about the core (12) during travel to the target.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly (10) for firearms or weapons, said cartridge assembly including a support body (11) having a central longitudinal channel (16) housing a plurality of projectiles (20, 22, 24) in end-to-end orientation and having a plurality of circumferential chambers (14), wherein each chamber houses (14a, 14b, 14c) at least one propellant charge (12a, 12b, 12c) and is located adjacent to a respective projectile; fluid communication means (18) included in the support body for communicating the products of a gaseous expansion of said propellant from a respective chamber (14) into said central longitudinal channel (16); whereby, upon initiation of a selected propellant charge (12a, 12b, 12c), the communicated products of gaseous expansion from a circumferential chamber force or eject a respective projectile (20, 22, 24) from the cartridge assembly (10). The propellant charges may comprise a volume of propellant material encased in a bag with an igniter.