Abstract: An energetic sabot allows part of the sabot to burn away at a controlled rate, adding propellant energy to the gun while at the same time completely support the projectile rod. The energetic sabot is thicker or larger at shot start to support the projectile without breaking. As the energetic sabot travels up the gun tube, the energetic sabot then thins out or otherwise decreases in mass as the force on the energetic sabot decreases. The weight of the projectile consequently decreases as it travels up the gun tube, allowing the gun gases to push a lighter projectile, giving the projectile a higher velocity. Due to its continually decreasing weight in the gun tube, the projectile experiences greater acceleration and exits the gun with a higher muzzle velocity. A secondary effect comes from increased pressure in the gun tube from the gases relinquished in the burning of the sabot, further increasing the velocity of the projectile.

Abstract: Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.

Abstract: A sabot for a projectile comprising at least two segments intended to surround and drive a sub-calibre penetrator, such sabot comprising a calibred thrust plate, wherein said sabot incorporates a body made of a light material, said body having at least one longitudinal insert made of a material having high mechanical properties, said insert having indentations cooperating with an external profile of said penetrator to allow it to be driven, said indentations extending those of said sabot body and which thus also cooperate with the external profile of said penetrator.

Abstract: Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sabot for fin-stabilized ammunition composed of segments assembled around a sub-calibrated penetrator. The sabot is characterized in that it includes at least three longitudinal bars of a substantially constant width, each having indentations co-operating with an external profile of the penetrator to allow it to be driven, as well as a calibrated thrust plate integral with the bars. Application to projectile firings.

Abstract: A plastic, cup-shaped, multi-petal sabot housing a sub-caliber projectile for use such as in shotgun cartridges. The sabot engages the rifling of the shotgun barrel and transfers the spin to the projectile. A reinforcement disk is advantageously at least partially embedded in a sabot base and has a central aperture and a plurality of additional apertures. Sabot base material extends through the additional apertures. Advantageously, in its relaxed condition, each sabot petal includes a protrusion from its inboard surface for engaging a projectile ogive. The protrusion and its contact area with the projectile are fractions of the local petal width.

Abstract: An obturator having redundant surfaces for sealing between a projectile and a gun tube, where the obturator has at least one gun tube side cannelure. At least one projectile side cannelure is located opposite to the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the at least one gun tube side cannelure is conformed to seal around the projectile. A tail protrudes from a rearward end of the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the tail makes an interference fit with the smooth gun bore to make a low pressure seal.

Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a gun having a chamber (2) with a conical transition region (4) to a caliber barrel (3) that adjoins the front of the gun. The projectile (5) has a sub-caliber penetrator (6), a jettisonable propelling cage sabot (7) connected to the penetrator (6), and at least one guide band (10) adapted to the caliber barrel (3) secured to the rear side or portion of the sabot. To ensure that the rear region of the propelling cage sabot (7) seals the chamber (2) against propellant gases that are pushing forward, even if the guide band (10) itself is still located in the chamber, an additional sealing ring (14; 17), comprising a deformable plastic, is provided on the existing guide band (10) adapted to the caliber of the barrel (3). The sealing ring assumes the function of providing the initial seal after the cartridge is ignited.

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.

Abstract: Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.

Abstract: A self-contained round of ammunition has a cartridge casing including a tubular body defining a cylindrical rifled bore and a base threadably attached to the casing body and forming a closure for a breech end of the rifled bore. A sabot which carries a ring airfoil projectile is constrained for limited axial movement within and relative to the bore from a loaded position adjacent the base to a fired position wherein an annular arresting lip integrally formed at the muzzle end of the cartridge body engages an annular abutment surface on the sabot. The lip defines a cylindrical muzzle opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore and larger than the major diameter of the projectile which may pass freely there through. The sabot in its loaded position cooperates with the base to form a pressure chamber therebetween for receiving gasses of explosion generated by a powder charge contained within the base and in communication with a primer mounted in the base.

Abstract: A long-range training cartridge meets current US Army requirements. The long-range cartridge design enables its sub-projectile to be range limited to less than 8000 meters when fired at a 10-degree gun elevation. The long-range training projectile includes a three-piece aluminum or steel sabot with a similar exterior profile to the kinetic energy tactical sabot. The sabot encapsulates a light-weight sub-projectile comprised of a steel rod and an aluminum fin or cone. Since the sub-projectile is encapsulated in the sabot, it will not be subjected to differential pressures associated with interior ballistic gun gasses. As a result the sub-projectile will therefore have less bending and better flight characteristics. The sub-projectile meets the guidelines for target accuracy and precision at ranges beyond 3000 meters.

Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a gun having a chamber (2) with a conical transition region (4) to a caliber barrel (3) that adjoins the front of the gun. The projectile (5) has a sub-caliber penetrator (6), a jettisonable propelling cage sabot (7) connected to the penetrator (6), and at least one guide band (10) adapted to the caliber barrel (3) secured to the rear side or portion of the sabot. To ensure that the rear region of the propelling cage sabot (7) seals the chamber (2) against propellant gases that are pushing forward, even if the guide band (10) itself is still located in the chamber, an additional sealing ring (14; 17), comprising a deformable plastic, is provided on the existing guide band (10) adapted to the caliber of the barrel (3). The sealing ring assumes the function of providing the initial seal after the cartridge is ignited.

Abstract: The projectile (1) is composed of a body divided into a front part (2) and a rear part (3), the latter being hollow. In the front part is embedded and fixed under pressure an axial rod (4) which terminates in a hard tip (6) located towards the front, which is conical in shape and terminated in the form of a cap (7), this tip (6) closing the front end of an air chamber (5) set axially in the front part (2) of the body (1) of the projectile, in such a way that when the projectile impacts, the tip (6) is displaced towards the inside of the chamber (5), which it causes to be compressed, thus converting the projectile (1) into pellet. The body of the projectile (1) is cylindrical and the helicoidal external grooves, like the body of which they form part, are made of lead with a high antimony content, and due to their remain intact when fired, a fact which, in combination with the hollow rear part (3), provides the trajectory with a great degree of precision.

Abstract: A barrel assembly (10) having a plurality of projectiles (11) stacked axially within the barrel (12) together with discrete selectively ignitable propellant charges (13) for propelling the projectiles (11) sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel (12) is provided with adjacent projectiles (11) separated from one another by locating means (13) independent of the projectiles. The locating means may be a solid propellant charge (13) located between adjacent projectiles or it may be a rigid casing (122) for the propellant. When subject to an in-barrel load a rear skirt portion of the active projectile (11) is expanded outwardly by the interaction between an inwardly reducing recess (14) formed in the rear end of a projectile and the nested complementary leading portion of the propellant charge (13) or propellant casing (122).

Abstract: Anchoring of a spin-stabilized projectile with a sabot body is provided by grooves arranged on the fin-stabilized projectile, which are engaged by ring-shaped protrusions provided in an axial bore of the sabot body. The distance of the first protrusion from the predetermined breaking points of the sabot body and the height of the protrusions are selected in such a way that the deformation at the predetermined breaking points in case of assembly-related spreading of the segment lies in the resilient range.

Abstract: Coating composite material sabot parts for reducing depleted uranium corrosion and sealing the surface of a machined composite sabot commences with cleaning the composite material sabot parts. Rinsing the composite material sabot parts, drying the machined composite sabot, and wiping the composite material sabot parts with a solvent follows cleaning. A moisture resistant insulator film is applied on the composite material sabot parts. Excess material is abrasively removed and additional coats are applied. The parts are wiped with a solvent between coats.

Abstract: In connection with a projectile, the effective substance (4) is designed as a projectile core (3), which is held in place by a propulsion reflector sheath (1) and a propulsion reflector back (2). The data reception coil (13) and the power supply (14) are arranged in the propulsion reflection back (2), while the remaining elements (9, 10, 11, 12) of the programmable time fuse (8) are installed in the projectile core (3, 25). Predetermined breaking points are provided in the propulsion reflector sheath (1) and the propulsion reflector back (2), so that following the firing of the projectile, the propulsion reflector sheath (1) and the propulsion reflector back (2) with the data reception coil (13) and the power supply (14) are separated, and only the projectile core (3) with the remaining elements (9, 10, 11, 12) of the programmable time fuse (8) alone continue to travel.

Abstract: A simplified tailored composite architecture for use in fabricating a composite sabot where the composite sabots are fabricated from a number of wedge kits. The resultant composite sabot includes a front scoop having a scoop angle. The simplified tailored composite architecture includes a panel adapted to be formed into a wedge kit. The panel has a number of plies of prepreg materials oriented in a number of different directions, where one of the number of different directions includes the direction of dominant homogeneous fiber orientation. A pattern within the panel includes selected prepreg segments rotated so that the direction of dominant homogeneous fiber orientation in the selected prepreg segments is aligned to be substantially parallel to the at least one dominant scoop fiber orientation when the panel is subsequently formed into a wedge kit.

Abstract: A sabot bullet having a jacket bullet body and a nonrotable sabot segments. The jacketed bullet has forward end portion, torso, and rear end portion. The forward end portion is constructed of multi-metals, having a tapered nose, hollow point with grooves to aid in the expansion. The torso is of solid single metal with outward tabs, which relates the slug when the sabot's external surface comes in contact with the rifling in the gun barrel. The rear portion a single metal with a rear cavity to reduce the over all weight and increase the ratio to the forward portion of bullet. A bullet embodiment with external rifling and an armor piecing sabot round is also disclosed.

Abstract: A discardable sabot includes a first support and a second support, aft of the first support. The first and second supports are dimensioned to cooperate with an inner surface of a weapon barrel so as to maintain the saboted projectile substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the barrel during travel of the projectile from the weapon's chamber to the muzzle. At least one of the supports is a sealing support, configured to provide a substantially gas-tight seal with the barrel and effective to allow the sabot and the projectile to be propelled forward through the barrel by expansion of propellant gas behind the sealing support. The sabot includes surfaces for permitting a flow of a portion of the gas through the sabot while redirecting such portion at least partially transverse to the axis so that the flow applies a torque to the projectile about the axis during travel of the sabot and the projectile between the chamber and muzzle.

Abstract: A subcaliber projectile, comprising a penetrator (4) and a propelling cage (5, 5') that surrounds at least a midportion of the penetrator, wherein the base region (8) of a cap (7, 7', 7") that is tapered toward the penetrator point (6) is arranged on the propelling cage (8). To achieve, on the one hand, a good and secure feeding during the firing of the projectile with automatic weapons, and, on the other hand, a good hit capability, the inertial forces of the cap (7, 7', 7") during the acceleration of the projectile (2) inside the weapon tube (1) are used to cause a defined disintegration of the cap (7, 7', 7") into segments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-molded aft seal for an armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) projectile, comprising a plastic sleeve made from a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane and thermoplastic polyester elastomer, and effective to seal an APFSDS projectile from combustion products, the plastic aft sleeve further comprising an outwardly flanged first portion having a radius of curvature of from about 0.1 to 5 inches; a constantly decreasing diameter second portion; and an inwardly flanged substantially conical third portion connected to the second portion by a curved portion having a radius of curvature of from about 0 to 0.25 inch.

Abstract: A subcaliber projectile with a penetrator (4) and a cap (7) that surrounds the front of the penetrator (4) to form an air space therebetween and is tapered toward the penetrator point (6). The cap surface has at least two groove-shaped predetermined break locations (10-12) that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis (9) of projectile (2). To achieve a secure feeding of the projectile during the firing with automatic weapons on the one hand, and a good strike capability on the other hand, at least one radial recess (15-18) is arranged in each of the groove-shaped predetermined break locations (10-12) in the region of the base half of cap (7), and extends completely through the jacket (14) of cap (7).

Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy projectile includes a cylindrical penetrator core of tungsten heavy metal; a solid conical projectile tip of light metal adjoining a front end of the penetrator core in a butt joint; and a friction weld bonding the penetrator core to the projectile tip at the butt joint.

Abstract: This inflator of this invention includes a casing with a chamber containing an oxidizer gas. An exit port is located at one end of the casing which is closed by a burst disk. An exit tube extends into the chamber from the exit port to provide an orderly path for generated gases to leave the chamber. A fuel cell holding a liquid fuel is located at another end of the casing. A piston is driven in the fuel cell by gases from an igniter to drive the liquid fuel into the chamber. An igniter channel interconnects a region containing hot gases from the igniter to a region in the chamber where the liquid fuel and the oxidizer gas are mixed together. An injector tube conveys the fuel from a discharge end of the liquid fuel cell to a combustion region adjacent the igniter channel.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a subcaliber projectile as well as a projectile (1) which is formed according to the method and which comprises a penetrator (2), a propelling cage (3) surrounding the central or mid-portion of the penetrator, and a plastic cap (5) that is arranged on the front of the propelling cage (3) and is conically tapered toward the penetrator point (4). For an easy and cost-effective way of manufacturing the connection between the plastic cap (5) and the propelling cage (3), according to the invention a thermoplastic synthetic material is used as the material for the cap (5), and the plastic cap (5) is attached by ultrasonic welding to the propelling cage (3).

Abstract: A sabot body (4) is completely enclosed by the sabot casing (3) which partly also encloses the rear of the pointed projectile (1). The sabot body (4) has the shape of a one-part or multiple-part hollow body with circumferential grooves (5, 34), and an exterior diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the sabot casing. The sabot optimizes gas sealing, reduces weight, and reduces the risk posed by metal splinters.

Abstract: A collapsible training projectile includes a nose, a body and a tail. The dy has a forwardmost end secured to the nose, and a rearwardmost end secured to the tail. The body further includes one or more axial, longitudinal slots that extend radially through at least part of the body, such that when the projectile impacts with an object, the kinetic energy causes the body to plastically deform along the slots, thereby reducing the penetration energy of the projectile. In another embodiment, the projectile includes a wedge, a body and a tail. The forwardmost end of the body is secured to the wedge, and its rearwardmost end is secured to the tail.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge comprises a full bullet 1 held in a primer socket D containing a propellant charge P. The bullet 1 includes an flechette 2 and a launcher 10 concentrically received on the flechette to allow relative translation. The flechette 1 comprises an flechette body 3 of hard material having a conical head 4, and a stabilizer 6 fixed to a rear of the body 3. The stabilizer 6 has an integral lip 8 which seals the bullet 1 in the barrel to optimize pressure build-up during firing. The launcher translates forward relative to the flechette when released from the primer socket D. The full bullet remains intact in flight. The launcher strikes the target first and transmits high energy to the target. Immediately thereafter, the flechette translates forward to penetrate the target.

Abstract: A multi-flechette weapon packing for a flechette holding canister has one set of fin back flechettes, each having a tip end and a fin end with a plurality of integral fins at the fin end and a plurality of fin forward flechettes, each having a tip end and an opposite end and a plurality of integral fins offset from the opposite end toward the tip end. The fin back flechettes and fin forward flechettes are located in the canister and adjacent to each other in an alternating fashion with the tip ends aligned in the same direction to increase packing density.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sabot having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of sabot segments. Each of the sabot segments comprises a repeating structure of:(a) a plurality of plies of a first fibrous material oriented radially from the longitudinal axis, wherein each fiber of the first fibrous material is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and(b) a plurality of plies of a second fibrous material, wherein each fiber of the second fibrous material is oriented nonparallel to the longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to every other fiber of the second fibrous material. The total number of plies in each repeating structure is at least five (5). The invention is also directed to an APFSDS kinetic energy tank projectile that utilizes the above-described sabot.

Abstract: A method for converting mortar shells into shells for use in smooth-bore gun barrels having an interior surface. The mortar shells include a warhead having a front end, a rear end, a tail fin, and a propellant charge. A guide casing is attached to at least the rear end of the warhead. The guide casing includes an outside surface. The guide casing supports at least the rear end of the warhead and is adapted for use with the smooth-bore gun barrel that the converted shells are to be fired from. A bourrelet is attached to the outside surface of the guide casing for sealing between the converted shells and the interior surface of the smooth-bore gun barrel that the converted shells are to be fired from.

Abstract: An armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot kinetic energy projectile includes a pre-molded plastic aft seal sleeve to protect the sabot from damage from the propellant and replaces both the RTV and the protective sheath of conventional designs. The seal is manufactured from thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic polyester elastomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to munitions for weapons of small, medium or large caliber. The munitions include a subprojectile combined with a launcher which fills the bore of the weapon and which detaches under the effect of the aerodynamic forces on leaving the weapon, the assembly being incorporated into a cartridge which furthermore comprises a primed case and a propellent charge. The subprojectile includes a body made of hard material, combined with an axisymmetric element including a front central nozzle communicating with at least two annular nozzles to channel the airflow.

Abstract: To mitigate groove drag in a kinetic energy projectile, an intumescent maial is inserted in the grooves wherein the material will expand to fill the grooves once the sabot has been discarded. The groove material inhibits aerodynamic recirculation that can occur in the grooves, fills the groove and keeps out freestream gasses. The expanding groove material occupies the space previously filled by the sabot tooth. The groove-filling material expands quickly, because the flight of the projectile is typically on the order of one to two seconds. The groove filling material may also be an elastic material.

Abstract: A tail piece for a projectile includes at least three fins connected to either the projectile itself or a bracket connected to the projectile. Each fin is linked to the projectile/bracket by at least one fastening foot that cooperates with at least one recess of the projectile/bracket.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge has a casing adapted to hold a primer, a propellant charge, and a subprojectile encased in a multi-piece sabot (launcher). The sabot has, in the immediate vicinity of the subprojectile, an internal annular chamber separated from the propellant charge by a deformable or breakable partition wall having a reduction in its thickness or a groove in a predetermined area. This wall is designed to break away or deform upon firing. The sabot also has an external channel forming an external chamber with the inner wall of the casing. This external chamber is separated from the internal annular chamber by a single elongated external wall.

Abstract: A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material.In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.

Abstract: An improved tubular projectile is described wherein an effective balance has been obtained between the design parameters of reduced mass/reduced aerodynamic drag, flight characteristics, and high energy transfer upon impact. An elongate tubular projectile is provided with an axial passageway, with a central section of generally uniform diameter and flared ends. Slots are cut into the leading end to assist with expansion upon impact. The tubular projectile can be used in sabot type, ammunition, full bore shotgun ammunition, and in conventional case type rifle ammunition.

Abstract: Jettisonable sabot for a subcaliber projectile. In a jettisonable sabot for a subcaliber projectile, which is fired from a weapon barrel having helical grooves, there is a risk that individual segments of a sabot body, strike the projectile body with their edges during the separation from the projectile body, with these impacts against the projectile body impairing the impact accuracy. In order to avoid these impacts, the parting planes or slots between the individual segments of the sabot body are not arranged radially, as in the past, but rather parallel with radial planes with a specified distance (d) corresponding to at least half of the radius (R) of the projectile body, with the slits between the segments of the sabot jacket preferably being arranged parallel to radial planes with a specified distance (d).

Abstract: An improved small caliber armor piercing projectile (10) having a fin stabilized sub-caliber high density rod penetrator (11) and an adequately large tracer cavity (23). The tracer cavity does not degrade the armor penetrating capability of the projectile. The rod penetrator core is supported structurally during gun launch by a minimum weight segmented sabot (13) which engages the barrel rifling, followed by a solid plastic obturator (15) which provides an uninterrupted gas seal and holds the segmented sabot components together around the rod penetrator prior to launch. The solid obturator is made from a low ductility homogenous plastic or plastic reinforced composite and is blown apart upon muzzle exit by entrapped propellant gas pressure retained in an internal aft cavity (19). The plastic obturator are located behind the structural sabot so that the propellant gas pressure will maintain the obturator under hydrostatic compression while in the barrel to ensure projectile in-bore stability.

Abstract: The terminal effectiveness of fin stabilized, subcaliber armor piercing projectiles depends primarily on the impact velocity at the target. The aerodynamic drag and related velocity decay experienced over the trajectory from the gun to target is reduced by shortening the length of the acceleration transfer interface between subcaliber projectile and discarding sabot. This applies for multiple annular grooves and helical grooves. Special groove configurations to reduce the pressure drag and related boundary layer shock wave interaction are disclosed. The reduction in length of the acceleration transmitting interface permits its location to a position aft of the point of boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow and therewith to take advantage of the low frictional coefficient of the laminar boundary layer over a large portion of the subcaliber projectile. The resulting reduction in aerodynamic drag is particularly effective for mid caliber projectiles.

Abstract: In subcaliber projectiles at discharge, a sabot is located between the inner wall surface of the cannon and the fin-stabilized projectile, wherein the sabot, which in a known manner serves to increase the acceleration area, is comprised of a sabot body and a sabot jacket, wherein, in order that upon exit of the projectile from the weapon barrel, the sabot can readily detach itself from the subcaliber projectile, the sabot is segmented, with the contact areas between segments on one side and between the subcaliber projectile and segments on the other side leading to sealing problems, which are overcome, in accordance with this invention, via a special segmentation of the sabot body, with longitudinal slots which include at least, in part, a T-shaped cross section, and reference fracture locations in the region of its inner diameter as well as a gas-tight seal with a concave shaped forwardly-widening seal bonnet having a closing seal.

Abstract: An ultra light weight sabot for a subcaliber projectile comprises a sabot having three reduced mass segments each incorporating driving grooves at their inner diameter, an aft bourrelet, a central cavity beneath the aft bourrelet and an outwardly directed projection forward of the aft bourrelet to support the forward end of the projectile as it travels through a gun bore. The aft bourrelet has a balloon type obturator thereon which also fastens to the cartridge case. A bore extending through the obturator and the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity equalizes pressure between the case and the annular cavity to assist in sabot segment separation from the subcaliber projectile.

Abstract: A 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 double ramped, saboted, kinetic energy assembly automatically aligns a jectile in a gun tube. The assembly has an acceleration activated device consisting of a split centering ring causing alignment during the early phase of the shot motion of the projectile. The assembly also includes a series of small protrusions or a continuous expandable ring which forces and maintains the projectile into a straight aligned position during its traversal of the gun tube. The assembly may have either a smooth bore or a rifled bore gun tube. The disclosure also include a method related to the assembly.

Abstract: Kinetic energy projectiles including sabots having stiffened bourrelets which tune and improve shot performance. Shot dispersion for the projectiles is decreased by reducing adverse dynamic perturbations imparted to the projectiles during projectile launch. Reducing dynamic perturbations is accomplished by better controlling interior ballistics by changing the stiffness of the sabot bourrelets.

Abstract: A cartridge for a kinetic energy projectile, where the projectile has a deter of less than a gun bore diameter and the projectile is saboted in order to support and guide the projectile along the gun bore. The sabot 42 has a closing disk 48 which radially extends from the projectile or penetrator 41 to the internal diameter of the gun bore. The closing disk is positioned on the penetrator at a location spaced from an open end 14 of a cartridge case 49. A shell 13 extends from the closing disk to the open end 14 of the cartridge case. The shell 13 is positioned adjacent the internal diameter of the gun bore, and the shell 13 along with the sabot defines a sabot volume. The sabot volume along with the volume defined by the cartridge case is filled with propellant.

Abstract: Stiffeners between sabot petals resist bending of a kinetic energy projece, and thereby reduce aiming dispersion. The stiffeners compensate for material removed during the separation of an annular sabot into individual sabot petals, thereby eliminating the need for post-assembly machining to restore a circular perimeter. The stiffeners may extend radially from the surface of the kinetic energy projectile to the gun bore, for direct force carry-through, to reduce flexure and whip. In one embodiment, a thick portion on each stiffener fits into a notch in the abutting sabot petals to strengthen the sabot in a manner similar to an "I" beam.