Abstract: The sabot (16) relates to a projectile (11) which can be accelerated in an accelerator comprising a tubular preaccelerator followed by RAM acceleration tubes. It consists of an outer band (18) which is designed in a way to be attached to the radial fins (13) at the rear of the projectile (11) and to support the peripheral sealing elements (25) and a subcaliber base plate (31) of relatively small thickness, which is designed in such a way that it rests on the outer band (18) with its perimeter, and if necessary on the projectile base (7) with its center part, and that it separates from the projectile (11) and the outer band (18) before the projectile (11) enters into the acceleration tubes.

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: A novel cartridge for conventional shot gun and other weapons, suitable for training and other applications, and containing a thin-walled ball encapsulating a substance to be ejected upon the ball hitting the target, provided with a folded fan enclosure for the ball and its holder within the cartridge which, upon expulsion of the ball-holder-fan unit upon firing, causes the ball to separate and continue to the target, while the folded fan segments spring open in free flight into an air-resistant disc and then pinwheel with the holder harmlessly to the ground within a short distance of the gun.

Abstract: A clip-lock cap for protecting saboted projectiles or penetrators. This cap is formed of several independent segments held together by mechanical clips, the latter being designed to be released from the segments and thus allow dispersal of the segments only when the combined penetrator and cap is exposed to high axial acceleration. It will be understood that because the cap separation from the projectile is achieved through mechanical means, the cap segments can be designed to be as rugged as required to meet rough handling loads and environmental requirements without affecting the reliability or repeatability of the discard process and irrespective of segment material, environmental conditions or projectile spin rate.

Abstract: A sabot for retaining therein a conventionally shaped tapered-nose bullet when the sabot is seated in place in a shotgun shell casing, so that the shotgun can be used to fire conventional lead or copper jacketed lead bullets in a shotgun.

Abstract: A sabot for a shotgun shell provided with a recess in its base upon which opellant gases may act to radially expand and flatten the sabot thereby enhancing the dispersion of shot. In alternate embodiments the recess may be conoidal, parabolic, pyramidal, or an involute surface resembling a cone. The recess may also be comprised of multiple overlapping layers. Each recess provides a unique shot pattern for short-range antipersonnel engagements. In other embodiments, the foregoing recesses are provided with grooves to facilitate petalling of the recess and flattening of the sabot during and after launch. In another embodiment, the recess is filled with propellant and capped with a consumable plug to delay ignition of the propellant charge, further enhancing shot dispersion.

Abstract: A projectile carrier for use for the muzzle loading firearm. The carrier is formed of two separate and identical halves which abut along a common vertical plane. The two halves of the carrier when combined form a circular bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The side wall has a top opening for receiving a projectile.

Abstract: A sabot comprised of a frangible material, having a substantially smooth er surface, and an inner surface which accommodates one or more penetrators. The sabot is capable of surviving gun launching and flight without disintegration. In one embodiment the sabot is comprised of a material which will disintegrate upon impact with a cardboard sheet having a thickness of 0.05" to 0.10" when travelling at a velocity between 4920 and 6890 feet per second. A preferred material is nylon 6/6. In another embodiment the sabot forms an aerodynamic shell about the penetrator or penetrators, allowing disks and other aerodynamically unstable penetrators to be launched.

Abstract: A propelling cage discarding sabot for a spin-stabilized subcaliber projectile, including a plastic material which is shaped and which is composed of a polyamide and from about 5% to about 30% by weight of carbon fiber, the plastic material having a specific weight which does not exceed 1.11 g/cm.sup.3, a tensile strength which is greater than 120 N/mm.sup.2, and a maximum water absorption which does not exceed 0.8% so that the propelling cage discarding sabot has mechanical characteristics which are substantially constant and has substantial dimensional trueness.

Abstract: A sabot bullet having a bullet body and sabot segments defining an outer cylindrical surface in surrounding relationship to the bullet body. The bullet body has a pair of spaced conical parts interconnected by a central part of cylindrical configuration. The central part increases the strength of the bullet body and assures that the bullet body will not break at the central part during penetration of the bullet body in a target. Another embodiment of the sabot bullet includes a bullet body having a front part of metallic material and a rear part of a second material, such as plastic or the like. The second part, being lighter in weight than the first part, reduces the overall weight of the bullet body to assure a higher velocity of travel of the bullet body with greater accuracy due to its lighter weight. An armor piercing sabot bullet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sabot for use with a spin stabilized projectile comprises a closed front end portion having lines or strips of weakness running along sides of the sabot which meet at a front end surface of the sabot, thereby providing a continuously extending line or region of weakness across the front end surface.Preferably, the sabot front end portion has at least three, desirably four or more, lines or strips of weakness running along the length of the front end portion. These lines or strips may meet at an intersection of lines or strips at the front end surface, but they preferably meet at a front end membrane region.Discarding sabots according to the present invention are especially suitable for use with tubular projectiles. These projectiles may for example be used in training ammunition rounds which are suitable for firing from the UK 30 mm RARDEN (UK Registered Trade Mark) Gun.

Abstract: A subcaliber, spin stabilized, discarding sabot projectile of the type including a projectile body, with a conically tapered tip, and a discardable sabot which completely encloses said projectile body and includes a base portion and a plastic hood portion connected to the base portion, and with the hood portion having an inner conical surface which contacts at least a portion of the conically tapered tip of the projectile body and being provided, on its circumferential surface, with a plurality of symmetrically disposed grooves which extend in the longitudinal direction of said projectile and form desired break locations along which the hood portion tears open into a plurality of segments after firing from a weapon and after the projectile has left the weapon muzzle.

Abstract: An anti-material projectile of trangible alloy for fragmenting due to impact shock on hitting a target thereafter penetrating the target causing damage. The projectile is preferably high density frangible alloy having a ratio of compressive to tensile strength of 20 to 1. The projectile is useful against soft targets suct as aircraft as well as armor targets where initial impact is at the armor plating. The projectile may be a composite of pyrophoric windscreen with a projectile body of frangible alloy and armor piercing alloy.

Abstract: Subcaliber ammunition, especially for utilization with cannon which are mounted on board aircraft, including a subcaliber projectile core and a propulsion mechanism. The propulsion mechanism is constructed as an inherently stable secondary projectile which flies at a readily estimatable trajectory. The propulsion mechanism continues to fly in the manner of a projectile subsequent to the separation thereof from the projectile core.

Abstract: A device for protecting the fins of a projectile having a cylindrical houg with a closed base, a side wall and an open end, the closed base having a seat for transmitting a portion of the propellant forces used to launch the projectile to the fins, the open end having pivotably attached a number of petal enclosures in the shape of a frustrum of a right circular cone with a contoured surface at one end. A modified sabot retaining ring keeps the petals in a closed position against the projectile. Either a spring, a petal bell or an explosive is used for opening the petals after the projectile exits the muzzle end of a launcher.

Abstract: A practice projectile has a cylindrical casing having front and rear portions; a bottom section attached to the rear portion of the cylindrical casing; a frontal nose section including at least two subcomponents which have front and rear portions. The subcomponents can assume a closed position in which the projectile has an external configuration identical to that of a live projectile having the same caliber and an open position in which the subcomponents are in a spread-apart state at a given opening angle. The rear portion of the subcomponents is pivotally connected to the front portion of the cylindrical casing. There is further provided a device for holding the subcomponents together in the closed position prior to firing the projectile. The holding device is arranged to be overcome by centrifugal forces derived from a projectile spin subsequent to firing, to thereafter allow the subcomponents to assume the open position.

Abstract: High velocity projectiles are able to continue in flight for considerable distances beyond the normal target range. The present invention is a projectile for use in practice firing which becomes unstable after the normal target range has been exceeded and comprises a training round (1) having a body portion (3) engageable with a sabot (4) for projection from a rifled gun barrel, and a tapered nose portion (2) protrusive beyond the sabot, which is provided with a nose tip portion (6) having spin fins (9) extending in planes radial to the longitudinal axis. The fins increase the rate of spin decay and cause instability of the round and the fin geometry is chosen such that the instability occurs when the target range has been exceeded. The finned nose tip portion is separable from the round so as to permit selective attachment of a nose tip portion having fins specifically dimensioned for terminating the trajectory at a chosen safety range.

Abstract: A rail gun projectile includes superconducting material. Current from a DC power supply flows between the rails through the superconducting material with a component at right angles to the elongated direction of the rails. The superconducting material is of a type that the current flowing through it produces a force for driving the projectile longitudinally along the rails. Metal abutting against the superconducting material shunts current from the power supply around a portion of the superconducting material having a tendency to go normal to the remainder of the superconducting material in the superconducting state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gun assembly includes a gun barrel, a projectile structure disposed within the gun barrel, and a plurality of bore rider members disposed between the projectile structure and the gun barrel. The bore rider members are dimensioned and arranged to maintain the projectile structure spaced-apart from the gun barrel, restrict lateral movement of the projectile structure relative to the gun barrel, accommodate ablative mass loss, and accommodate static and dynamic gun barrel expansion. Each bore rider member has a tapered shape that includes converging first and second surfaces, the first surface facing the gun barrel, the second surface facing the projectile structure, and the first and second surfaces converging in a direction opposite to a direction of acceleration in which the projectile structure is to be accelerated along the gun barrel.

Abstract: A sabot projectile with a propulsion mechanism for utilization in a liner for a barreled firing apparatus. In the projectile, the propellent cage for a projectile with a propulsion mechanism includes hinge-like segments articulated forwardly in the firing direction, which encompass the projectile about the circumference thereof and are rotatable therewith, inasmuch as the segments are held together through the intermediary of a retainer ring.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy contains finely dispersed magnesium intermetallic phases. The alloy has the form of a filament or a powder and is especially suited for consolidation into bulk shapes having superior combination of strength, ductility and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Increasingly greater requirements as concerns mechanical strength and gas tightness are placed upon the connection between the sabot tail or rear portion and the sabot jacket of a sabot projectile. To improve such connection the invention contemplates subdividing the prior conventional circumferential groove at the sabot tail or rear portion into a rear sealing groove and a front holding groove. In corresponding fashion the sabot jacket possesses a rear sealing lip or flange which protrudes into the rear sealing groove of the sabot tail or rear portion and a holder rib which protrudes into the front holding groove of the sabot tail or rear portion. According to a particular construction the rear sealing groove possesses mutually parallel side walls which are forwardly inclined with respect to the lengthwise axis of the projectile at an angle of about 75.degree..

Abstract: A discarding sabot projectile comprises:a subcaliber projectile;a discarding sabot means for providing a full caliber carrier for the projectile;a discarding sabot base abutting a rearwardly facing surface of the aft end of the projectile, which base is free of direct positive coupling to the projectile;sabot/projectile coupling means for direct connection of the discarding sabot means to the projectile to prevent axially forward displacement of the projectile relative the sabot; andsabot/base coupling means for direct and positive connection of the discarding sabot means to the sabot base, locking the projectile into position within the cavity defined by the discarding sabot means and sabot base.

Abstract: A projectile suitable for use with an electromagnetic launcher or railgun. he projectile has a detachable conductive header portion which mates closely with and is restrained by one of the rails of a railgun. The header eliminates arcing and rail damage. The remainder of the projectile is ejected through a hole in the header toward a target.

Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the rifling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.

Abstract: Increasingly greater requirements as concerns mechanical strength and gas tightness are placed upon the connection between the sabot tail or rear portion and the sabot jacket of a sabot projectile. To improve such connection the invention provides a circumferential groove at the sabot tail or rear portion, this circumferential groove having side walls extending essentially parallel to one another and inclined forwardly with respect to the lengthwise axis of the projectile at an angle of about 75.degree.. The rear end of the sabot jacket protrudes into such circumferential groove.

Abstract: Form-locking means and process for joining same to a subcaliber projectile in a peripheral region thereof. The form-locking means consists of a material in the form of a n-phase sintered alloy having a high content of at least one heavy metal, wherein n.gtoreq.2. The material forming the form-locking means in the peripheral region of the subcaliber projectile form at least one further alloy phase. The form-locking means includes interlocking lands and grooves, and are joined to the periphery of the subcaliber projectile in the form of a layer of predetermined thickness which can be joined to the projectile surface by means of explosion welding.

Abstract: An article in the form of a projectile, a shock-sensitive switch or a sabot having an active component of shape-memory alloy which exhibits the shape-memory effect to provide a mechanical movement in response to a pressure wave passing through the article is disclosed. A thermal enhancement component which rapidly generates heat to initiate the shape-memory effect is also disclosed.

Abstract: A missile support structure comprises at least two sabots or packing bodies which surround a missile in a launch tube and extend along at least part of its length. The sabots substantially fill the gap between the outer surface of the missile and the walls of the launch tube to restrict lateral movement. A capture assembly is provided to capture the sabots at the launch tube exit as the missile leaves the tube, and a return mechanism is provided on each sabot for intercepting the missile exhaust flow to urge the sabots back down into the launch tube.

Abstract: It is important with a sabot projectile to reliably fasten the projectile core or body in the sabot tail. This should be achieved without the need for circumferential grooves in the projectile core or body for fastening such projectile core or body in the sabot tail. Furthermore, the projectile core or body should be fastened in the sabot tail without the aid of the sabot jacket. This is achieved in that an attachment or fastening sleeve of the sabot tail extends to the substantially conical-shaped tip of the projectile core or body and bears against this substantially conical-shaped tip in order to prevent the projectile core or body from falling out of the sabot tail.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sabot projectile is disclosed in which the projectile core is used as the core pin of a mold and a sabot is molded directly onto and in alignment with the projectile core and the core nose is held by a special alignment ring.

Abstract: A high velocity traced armor penetrating subcaliber projectile core having sealed radial spin-up notches on its base is disclosed. Also disclosed, is a plastic sabot for launching a traced subcaliber high velocity armor penetrating projectile core, which sabot is a cup shaped plastic body with a sealed passageway through its base and longitudinal weakening slots on the inside of its walls, the slot extending only part way down the inner surface of the wall to leave a cylindrical sealing surface adjacent the sabot base, whereby to provide a waterproof seal surrounding the rearend of the core and the tracer charge.

Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the rifling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.

Abstract: A slug assembly for a shotgun shotshell, having a slug which has a circular largest diameter portion, and which has at least one cylindroid portion consisting of inclined generatrices, a sleeve like spacer made of a plurality of split spacer elements coaxially surrounding the slug. The spacer has inner portions which come into close contact with the cylindroid portion of the slug. The slug assembly also has a disc like stabilizer between the wad and the slug, connected to the slug by means of male and female connectors. A front surface of the stabilizer comes into close contact with the rear end of the spacer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a penetrator (1, 11) made of heavy metal, such as, for instance, tungsten heavy metal or depleted uranium, for driving-cage projectiles which have the penetrator led by the driving cage in the gun barrel. The driving cage (6, 12) detaches itself from the penetrator after the launch. The penetrator (1, 11) shows lower strength and higher ductility in the middle portion (d) of its length than in its head portion (c) and, in its tail portion, it shows higher strength and lower ductility than in its middle portion (d) and lower strength and higher ductility than in its head portion (c). This shall decrease the risk of fracture when striking an armour.

Abstract: An armature for use in electromagnetic projectile launchers is provided with a plurality of modular conductive fiber bundles which are arranged in a rectangular array and attached to an insulating armature support structure. The conductive fibers extend across the launcher bore and are sized to provide an interference fit between a pair of generally parallel conductive launcher rails. Each fiber bundle includes a rectangular central sheath and a pair of peripheral rectangular sheets positioned on opposite sides of the central sheath. The axis of each peripheral sheet is positioned at an angle with respect to the axis of the central sheath.

Abstract: A high velocity ammunition sabot with internal notches of special design to give reliable break-up upon exit from a rifled gun barrel due to centrifugal forces.

Abstract: In an ammunition round a substantially full bore diameter bullet has a plurality of elongate grooves either helically formed or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the bullet and a sabot which has a body and fingers which engage with the grooves and seal the bullet in a casing, the sabot having a slightly larger diameter than the bullet so that the sabot is engraved by the refling slots in the barrel through which the round is to be fired, in order to rotate the bullet. In alternative constructions the grooves contain elongate elements or a plurality of spherical elements to prevent the conically tapered slug or bullet from tilting or cocking in the barrel after firing.

Abstract: A sabot-type cartridge has a one-piece body of thermoplastic material and a standard body configuration, such as that of a .44 Magnum, with a propellant chamber, primer, and an integral sabot of full caliber. The sabot is generally hollow, cylindrical in configuration, with radially extending ribs, separated by longitudinal grooves, the ribs supporting and centering a sub-caliber projectile, such as a .22 caliber. The annular mouth of the sabot is co-planar with the tip of the projectile to form a tapered funnel-like air inlet. A gas-actuated cutter means, in the form of a normally cupped metal member, is interposed between the projectile and the propellant chamber. There are sharp cutting edges on the multiple lobes of the member to slice the sabot free of the cartridge upon detonation of the propellant. As the sabot exits from the muzzle of the firearm, air pressure expands the sabot, in the manner of a spring collet, and releases the projectile.

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

Abstract: A sabot arrangement for launching a penetrator from an electromagnetic acerator and including a forward sabot that is made of a multiplicity of segments with the segments being made of electrical and thermal insulating material and a base sabot that includes a metal shell made of three integral parts with a cap of electrical and thermal insulating material for insulating the shell structure from the launch tube of an electomagnetic accelerator.

Abstract: A nose unit for a discarding sabot penetrator having a bolt in a bore of the pointed nose which is temporarily displaced on firing due to acceleration and against a restoring spring. This produces a circular edge and a break in the contour of the nose to define a limit surface between a zone of supersonic airflow and a zone of subsonic airflow, at least during the separation of the sabot segments. This facilitates the uniformed detachment of the segments.

Abstract: A high velocity ammunition sabot of brittle material which has sufficient strength to withstand the forces of being launched from a rifled gun barrel but which fragments almost immediately upon exit from the barrel due to centrifugal forces. A polyetherimide material is preferred, although materials of equivalent properties could be used.

Abstract: Form-locking means and process for joining same to a sub-caliber projectile in a peripheral region thereof.The form-locking means consist of a material in the form of an n-phase sinter alloy having a high content of at least one heavy metal, where n.gtoreq.2. The material forming the form-locking means in the peripheral region of the sub-caliber projectile form at least one further alloy phase. The form-locking means are joined to the periphery of the sub-caliber projectile in the form of a layer of predetermined thickness which can be joined to the projectile surface by recasting with a melt of the form-locking material or by flame-spraying such layer on the projectile surface.

Abstract: A nose unit for a discarding sabot penetrator having a bolt in a bore of the pointed nose which is temporarily displaced on firing due to acceleration and against a restoring spring. This produces a circular edge and a break in the contour of the nose to define a limit surface between a zone or supersonic airflow and a zone of subsonic airflow, at least during the separation of the sabot segments. This facilitates the uniformed detachment of the segments.

Abstract: A blank for a sabot having premachined separating lines which are fabricated for the purpose of avoiding cost-intensive machinery by means of extrusion presses and subsequently reduction rolling. A predetermined oversize relative to the finished sabot can be strictly adapted to prevailing requirements by means of a radial gap extending between the separating lines and the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A fin-stabilized projectile which includes a propellant cage encompassing the projectile body, and with the cage consisting of a plurality of segments retained together through suitable fastening media, and which incorporates, at its leading end, an annular recess extending beyond the overall diameter of the propellant cage, through which there is initiated the spreading apart of the segments subsequent to the exit of the projectile from the weapon barrel.

Abstract: The invention provides for precise control of the initial trajectory of the etals of a discarding sabot from a gun-launched, sabot-driven projectile, so as to eliminate or minimize unbalanced forces on the projectile and avoid disturbance of its flight path. To achieve this precision, a separate, symmetrically oriented hinging element between the sabot petals is used. The hinging element is structurally separate from any means by which the sabot is secured to the projectile or other ammunition components, so that its shape and location, and the material from which it is made, may be oriented specifically to this function. The sabot petals are furthermore contoured with relief cuts so that as the petals rotate open about the projectile, the stress on the hinging element becomes sufficient to rupture it only after the petals have opened sufficiently to clear the projectile.

Abstract: A kinetic energy penetrator assembly includes a motor casing having an aft pening. A nozzle with a nozzle opening is seated in the aft opening of the casing and confines expanding gases produced by burning propellant in the casing to a configuration for applying a thrust to the casing. An aft pusher plate is connected to a plug which plugs the nozzle opening and which has an aft space for receiving expanding gases. A penetrator rod is connected to the forward end of the motor casing and includes a bore riding sabot having substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the pusher plate and an aft portion of the motor casing. The penetrator assembly is meant to be launched from a gun with expanding gases in the gun barrel pushing against the pusher plate and ejecting the penetrator at some velocity from the barrel bore.

Abstract: Sabot adapters are provided for mounting along the outer periphery of a ret on opposite sides of the center of gravity with the sabot adapters at each location including inner and outer ring shaped structures that are made of segments and telescoped together with tapering surfaces so that as the two ring structures are moved together they expand radially to fill the radial spacing between the rocket and a rocket launch tube to provide support for the rocket and cause accurate firing of the rocket.