Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wadding system, in particular a specific wadding system dedicated to shot cartridges made of materials other than lead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal injection molded ammunition cartridge comprising a metal injection molded bottom portion comprising a primer recess in communication with a primer flash hole that extends into a propellant chamber and a metal injection molded body extending form the metal injection molded bottom portion.

Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer in a head of the casing. The propellant cup having a plurality of fins extending rearwardly that open to a deployed position upon firing and the shot cup having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned linear slit segments that permit air to circulate and permit expansion of the shot cup.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in direct contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle capable of operating in harsh environments is disclosed. The unmanned vehicle includes an aerial platform, a piloting system supported by the aerial platform, a medium source supported by the aerial platform, and a control system having a processor running computer executable code that actuates the medium source to emit a medium away from the aerial vehicle with an intensity sufficient to disorient a subject when the medium interacts with an exteroceptive sense of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lightweight hybrid cartridge case (100) for a cartridged ammunition and a method of manufacture (200). The lightweight hybrid cartridge case (100) includes a cap (110) with a cylindrical sidewall (112) connected a base (120); a polymer shell (150) is insert-molded onto the sidewall of the cap; and an overmolded sleeve (180) is formed to cover the metal-polymer joint between the cap (110) and the polymer sleeve (150). The cylindrical sidewall (112) covered by the overmolded sleeve (180) has a plurality of stepped ridges (132, 132a), preferably with one stepped ridge (133) having a C-stepped edge (134).

Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer in a head of the casing. The propellant cup having a plurality of fins extending rearwardly that open to a deployed position upon firing and the shot cup having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned linear slit segments that permit air to circulate and permit expansion of the shot cup.

Abstract: A shot shell includes a cartridge (also referred herein as a ‘hull’), a primer, gunpowder, a tungsten propulsion system wadding, shot pellets having a first size, and shot pellets having a second size that is larger than the first size, and a 5-8 star crimp on an upper portion of the plastic cartridge. It has been found that there are advantages to loading smaller shot (preferably 3 shot or 4 shot) first, and then loading larger shot (preferably 1 shot or 2 shot) so that the larger shot leaves the cartridge first when the shot shell is fired. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge contains 40% to 60% large shot, and the remainder of shot pellets in the cartridge is smaller shot. In an alternate embodiment, the large shot may be loaded first, and the smaller shot loaded last, so that the smaller shot leaves the shot shell first.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle capable of operating in harsh environments is disclosed. The unmanned vehicle includes an aerial platform, a piloting system supported by the aerial platform, a medium source supported by the aerial platform, and a control system having a processor running computer executable code that actuates the medium source to emit a medium away from the aerial vehicle with an intensity sufficient to disorient a subject when the medium interacts with an exteroceptive sense of a subject.

Abstract: A sub-projectile carrier which uses aerodynamic drag to delay the release of a payload in a tailorable manner to control the spread of the payload over a desired range. A 40 mm shotgun style cartridge is shown for use for counter unmanned aerial systems, and for short range anti-personnel applications.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in direct contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer in a head of the casing. The propellant cup having a plurality of fins extending rearwardly that open to a deployed position upon firing and the shot cup having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned linear slit segments that permit air to circulate and permit expansion of the shot cup.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a primer pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the primer pocket, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in direct contact with the payload bay wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.

Abstract: A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer. The rearward propellant cup portion having enhanced fin deployment such that the shells are operative with shotguns with no chokes, shotguns with ported chokes, and shotguns with conventional chokes. The forward shot cup portion has axial slits that are sized to preclude shot from passing therethrough while providing sufficient air circulation to provide compaction relief of the shot pack. The enhancement may include gussets on the fins, axially movable disks to engage cam surfaces on the fins and urge them outwardly, and fins that have reduced bending regions compared to prior art wads.

Abstract: A shock absorber (29) for downhole use comprises an elongate, hollow member defined by a series of mutually aligned, plastically deformable perforated members (38) having aligned perforations that define the hollowness of the elongate, hollow member that are spaced from one another in the direction of elongation by respective relatively rigid spacer members (39) that are secured to the perforated members. The elements of each pair of perforated members (38) of the series are so spaced from one another by one or more of the spacer members (39) such that on compression of the shock absorber (29) the perforated members (38) deform plastically to a lesser extent in regions at which the spacer members (39) are secured than at other regions. The arrangement of the perforated members (38) and the spacer members (39) causes compression to occur substantially parallel to the length of the shock absorber (29).

Abstract: A practice ammunition projectile has a projectile head with one or more sheets of plastic material, each having a plurality of frangible “bubble shaped” compartments containing liquid chemical components for optical and/or Infrared marking of a target upon impact. The sheets are preferably flexible sheets in the nature of a “bubble wrap” of the type used as padding for packaging. These so-called “matrix packages” are installed adjacent the inner surface of the shell forming the projectile head and provide stability when the compartments break up upon setback when the projectile is fired from a weapon.

Abstract: A wad or basewad for ammunition includes an ignition chamber. The ignition chamber can be integrally formed with the payload wad, basewad, or battery cup or can be attached to the payload wad, basewad, or battery cup. The ignition chamber communicates with a primer of the ammunition to receive and contain the primer blast for at least an initial period of time. This facilitates faster initial ignition of the propellant of the ammunition, and consequently allows higher performance levels to be achieved. Other advantages regarding other applications of this invention include cleaner burning loads, greater economy, and lower perceived recoil.

Abstract: A wad for ammunition cartridges, including shotshell cartridges, includes a wad body having a series of separable fingers. A shot confinement tube is located within the wad body, surrounded by the separable fingers. The confinement tube extends longitudinally along the wad body and defines a recess in which an ammunition payload is received and is contained upon firing of the ammunition cartridge and as the wad is separated from the ammunition payload.

Abstract: A wad or basewad for ammunition includes an ignition chamber. The ignition chamber can be integrally formed with the wad or basewad or can be attached to the wad or basewad. The ignition chamber communicates with a primer of the ammunition to receive and contain the primer blast for at least an initial period of time. This facilitates faster initial ignition of the propellant of the ammunition, and consequently allows higher performance levels to be achieved. Other advantages regarding other applications of this invention include cleaner burning loads, greater economy, and lower perceived recoil.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge includes: a basewad disposed within a tube proximate the aft end of the tube; a projectile wad disposed within the tube proximate a fore end of the tube; a propellant charge disposed within a chamber formed between the projectile wad and the basewad; and a projectile disposed within the tube between a forward facing surface of the projectile wad and the fore end of the tube. The aft end of the projectile wad has a powder cup skirt formed thereon, and a chamfer is formed around an outer perimeter of a lip of the powder cup skirt. The chamfer allows the powder cup skirt to be slidably received within a skirt of the basewad to form the chamber. The chamfer provides a clearance at the powder cup skirt lip, which helps to insure undisturbed entry into the mouth of the basewad skirt.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge includes: a basewad disposed within a tube proximate the aft end of the tube; a projectile wad disposed within the tube proximate a fore end of the tube; a propellant charge disposed within a chamber formed between the projectile wad and the basewad; and a projectile disposed within the tube between a forward facing surface of the projectile wad and the fore end of the tube. The aft end of the projectile wad has a powder cup skirt formed thereon, and a chamfer is formed around an outer perimeter of a lip of the powder cup skirt. The chamfer allows the powder cup skirt to be slidably received within a skirt of the basewad to form the chamber. The chamfer provides a clearance at the powder cup skirt lip, which helps to insure undisturbed entry into the mouth of the basewad skirt.

Abstract: A high-pressure fixed munition for a low-pressure launching system having a cylindrical body with a centrally located bore is provided. The bore of the munition has a reduced diameter on the charge end in which a primer charge is positioned. The bore is filled above the primer charge with a propellant and above the propellant with a payload. The payload may include multiple buckshot pellets, frangible buckshot pellets, tear gas, multiple slugs, frangible slugs, paint balls, rubber pellets, bean bags, or the like. The munition may also include a pressure disk between the propellant and the payload, and tactile ridges or on the outside surface of the munition body or be of a specific color for purposes of identification of the payload.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge includes: a basewad disposed within a tube proximate the aft end of the tube; a projectile wad disposed within the tube proximate a fore end of the tube; a propellant charge disposed within a chamber formed between the projectile wad and the basewad; and a projectile disposed within the tube between a forward facing surface of the projectile wad and the fore end of the tube. The aft end of the projectile wad has a powder cup skirt formed thereon, and a chamfer is formed around an outer perimeter of a lip of the powder cup skirt. The chamfer allows the powder cup skirt to be slidably received within a skirt of the basewad to form the chamber. The chamfer provides a clearance at the powder cup skirt lip, which helps to insure undisturbed entry into the mouth of the basewad skirt.

Abstract: A projectile is provided, in accordance with the present invention that includes a gas seal, a wad absorption zone, a core hull, a mass of projectile core particles within the hull and an actuator member. The hull is a cylindrical member having an open end and made from a material, such as soft plastic, that is characterized by the ability to peel back upon itself on impact, thereby releasing the mass of core particles after impact. The actuator, is releasably fixed to the hull open end, has an exterior side and an interior side and one or more stem members projecting into the mass of core particles. Upon impact, the actuator is released from the hull open end and continues to be propelled forward, along with the core particles. When the projectile impacts a target, the hull peels backward upon itself thereby releasing the actuator and the mass of projectile core particles.

Abstract: A non-lethal projectile or a projectile for delivery of a substance (optional) has a tubular body casing (1) which surrounds a compartment (2) for containment of the substance. The compartment (2) coaxially supports a hollow tube (5) projecting forward within an ogival nose cap (8). An inflatable membrane (7) is located within the nose cap (8). On target impact the nose is displaced and permits a small amount of substance from compartment (2) to bleed through opening (6) allowing piston (4) to move forward uncovering ports (16). This action allows pressure gas to pass through the ports (16) and ducts to inflate the membrane (7). The piston is also free to move forward to discharge the substance through needle (5). The bag (7) thus expands rapidly and prevents excess penetration whilst spreading the impact energy over a wide area. The construction avoids the need for a charge to be contained within the projectile itself.

Abstract: The present invention is a multidisk shell and wad for use in a multidisk shell. The wad consists of a wad base, a cushioning section attached at a first end to a top section of the wad base, and at least three alignment arms attached to a second end of the cushioning section. The cushioning section is interposed between the projectile mass and the wad base. The preferred cushioning section comprises a hollow outer cylinder and at least one inner cylinder of polymeric plastic material. Thus, there are at least two concentric cylinders providing the cushioning between the disks and the expanding propellant charge. These at least two concentric cylinders and are attached at first ends to the top side of the wad base. The wad has at least three spatially separated alignment arms having proximal ends and distal ends for maintaining the alignment of projectiles as they travel through the gun barrel.

Abstract: A shotshell wad for use in a shotgun shell is provided. Three discs are disposed within a generally cylindrical tubular wail, and define a gas seal section, a middle section, a shot cup extension section, and a shot cup section. The third disc, which separates the shot cup extension section and the shot cup section, is detachably connected to the tubular wall such that when the shotshell is fired, the third disc breaks away and travels rearward relative to the rest of the shotshell wad to a position adjacent to the second disc. A plurality of fingers are defined by a plurality of lateral cuts through the tubular wall in the shot cup section extending from a point in the shot cup section to the forward end of the tubular wall. The tubular wall also includes a plurality of circumferential cuts passing therethrough substantially at the point where the plurality of lateral cuts terminate. The plurality of circumferential cuts extending through a section of each of the plurality of fingers.

Abstract: Two-element wad with pneumatic damping designed for the cartridge industry formed by two interchangeable elements connected to each other and which consist of a case and a damper-shutter. The case incorporates a series of foldable flaps and a valve that regulates the damping and injects air. Both the case and the damper-shutter have crosssectional walls and a convexo-concave shape that can absorb radial deformations to the symmetry axis of the wad. The damper-shutter has a four-fold action: it withstands the flexion and deformation of the material, the friction against the walls, and the compression of the air contained in the damper-shutter.

Abstract: A shot shell wad may comprise a powder cup and a shot cup connected by first and second shot cup support members positioned in spaced apart relation. Both the first and second shot cup support members include deformable leg sections. A stabilizing member having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned between the first shot cup support member and the second shot cup support member. The proximal end of the stabilizing member is connected to the powder cup and the distal end of the stabilizing member is connected to the first and second shot cup support members by respective first and second transverse members.

Abstract: A tracer wad for a cartridge comprises a shot holder consisting of four quadrants defining between them a tubular member, a tracer element holder and a conical recess leading to a bore for directing ignited propellant onto a tracer element held in the holder to ensure reliable ignition of the tracer element on firing of the cartridge. A flexible skirt portion ensures a good gas seal between the wad and the barrel of a firearm when the cartridge is fired. When the wad leaves the barrel, the quadrants are peeled back and the tracer element leaves the holder to follow the trajectory of the shot.

Abstract: A plastic cartridge has a base with a primer pocket and a primer mounted therein. A propellant charge is located within the cartridge and a plastic, collapsible wad is positioned within the cartridge above the propellant charge. A strawlike fusing channel extends through the wad into the propellant charge and is packed with an igniter charge. The fusing channel communicates between the propellant charge and a tracer charge packed within a cavity in a lead shotgun slug. The wad has a plurality of upwardly extending petals which surround the slug within the cartridge and which engage with the rifling of a shotgun barrel when the round is fired.

Abstract: The invention uses a pair of curved opposed diagonal bars between the wad and cup. The bars (deformable resistance members) buckle in the radial direction and end up basically flat between the wad and cup to give surprisingly and unexpectedly high amounts of collapse (80% or more). This allows the space between wad and cup to be decreased significantly without sacrificing cushioning.

Abstract: An improved composite wad structure has a unique laminated shot pocket portion. The wad structure is useful in a shotshell with hard shot pellets, such as steel or tungsten shot, having a hardness generally at least equal to that of the barrel of a gun in which the shotshell is to be fired. The laminated shot pocket portion includes a thin-walled, cup-shaped inner liner for supporting a column of the hard shot and thick-walled, cup-shaped outer tubular body encompassing the inner liner. The inner liner is formed of a tough, high tensile strength material capable of withstanding compressive forces generated by acceleration of the hard shot, when the shotshell containing the wad structure is fired in the barrel of the gun, so as to protect the gun barrel from being scored by the hard shot. The outer body is formed of a soft, low tensile strength material capable of expanding to obturate the combustion gases produced in the gun barrel when the shotshell is fired.

Abstract: Shot shell having a stratified payload of at least two different shot sizes, the larger diameter shot being closer to the mouth of the shell than the smaller diameter shot.

Abstract: An improved wad and shot cup structure for shotgun shells or so-called shot shell cartridges for hunting and shooting use, including a substantially cylindrical body of plastic material forming a shot cup or bowl (7) containing lead shot (11) and a powder seal cup (17) for confining the firing charge, the shot cup and powder seal cup being connected by a cushioning structure (6). The latter includes disc-shaped elements or so-called tiles (9) of diameter such that, if flattened as caused by the thrust of the firing charge, it is substantially greater than the inner diameter of the gun barrel. The tiles are connected and separated by walls (10) by which the force is ultimately transferred from the powder seal cup to the shot cup, the tiles providing sealing against leakage of explosion gases and contributing to the cushioning effect of the cushioning structure, which constitutes a wad.

Abstract: A deformable plastic wad for shot cartridges for hunting and shooting inces a reticular cushioning structure symmetric with respect to the axis of the wad, including portions located on planes parallel and portions located on planes perpendicular to the axis, the first mentioned portions being adapted to resist axial loads and the second mentioned portions being adapted to bend in two opposite directions, at least some of the first mentioned portions being symmetrically located in the vicinity of opposite edges of the second mentioned portions.