With Separate Hardened Nose Patents (Class 102/519)
  • Patent number: 11408716
    Abstract: A bullet with a blunt meplat with reduced drag coefficient relative to a non-blunt meplat with improved speed consistency during flight shot to shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: HORNADY MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Thielen, Jayden Quinlan, Ryan Damman
  • Patent number: 11320246
    Abstract: A penetrator and a sub-caliber ammunition or projectile accommodating said penetrator. The penetrator according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the penetrator has an interface in the front area. Via said geometric interface, a basic penetrator devised in according to the invention can be provided having different penetrator tips and completed to form an individual KE penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 11015907
    Abstract: A method for modifying a separable projectile between a test embodiment or an effect embodiment includes detaching the front projectile body from the rear projectile body, arranging a payload container in the front projectile body where the payload container comprises measuring equipment or an effect part, and fitting the front projectile body to the rear projectile body by way of a belt. A separable projectile which can be modified between a test embodiment and an effect embodiment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS BOFORS AB
    Inventor: Ulf Heiche
  • Patent number: 10220443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a steel shaped body, particularly, for example, a component for common rail fuel injection valves, comprising the method steps of: forming a powderous composition based on iron oxide, from oxide particles, with the addition of carbon and micro-alloy elements so as to adjust a bainitic microstructure; heating the powderous composition to a sinter temperature; reducing the shaped body obtained by sintering; and cooling the sintered shaped body to room temperature. As a result, from the three essential state phases in a state diagram (10), specifically the ferrite-perlite state range (11), the bainite state range (12) and the martensite state range (13), preferably the bainitic state phase is formed in a medium temperature range by the ferrite-perlite state range (11) being shifted to longer cooling periods and the martensite state range (13) being shifted to lower temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heike Langner
  • Patent number: 10048051
    Abstract: A projectile having a projectile body that includes a front end and a rear end. A cavity in the rear end of the projectile body. An internal core in the cavity. The internal core including a front end and a rear end. The front end of the internal core inserted towards the front end of the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Bullets, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Smitchko
  • Patent number: 9638501
    Abstract: A projectile includes an ordnance portion configured to impact a target and a communication apparatus positioned rearward of the ordnance portion. The projectile is configured to rotate about and travel along a longitudinal axis after launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: William P. Parker, Thomas F. A. Bibby
  • Patent number: 9593921
    Abstract: A large caliber, frangible, training projectile imitates, for training purposes, the corresponding tactical projectile. To enable fragmentation of the training projectile at impact, some embodiments of the frangible projectile are partially or entirely made of a material with a lower yield strength than the material used in the counterpart tactical projectile. Some embodiments of the frangible projectile may include portions that are sectioned, welded, or provided with stress risers. Some embodiments of the frangible projectile may include high density particles suspended in a weaker medium. The fragmentation methods may be applied to the overall mass of the projectile, or to a portion of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John F. Kostka, Luis M. Lavrador
  • Patent number: 9267774
    Abstract: A warhead nose comprises a conical/ogive body having an outer surface with a top circumference and base circumference, and ribs extending along the outer surface of the conical/ogive body tapering so that the circumference around the ribs is smaller than or equal to the circumference of the base, the warhead nose dimensions are determined by the following relations: E ? D , ? 1 5 ? D ? F ? 2 ? ? D , ? G ? 1 5 ? D , ? 1 20 ? D ? H ? 1 2 ? D , ? I ? 2 5 ? D where, D is maximum nose diameter; E is external diameter of the ribs; F is length of the ribs along the nose; G is minimal width of the ribs; H is height of the rib protrusion; and I is the minimal width of the rib at the adjoining point with the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ISRAEL MILITARY INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Amon, Anna Schwartz, Yaron Brandeis
  • Patent number: 9016206
    Abstract: A projectile designed to penetrate a liquid filled vessel and react with the liquid contained within the vessel. The projectile is formed of a narrow tapered nose portion with a thin liquid soluble casing which contains a reactive material. The nose portion is formed of spent radioactive material and is connected to an axially extending centrally positioned rod having a pressure plate on its distal end. The projectile casing contains potassium or other material which reacts with water or other liquid to create an explosion once the casing has dissolved within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Byron J. Willner
  • Patent number: 8985026
    Abstract: Techniques are described for penetrating protective vehicle armor. In one example, a penetrator round assembly comprises a main penetrator rod comprising a tungsten alloy and a solid nose engaged to the main penetrator rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8943974
    Abstract: A wall breaching explosive fragmentation ammunition having a tungsten alloy nose cap with ceramic cone nose which make possible penetration into a hardened target with survivability of the warhead. The ammunition employs a unitary construction with fuze completely within the projectile's shell case. The ammunition has an external plastic rotating band which also encloses an induction antenna. The antenna may signal the fuze on a wire, through a hole in the shell case. The fuze signals may be fed through a gun barrel, then picked up on the antenna. The ammunition also employs a controlled pattern fragmentation mechanism incorporating a patterned plastic liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Gold, William J. Poulos
  • Publication number: 20150027336
    Abstract: A projectile designed to penetrate a liquid filled vessel and react with the liquid contained within the vessel. The projectile is formed of a narrow tapered nose portion with a thin liquid soluble casing which contains a reactive material. The nose portion is formed of spent radioactive material and is connected to an axially extending centrally positioned rod having a pressure plate on its distal end. The projectile casing contains potassium or other material which reacts with water or other liquid to create an explosion once the casing has dissolved within the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Byron J. Willner
  • Patent number: 8857343
    Abstract: A projectile includes a head, a tail, and an interface that interconnects the head and tail. Multiple sections of the interface are deformed by being compressed radially inwardly into respective annular recesses formed between the interface and the head and tail during manufacturing or by rifling when the projectile is fired. The amount of deformation is controlled by the depth of each of the annular recesses. In all embodiments, annular ridges formed in the head, the tail, or both, define the longitudinal extent of the annular recesses. The interface includes an annular obturation region and has a beveled open leading end to facilitate insertion of the head and tail into the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Liberty Ammunition, LLC
    Inventor: P J Marx
  • Publication number: 20140150682
    Abstract: According to the invention, the rear part of the connecting element (1), which part is intended to be connected to a body (4) made of composite material, comprises at least one abutment (13) of annular shape, centred with respect to a longitudinal axis (10) and intended to come into contact with the front edge (14) of said body (4), and a longitudinal rearward extension (15) which is defined from said abutment (13) onward and which comprises a contact face (16) and has a shape and diameter suited to said body (4) so that its contact face (16) can come laterally into contact with a peripheral surface (17) thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: MBDA FRANCE
    Inventors: Michel Blin, Germain Chevalier
  • Patent number: 8738330
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel DiMartino, Jeffrey Darbig
  • Patent number: 8522687
    Abstract: A kinetic energy penetrator includes an elongated main body, a conical tip joined to the main body at the front end thereof, and fins located at the tail end of the main body. The tip is made of a hardmetal material which comprises hard particles including a first material and a binder matrix including a second, different material. A volume of the second material is from 3% to 40% of total volume of the hardmetal material. The hard particles include carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, or borides, or combinations thereof. The binder matrix includes Re, a Ni-base superalloy, Ni, Co, W, Ta, or Mo, or combinations thereof. The main body is made of a high density metal or alloy (Density>16.0 g/cc), such as pure W, W—Re alloy, W—Mo alloy, W—Mo—Re alloy, W—Ni alloy, W—Co alloy, W—Ni—Fe alloy, W—Ni—Co—Fe alloy, depleted U.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Shaiw-Rong Scott Liu
  • Publication number: 20130125774
    Abstract: Techniques are described for penetrating protective vehicle armor. In one example, a penetrator round assembly comprises a main penetrator rod comprising a tungsten alloy and a solid nose engaged to the main penetrator rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
  • Patent number: 8418624
    Abstract: An invention in which a projectile device is deployed from a compressed air firing system that, upon impact of the projectile device into a target, the projectile device embeds itself in the intended target's outer surface or material. In one application, a GPS receiver and transmitter provided within the projectile device relays position data to a receiving apparatus that is monitored by a stationary or mobile conveyance. In another application, the projectile device, may include remotely operable explosives which are preferably triggered once the target is an area where the explosives can be detonated with minimal collateral damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Thomas McGarraugh, Barron Christopher Miller
  • Patent number: 8316772
    Abstract: The invention describes a wall breaching explosive fragmentation ammunition and further a warhead having means for efficiently penetrating concrete and masonry walls, effectively delivering an explosive fragmentation case payload with minimum structural damage to the ammunition's projectile body. The effective wall breaching is achieved using an ogive-shaped, high strength, light weight boron carbide ceramic nose cone cap disposed adjacent to a tungsten alloy nose insert, at the fore of the ammunition. The projectile body is generally cylindrically shaped, preferably made of steel or aluminum to withstand expected forces in the launch environment. The ogive-shaped nose cone may be secured circumferentially to the projectile body with a rubber O-ring to ensure a tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United Stated of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Gold, Chuck L. Chin, William J. Poulos
  • Publication number: 20120152144
    Abstract: A round of ammunition for an assault rifle or the like includes a cartridge and a bullet or projectile. The cartridge includes a rear portion and a forward portion with a reduced diameter while the rear portion is dimensioned to fit into the breach of a rifle and defines a hollow chamber or interior volume for a mass of gun powder and primer. The forward portion of the cartridge joins a bullet. The bullet includes a bullet shaped rounded lead tip and an aerodynamically shaped forward portion including a tapered shell and a solid cylindrically shaped lead middle portion. The forward portion also includes an axial steel rod between the tip and the middle portion. The bullet also includes a rear portion including a tapered shell surrounding a second hollow chamber with a small opening in the distal part of the bullet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Salem A.S. AlSalem
  • Patent number: 8082851
    Abstract: The invention relates to ammunition for missile weapon and firearm. The cavitating core of the invention comprises a head part conjugated with a secant nose surface along the cavitating edge, a central part, and an aft part with a gliding surface, wherein the caliber of the core is defined by the maximum diameter of the circle describing the core cross-section. The contour line enveloping the cross-sections from the cavitating edge to the core caliber in the plane of the core axial longitudinal section is limited by the dependence: Dx=d×[1+(1x/d)×(2×sin ?/?)1/N]N, where Dx—is the current diameter of the core enveloping contour R, mm; d—is the cavitating edge diameter, mm; Lx—is the current distance from the cavitating edge to the core caliber, mm; ?=60° . . . 270°— is the apex angle of the tangents to the secant nose surface at the points of its conjugation with the cavitating edge measured from the side of the head part; N=(2?/?)0.4 . . . (2?/?)0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: DSG Technology AS
    Inventors: Andrey Albertovich Polovnev, Vladimir Shaymukhametovich Khasiakhmetov
  • Patent number: 7992499
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of penetrative projectiles capable of penetrating buildings whose structures are reinforced such as anti-aircraft shelters for example. The invention consists in a projectile comprising a solid penetrative body designed to perforate a wall of the building, the roof for example. Inside the projectile according to the invention are housed sub-munitions enclosing the charge in the form of bomblets, a device for plugging the hole formed in the wall by the passage of the projectile, and a sequencing and command device. When the wall is penetrated, the rear portion of the penetrative body is separated from the rest of the penetrative body and the plugging device is deployed so as to block the hole that has been passed through. After penetration, the front portion of the penetrative body continues its route toward the ground while the sub-munitions enclosing the bomblets remain suspended in the air under the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: TDA Armements SAS
    Inventors: Denis Salignon, Henri Ropars, Alain Dousset, Karine Thoral-Pierre
  • Patent number: 7886668
    Abstract: A munition includes a structural component formed from a composite material comprising a energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also provided that includes forming a energetic material, combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture, and shaping the mixture to form a composite structural munition component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: George D. Hugus, Edward W. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20100224093
    Abstract: A partial fragmentation bullet comprising a nose core, which forms a fragmenting portion of the partial fragmentation bullet, and a rear core, which forms a penetration portion of the partial fragmentation bullet. The nose core and the rear core are made of materials having the same level of hardness. This level of hardness is in the Brinell hardness range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Brenneke GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Wilhelm, Klaus Ripperger
  • Patent number: 7487727
    Abstract: A bullet includes a frontward facing aperture. Contained within the aperture is a relatively hard bullet frontal element that provides advantageous bullet impact performance. In one embodiment, the frontal element is a steel sphere that provides advantageous penetration and weight retention when the bullet impacts laminated glass, such as an automobile windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald T. Eberhart, Richard A. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7380503
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims an apparatus and method for delivering a wide array of selected agents to a target from stand-off distances. The apparatus includes a self-destruct frangible projectile made of primary, binding, and active components. The primary component generally has a specific gravity greater than lead, and the binding component generally has a specific gravity less than lead. The active component may be a metal for penetrating the target, a dye for optically marking the target, or another specially selected agent for delivery to the target, depending on the particular embodiment. The frangible projectile self-destructs upon contact with the target, in proximity to the target, or after passing the target, depending on the particular embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Newtec Services Group
    Inventors: Keith T. Williams, Michael Maston, Scott Martin
  • Patent number: 7311046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bullet for infantry ammunition comprising a bullet core (1), a bullet tip (13), and a metal case (2). The aim of the invention is to create a durable connection between the bullet core (1) and the metal case (2). To this end, the metal case (2) is a shell, which is open at the front and which is pulled onto the bullet core (1) from the rear. The bullet tip (13) projects away from the metal case (2), and a constriction (4) is provided on the bullet core (1). The case end (5) that is open at the front projects into this constriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ruag Ammotec GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Riess, Erich Muskat, Erich Zeiher
  • Patent number: 7261040
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 7107910
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 7036433
    Abstract: A projectile 10 for gun ammunition of a size not greater than 50 caliber comprising a solid metal jacket 82 of generally cup-shaped geometry and having a closed end 102 and an open end 88, a core 84 formed from a mixture of metal powders, not including lead, which mixture is cold-pressed into a self-supporting compact and disposed within said jacket, the core incompletely filling the jacket, an ogive 14 having an outer surface and defined on the initially open end of said jacket, and a conical tip 122 defined on the distal end 118 of said ogive, the tip having an outer surface 22 which defines an angle with respect to the longitudinal centerline 24 of the projectile that is greater than the angle defined by the ogive with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the projectile. A method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 6945175
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a kinetic energy penetrator warhead that may engage both surface and buried soft and hardened targets. The warhead contains a high-temperature incendiary (HTI) fill capable of destroying chemical and biological agents in such a manner to minimize dispersal of these agents. Bomblets are incorporated into the portion of the warhead that penetrates to the target and are ejected, with the HTI fill, from the warhead in order to provide holes in chemical or biological agent tanks to allow the fill to react with said agents. Finally, a guidance system is provided to direct the warhead to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl Gotzmer, Joe Mayersak, Steven S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6845719
    Abstract: A projectile and corresponding method of manufacture comprising a body comprising a structural material and a nose cap comprising a primary nose cap material attached to and having a different composition from the body structural material and a secondary nose cap material attached to the primary nose cap material and comprising the tip of the nose cap and having a different composition from both the body structural material and the primary nose cap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6843179
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 6837165
    Abstract: A bullet includes a frontward facing aperture. Contained within the aperture is a relatively hard bullet frontal element that provides advantageous bullet impact performance. In one embodiment, the frontal element is a steel sphere that provides advantageous penetration and weight retention when the bullet impacts laminated glass, such as an automobile windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald T. Eberhart, Richard A. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20040231552
    Abstract: A method to increase the penetration of kinetic energy penetrating weapons designed to engage hardened and hardened deeply buried targets. The concept utilizes a projecting nose pin on the front of the penetrator to establish a terradynamic cavity similar to hydrodynamic cavities generated when certain projectiles penetrate water at velocities sufficient to penetrate in a supercavitation mode. The creation of a terradynamic cavity in which only the nose pin is in contact with the material being penetrated significantly reduces the drag of the penetrator enabling it to penetrate deeper into various media than other more conventional designs. The invention uses two modes of penetration. A guided mode is employed where the penetrator, with its projecting nose pin, normally would be unstable and is maintained stable in a straight-line trajectory utilizing an inverse, angle-angle rate guidance law and jet reaction control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph R. Mayersak
  • Publication number: 20040055502
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 6691622
    Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a projectile shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, lithium chlorate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium chlorate, oxides thereof, peroxides thereof, and combinations thereof. Also included are methods of destroying unexploded ordnance and disposable apparati for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: General Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Charles W. Files, Dmitri Bohn
  • Publication number: 20040016357
    Abstract: A projectile 10 for gun ammunition of a size not greater than 50 caliber comprising a solid metal jacket 82 of generally cup-shaped geometry and having a closed end 102 and an open end 88, a core 84 formed from a mixture of metal powders, not including lead, which mixture is cold-pressed into a self-supporting compact and disposed within said jacket, the core incompletely filling the jacket, an ogive 14 having an outer surface and defined on the initially open end of said jacket, and a conical tip 122 defined on the distal end 118 of said ogive, the tip having an outer surface 22 which defines an angle with respect to the longitudinal centerline 24 of the projectile that is less than the angle defined by the ogive with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the projectile. A method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 6662726
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin G. Steiner
  • Patent number: 6601517
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets. In general, the invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets comprising a warhead that employs a super-cavitating nose along with a cellular structural design that uses a reinforced central post as the main load-bearing component and subdivides the explosive cavity into shorter sections. Also, initiation means for initiating the explosives are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Raafat H. Guirguis
  • Patent number: 6530328
    Abstract: A bullet comprised of a jacket of malleable metal having a closed nose portion and a rear end portion defined by a cylindrical wall, the closed nose portion having wall-weakening areas encapsulating a forward core made of a deformable material which promptly deforms, collapses axially, and expands radially to a substantial extent along with the weakened wall areas, when the bullet strikes a target. The wall weakened areas of the nose portion are ruptured by the core material to produce a collapsing and readily expanding action. These weakened wall areas are in the form of longitudinally extending, deep, internal or external, circumferentially spaced grooves with underlying web areas which are ruptured by the core material, to produce the collapsing and expanding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Burczynski, Lawrence P. Head, Craig S. Pilarski
  • Patent number: 6439127
    Abstract: A specially designed projectile is disclosed which provides an initial cruciform-shaped slit or cut, followed by the creation of a round hole into a target. This controlled entry creates a very high localized pressure during initial impact to a target for a very short duration, followed by a longer sustained lower-impact pressure. This creates a fragment-free hole into the container and can allow the projectile to penetrate sensitive explosives inside the container without shock-initiating or igniting the explosives. The projectile can disable bomb circuitry itself or provide a controlled entry hole to allow low-pressure water or other projectiles incapable of penetrating the steel container to enter freely. The leading end of the projectile can, with a high degree of accuracy, sever wires, destroy batteries, capacitors, and other components within a bomb or select military ordnance. The projectile can be used alone or in tandem with water or other disablement projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher R. Cherry
  • Patent number: 6374744
    Abstract: A shrouded bomb is provided having components which are substantially free of weld lines and rivets. The shroud assembly includes a nose cone having a forward end and a rear end, a central tube having a forward end contiguous with the rear end of the nose cone, and a rear end, and an aft tube having a forward end contiguous with the rear end of the central tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Schmacker, Ronald L. Wooten
  • Patent number: 6374743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jacketed projectile (100), comprising a tungsten carbide hard core (5) on the front side and an centered, interlocking soft core (8) placed on the hard core (5). A closed air space (6) is located between the front area (5a) of the hard core (5) and the tip of the projectile (4). This projectile configuration provides a very high penetration potential and good dynamic and ballistic properties, enabling the inventive projectiles to be used as munition for police snipers, especially to hit targets located behind a glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: SM Schweizerische Munition Sunternehmung AG
    Inventors: Carl Hug, Beat Messerli
  • Patent number: 6349652
    Abstract: A system which is packaged within a projectile fuze body and obtains data relative to the projectile during a launch. Sensors are provided which obtain in-bore data as well as in-flight data. The in-bore data is recorded at a fast rate during in-bore travel of the projectile and is read out, continuously, at a slower rate during in-flight travel. Both in-bore data and in-flight data are encoded and transmitted to a ground station for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David J. Hepner, Michael S. L. Hollis, Peter C. Muller, Thomas E. Harkins, Gary Borgen, William P. D'Amico, Bradford S. Davis, Lawrence W. Burke
  • Patent number: 6305292
    Abstract: A bullet comprised of a jacket of malleable metal having a closed nose portion and a rear end portion defined by a cylindrical wall, the closed nose portion having wall-weakening areas encapsulating a forward core made of a deformable material which promptly deforms, collapses axially, and expands radially to a substantial extent along with the weakened wall areas, when the bullet strikes a target. The nose portion has wall-weakened areas which are ruptured by the core material to produce a collapsing and radially expanding action. These weakened wall areas are in the form of longitudinally extending, deep, internal or external, circumferentially spaced grooves with underlying web areas which are ruptured by the core material, to produce the collapsing and expanding action. This core is preferably made of rubber, urethane, silicone, or one of a substantial number of plastics, each of which has a hardness within a range of Shore A 20 to Rockwell 122.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Burczynski, Lawrence P. Head, Craig S. Pilarski
  • Patent number: 6276277
    Abstract: A target-penetrating aerial bomb includes a penetrator of hard steel or similar material that contains an explosive charge. A rocket motor is formed as an annular chamber and surrounds the penetrator. The bomb includes a guidance and control unit that guides the bomb on a glide path after release from the delivery aircraft, and steers the bomb onto a dive line. Once the bomb is aligned on the dive line, the guidance and control unit fires the rocket booster to accelerate the bomb to the target. A fuse ignites the explosive after target penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Schmacker
  • Patent number: 6244187
    Abstract: A mushrooming bullet having a highly improved performance in the retention of the lead core within the bullet jacket subsequent to impact, and in performing effectively over a substantially wider velocity range, the bullet retaining its lead core within its jacket substantially 98-100% of its firings at high velocities, and mushrooming more effectively at lower velocities than conventionally manufactured bullets. The jacket is characterized by a base portion which has a substantially larger interior diameter than its shank portion, and a mouth portion which is substantially softer than its shank portion. The mushrooming of the nose portion of the core and the mouth portion of the jacket is effectively arrested by the harder thick shank portion when the bullet strikes a target, and thereby minimizes the loss of lead from the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Head
  • Patent number: 6240850
    Abstract: An improved bullet featuring a large, heavy non-aerodynamically shaped projectile that is to be used in short range life or death situations. This projectile and cartridge would be used in large game applications where the intent is not to fire unless in imminent danger. The projectile and cartridge combination of this invention would cause immediate destruction and transfer energy rapidly. The projectile is shaped to increase aerodynamic resistance by redirecting the displaced air into its preferred path. The large cross section and short body height further limit aerodynamic ability. The casing is machined from solid stock to provide a stronger more stable enclosure. This large diameter personal defense bullet uses a soft projectile body of high mass and improved shape, in conjunction with a high capacity casing of one piece precision machined construction to deliver maximum stopping power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher A. Holler
  • Patent number: 6186072
    Abstract: The present invention is a monolithic ballasted penetrator capable of delivering a working payload to a hardened target, such as reinforced concrete. The invention includes a ballast made from a dense heavy material insert and a monolithic case extending along an axis and consisting of a high-strength steel alloy. The case includes a nose end containing a hollow portion in which the ballast is nearly completely surrounded so that no movement of the ballast relative to the case is possible during impact with a hard target. The case is cast around the ballast, joining the two parts together. The ballast may contain concentric grooves or protrusions that improve joint strength between the case and ballast. The case further includes a second hollow portion; between the ballast and base, which has a payload fastened within this portion. The penetrator can be used to carry instrumentation to measure the geologic character of the earth, or properties of arctic ice, as they pass through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Hickerson, Jr., Frank J. Zanner, Michael D. Baldwin, Michael C. Maguire