Abstract: The projectile, adapted to be fired from an automatic cannon, comprises a frangible porous brittle generally cylindrical casing made of a molded sintered powder material preferably consisting predominantly of 60 to 100% type 316 stainless steel powder mixed with pure iron powder ranging from 40% by weight to zero. The powder material initially includes graphite powder ranging from about 0.2% to 2% by weight. The powder material is compressed into a casing mold to a molded density ranging from about 0.21 to about 0.24, perferably 0.23 of a pound per cubic inch. The molded powder is sintered in an inert atmosphere at a temperature ranging from about 1500 to about 1700, preferably 1600.degree. F. for a time sufficient to unite the molded powder into a brittle porous frangible casing. During sintering, the graphite powder vaporizes and escapes whereby porosity and frangibility are imparted to the casing.

Abstract: The technical sector of the invention is that of sealing bands for arrow-type munitions.The sealing band (5) according to the invention is arranged in an annular groove (9) of a sabot (2) of an arrow-type projectile, and is characterized in that it comprises a substantially annular rear zone (8) on which, when the band (5) is positioned in the groove, comes into contact a seal (6) joined to the sabot, and in that it comprises means (12, 13, 17) ensuring its mechanical joining, due to similarity of shape, with the material forming the seal (6).Application to the field of large-caliber munitions.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of slipping driving bands fitted to projectiles of any caliber fired from a rifled barrel. The slipping driving band according to the invention consists of a driving band boby 8 and a front ring 7 arranged in a circumferential groove 6 of the projectile 1 and separated by an axial gap 12, and is characterized by the fact that the bottom of the groove 6 has a tapered seat 9, the angle of which opens towards the rear of the projectile and that the driving band body 8 has an internal profile complementary with that of the tapered seat 9. The present invention is particularly suited to discarding sabot projectiles of medium caliber.

Abstract: A propulsion mechanism for a subcaliber projectile, wherein the propulsion mechanism possesses a close-fitted zone in common with the projectile for subjecting a gas pressure-receiving surface to a load caused by the propellent gases; for the utilization in a recessed surface, of an incident flow of air subsequent to exiting from a weapon barrel; and a tensioning device for the assumption of tensile stresses, with the device being connected with a central carrier component adjoining the projectile body.

Abstract: A projectile intended to be fired from an electric rail gun having spaced current-carrying rails between which the projectile is accelerated when fired, includes an armature mounted on the projectile and arranged to make contact simultaneously with the rails to electrically connect the rails to one another. The armature is of annular configuration and rotates as the projectile is propelled through the electric rail gun.

Abstract: A missile having a kinetic energy warhead is disclosed comprising a two-tiered cutter element (12) of fragmenting material and a forward cutter ring (16). The arrangement is designed so that the forward cutter ring (16) penetrates the target outer skin while the two-tiered cutter element fragments and passes through the perforation made by the forward cutter ring.

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 gun barrel and projectile system utilizes a smooth central bore gun barrel fitted with a short rifled insert near the breech end. A projectile fitted with a perforated skirt and driving band about the base of the skirt are loaded into the gun barrel so that the driving band just engages the rifled insert, and the warhead portion of the projectile extends into the smooth bore portion of the barrel. Upon firing of a breech charge, gases from the breech charge are ducted to the space between the thin side walls of the projectile and the smooth central bore, thereby establishing a gas bearing. The gas bearing provides lateral support to the projectile and lubricates the projectile in the smooth central bore. Because of the lateral support the projectile receives from the gun barrel and the gas bearing, much less projectile structural strength is required to resist set-back forces. Mass fraction ratios of ordnance payload mass to structural mass in the projectile are on the order of ninety percent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sabot projectile is disclosed. The projectile core is used as the core pin of a mold and the sabot is molded directly onto and in alignment with the projectile core.

Abstract: An improved gun barrel is disclosed in which the breech chamber has a length (B) and diameter (D.sub.2) which are chosen relative to the axial spacing (a) between a forward guiding ring (8) and a rearward driving band (6) of the ammunition unit to be fired from the barrel and relative to the diameters (d.sub.1 and d.sub.2) of the guiding ring and driving band, so that the longitudinal axis of the ammunition unit and the bore of the barrel are substantially aligned before the forward guiding ring enters the rifled portion of the bore.

Abstract: A retainer for attaching a rotating band to a projectile during handling ramming of the projectile. The retainer cooperates with a groove on the projectile and is discarded during firing of the projectile by the force of the charge. An interlocking double split ring forms the retainer with an outer ring having an L-shaped cross-section and an inner ring shaped to fit into the L-shape of the outer ring. Each ring is provided with a split or opening to allow for expansion of the ring over the projectile and into the projectile groove. The outer ring split may be cut at an angle of less than 90.degree. to minimize deflection of the outer ring. The inner and outer rings are assembled with their splits together and then clocked 180.degree. apart. The inner ring is then locked to the outer ring by a locking notch. Hoop stress of the outer ring prevents the inner ring from deflecting at the split such that the retainer is forced to behave as a continuous single ring.