Abstract: A system for propelling an air-driven projectile from an air gun includes an air gun with an elongate bore and a source of compressed air in fluid communication with the elongate bore. A projectile is disposed within the bore of the air gun, the projectile having an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the elongate bore.

Abstract: The present invention is an obturator for a guided projectile. The obturator allows for decoupling the projectile from the rotation of the rifled barrel by use of a static band, a front slip band, a rear slip band and a slip disk. The slip disk is disposed between the front and rear slip bands and allows the rear slip band to rotate independently from the front slip band.

Abstract: Process for forming a permanent join between two sections of fibrous material contained in a thermosetting resin matrix, said process comprising overlaying the two sections and subjecting the overlaid sections to ultrasonic welding to form a permanent join between the two sections, wherein there is no significant change in the sub-ambient Tg of the fibrous material contained in the thermosetting resin matrix in the region of the permanent join.

Abstract: A projectile that includes a body and a bearing surface that extends cylindrically across a portion of the body. A gas check is formed in the bearing surface that includes at least one relief band. The relief band extends annularly through the bearing surface. A profile of the relief band is bilaterally symmetrical about a central plane, and a shape of the profile on a side of the central plane is defined by a plurality of intersecting segments. The segments include a central segment portion located at a lowest point of the profile, an upper side segment located at a highest point of the profile, a rising segment that extends at an acute angle from the central segment portion toward the upper side segment, and a curved segment that connects the upper side segment and the rising segment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an elongate rifle bullet with a plurality of circumferential grooves having overmolded polymer therein defining embedded polymer rings. Embodiments of the invention include cartridges with propellant and such bullets. In one or more embodiments, the bullet has a body portion and a converging nose portion. The polymer rings have an outer surface that is flush with, that is, conforming to the outer surface of the body. The polymer may have be selected to have a favorable coefficient of friction with respect to the barrel. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the metal to metal contact between the bullet and the barrel is reduced while not diminishing the ballistic coefficient of the bullet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound-suppressing device that employs a porous micro-channel diffusion matrix surrounding a hollow core tube that acts to exponentially increase the surface area of the suppressor and allow combustion gasses to diffuse and exit the suppressor across the entire outer surface of the suppressor.

Abstract: The invention provides a bullet. The bullet comprises a bullet-shaped body of a first metal composition, which body has a hollow cavity defined therein along the axis of the bullet with an opening at the point of the bullet shaped body. The bullet further comprises a plunger of a second composition, preferably metal, which metal is harder than the first metal, and shaped generally complementary to the hollow cavity. Hollow empty cavities may preferably be provided between the plunger and the hollow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projectile (6) provided with a slipping rotating band (1) which is designed for firing from a weapon system with a rifled barrel. The rotating band (1) comprises an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3) that seals against the barrel. The outer ring is fitted on the outer surface of the inner ring and the inner ring is slippably fitted on the projectile. The rotating band (1) is configured to remain fitted on the projectile (6) from launcher to target by virtue of the fact that the inner ring (2) is made of fibre-reinforced polymer composite or particle-reinforced polymer composite, or fibre-reinforced metal matrix composite or particle-reinforced metal matrix composite. The invention also relates to a slipping rotating band (1) and to a method for producing a slipping rotating band (1) in which the outer ring (3) is affixed to the inner ring (2).

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projectile (6) provided with a slipping rotating band (1) which is designed for firing from a weapon system with a rifled barrel. The rotating band (1) comprises an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3) that seals against the barrel. The outer ring is fitted on the outer surface of the inner ring and the inner ring is slippably fitted on the projectile. The rotating band (1) is configured to remain fitted on the projectile (6) from launcher to target by virtue of the fact that the inner ring (2) is made of fibre-reinforced polymer composite or particle-reinforced polymer composite, or fibre-reinforced metal matrix composite or particle-reinforced metal matrix composite. The invention also relates to a slipping rotating band (1) and to a method for producing a slipping rotating band (1) in which the outer ring (3) is affixed to the inner ring (2).

Abstract: A projectile includes a leading end formed by a tip having an ogive configuration, a trailing end formed by a frusto-conical base, and a cylindrical mid-section interconnecting the tip and the base. A first annular shoulder is formed where the tip meets the cylindrical mid-section and a second annular shoulder is formed where the mid-section meets the base. A metallic band abuts the second annular shoulder and a third annular shoulder is formed where the metallic band meets the cylindrical mid-section. A trailing end of a thermoset polymer guide band abuts the third annular shoulder and a leading end abuts the first annular shoulder. The thermoset polymer guide band conforms to the shape and size of the cylindrical mid-section. The thermoset polymer guide band may be impregnated with barrel treatment chemicals so that the barrel is cleaned and lubricated when the projectile is fired.

Abstract: A projectile includes a leading end formed by a tip having an ogive configuration, a trailing end formed by a frusto-conical base, and a cylindrical mid-section interconnecting the tip and the base. A first annular shoulder is formed where the tip meets the cylindrical mid-section and a second annular shoulder is formed where the mid-section meets the base. A metallic band abuts the second annular shoulder and a third annular shoulder is formed where the metallic band meets the cylindrical mid-section. A trailing end of a thermoset polymer guide band abuts the third annular shoulder and a leading end abuts the first annular shoulder. The thermoset polymer guide band conforms to the shape and size of the cylindrical mid-section. The thermoset polymer guide band may be impregnated with barrel treatment chemicals so that the barrel is cleaned and lubricated when the projectile is fired.

Abstract: A projectile (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12) with a first (leading) end (14) and a second trailing axially opposed end (16). An internal cavity (18) is formed between the ends (14 and 16) and holds a volume of propellant material (22). The first end (14) is closed by a nose (20) that is fixed to the body (12). The end (14) is sealed with a base seal (26) that seats a primer (24) for igniting the propellant (22). The primer (24) is located inboard of the second end (16) and the base seal (26) to reduce the likelihood of accidental activation. Seals (30) are formed about the body (12) for maintaining gas pressure of deflagrating propellant. The seals (30) may be formed integrally with the body (12) or separately from the body (12) and seated in respective grooves (40) formed circumferentially about the body (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a self-aligning device for aiding the engagement of a munition into a rifled gun barrel on loading of the munition, absent the use of a driving band, as, for example, in the case of a munition which is fitted with aerodynamic tail fins. The device comprises at least one annular ring to surround the munition, and which, if desired, can be seated on a surface of the munition which allows the ring(s) to rotate. One or more of the rings has a number of elements which are capable of lying within the outline of the ring or rings to allow the munition to be readily loaded into a gun barrel but which can take the form of projections extending radially outwards from the ring(s) when they become coincident with the internal rifling of the gun barrel on further movement of the munition along with barrel or when the munition is rotated. The projections then engage in the rifling grooves and provide a sealing effect.

Abstract: A grenade dispensing mechanism for non-spin or low spin dual purpose improved conventional munition launched from inside a projectile. At a pre-determined point along the trajectory, the projectile time fuze which is set at the gun functions to provide initiation output to the payload expulsion charge assembly. The payload expulsion charge assembly contains a propellant which when ignited, produces a gas pressure acting on a pusher plate which acts as a piston. The gas pressure increases with time until the forces of the gas pressure acting on the pusher plate through the grenade payload to the base/tail assembly are sufficient to shear the thread attachment of the base assembly to the projectile body section. An obturator band serves to seal the expulsion gas pressures to prevent excessive gas blow-by as the payload canister assembly travels through the rifled projectile body section.

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 body having a groove-shaped recess (2), in which a guide band (3) is disposed. To permit use of a relatively wide guide band (3), while preventing the band from being destroyed as the projectile body (1) passes through the gun barrel, and preventing significant copper-plating of the barrel, the guide band (3) is assembled from two partial guide bands (5, 6), with the relatively narrow, first partial band (5), which faces the base (7) of the projectile, comprising copper or a copper alloy and providing a seal against the propellant gases acting on the projectile rear under high pressure. The second, considerably wider partial guide band (6) essentially comprises plastic, and includes at least one hollow space (11), which lends it adequate deformation reserves with respect to the high surface pressure acting on this partial guide band (6) when the projectile body (1) passes through the barrel.

Abstract: A full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region (5) and an ogival projectile tip (7). To improve the stabilization of the projectile (1) inside a gun barrel (2) in a simple manner, and therefore improve the intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy over those of comparable projectiles, a guide ring (8), which is segmented in the circumferential direction, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of a gun barrel (2) of the same caliber, is secured to the projectile tip (7) such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments (9) detach from the projectile (1) in the gun barrel (2) when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments (9) are pushed toward the projectile (1), axially relative to the cylindrical guide region (5), by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall (18) of the gun barrel (2) and against the projectile (1).

Abstract: A projectile body having a groove-shaped recess (2), in which a guide band (3) is disposed. To permit use of a relatively wide guide band (3), while preventing the band from being destroyed as the projectile body (1) passes through the gun barrel, and preventing significant copper-plating of the barrel, the guide band (3) is assembled from two partial guide bands (5, 6), with the relatively narrow, first partial band (5), which faces the base (7) of the projectile, comprising copper or a copper alloy and providing a seal against the propellant gases acting on the projectile rear under high pressure. The second, considerably wider partial guide band (6) essentially comprises plastic, and includes at least one hollow space (11), which lends it adequate deformation reserves with respect to the high surface pressure acting on this partial guide band (6) when the projectile body (1) passes through the barrel.

Abstract: A gas check member for use in muzzle-loading firearms is provided. The invented gas check is designed to conveniently, frictionally attach rearward of a sub-caliber bullet to maximize the efficiency of such firearms. The diameter of the gas check preferably exceeds that of the bore slightly to prevent scoring and deformation of the bullet during loading, to hold the projectile in place within the barrel and to prevent moisture from contacting the powder when in place. Upon firing, the gas check minimizes the escape of propellant gases around the projectile and imparts a large, uniformly distributed forward thrust to the bullet to maximize the ballistic qualities of the shot. The design incorporates an unstable connection between inner and outer members that, upon firing, fractures to facilitate quick and reliable detachment of the outer member from the bullet. Detachment occurs to prevent interference with the trajectory of the bullet upon exit from the barrel.

Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The obturator includes an annular ring that is fabricated from a high-temperature resistant composite material. The annular ring has an inner surface that is in contact with the projectile. In addition, when the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, an outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. When the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, the radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between an outer surface of the projectile and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point. This configuration restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile as the projectile is fired from the gun barrel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a multiple-component projectile which remains intact after leaving the barrel of a gun. The projectile comprises a core which includes a leading tip and a cylindrical shaft section which extends aft of the tip. A sabot sleeve surrounds the cylindrical shaft section and has a sufficient diameter to engage the rifling on the interior of a gun barrel. A rear cap connects to the aft end of the shaft section and secures the sabot sleeve to the shaft and tip. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise an annular lip and slot on the leading tip configured to receive the leading edge of the sabot sleeve and prevent it from separating from the core while traveling through the gun barrel and thereafter. The rear cap may also comprise an annular lip and slot configured to receive the trailing edge of the sabot sleeve and further lock the sleeve to the core thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to the core.

Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The projectile has a mid-body annular groove that includes a shaped surface. The obturator includes an annular ring having an inner surface in contact with the shaped surface of the annular groove of the projectile. The annular ring further includes an outer surface. When the projectile is in the gun barrel, the outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. The radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between the shaped surface of the annular groove and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point when the projectile is positioned in the barrel. This feature restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile when the projectile is launched from the gun barrel.

Abstract: A spin-stabilized projectile includes a projectile body having a trailing end; a first circumferential groove provided in the projectile body; and a second circumferential groove provided in the projectile body between the first circumferential groove and the trailing end of the projectile body. A rotating band is received in the first circumferential groove and a sealing ring is received in the second circumferential groove. The scaling ring has a radial and an axial clearance of between 0.5 and 1 mm from the walls of the second groove.

Abstract: A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable or explodable. The simulator is a combination of an explosive material with an inert material, either in a matrix or as a coating, where the explosive has a high surface ratio but small volume ratio. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs, calibrating analytical instruments which are sensitive to either vapor or elemental composition, or other applications where the hazards associated with explosives is undesirable but where chemical and/or elemental equivalence is required. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques. A first method involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and a second method involves coating inert substrates with thin layers of explosive.

Abstract: A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs and calibrating sensitive analytical instruments. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques, a first involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and the second involves coating inert beads with thin layers of explosive molecules.

Abstract: A projectile for a railgun that uses a hybrid armature and provides a seed block around part of the outer surface of the projectile to seed the hybrid plasma brush. In addition, the hybrid armature is continuously vaporized to replenish plasma in a plasma armature to provide a tandem armature and provides a unique ridge and groove to reduce plasama blowby.

Abstract: The invention is a jacketed projectile for a round of ammunition wherein the jacket is deformed at least partially elastically when the projectile is driven through the barrel of a gun, the core of the projectile remaining undeformed.

Abstract: To provide a complete seal in the region of the rifling, particularly in worn-out gun barrels firing spin stabilized carrier projectiles provided with a metal guide or driving band and a thin-walled projectile connected to a projectile base and having a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.05 times the caliber of the gun barrel and to reduce the ramming deceleration and the radial pressure stresses on the projectile shell during passage through the gun barrel, a plastic ram ring is disposed on the outer surface of the projectile shell in front of the metal guide band and in a region of the shell that is not supported radially by the projectile base.

Abstract: An obturating band of the despun variety is manufactured within the channel of a projectile assembly. A split ring polymer pre-band is clamped around the band seat of the projectile assembly and the free ends are welded together to form a continuous ring around the diameter of the projectile assembly within the encircling channel. One free end includes a male connector and the other free end includes an undersized female receptacle. Upon exposure to ultrasonic energy, the free ends are welded together at a scarf joint. A calculated amount of extra material which is present in the male connector is allows the joint to weld itself. The joining surfaces are positioned on indented sections of the free ends such that the resulting obturating band does not bulge at the joint. The obturating band is constructed to slip against the band seat and, therefore, is allowed to rotate at a rate independent of the underlying projectile.

Abstract: A fin-stabilized projectile for weapons selectively possessing either a smooth, and in particular, a rifled weapon barrel, which possesses a discardable thrust ring constituted of segments arranged on the central form-fitted component, and of a through-sliding guide band, and which is provided at the tail end of the projectile with a multi-finned stabilizing guidance mechanism which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the projectile.

Abstract: A projectile which is fireable in a spin-stabilized manner from a weapon barrel or launch tube through the action of the gas pressure generated by a propellant charge, and which projectile is guidable during flight. The projectile is equipped in the rearward region of its tail-end structure, and preferably behind the control surfaces, with a type of propulsion cage so as to, through the intermediary of the gas pressure generated by the propellant charge, faciliate a ballistic firing of the projectile from a weapon barrel or launch tube. The projectile is equipped with a sealing ring, which with a gliding frictional contact, coaxially encompasses an axially-limited region of the tail-end structure of the projectile.

Abstract: An ammunition round has a plastic molded driving band on a projectile. The driving band is mechanically attached to the projectile by opposing curved hooks bent toward one another and defining a restraining area therebetween. The seating area for the driving band has a plurality of pairs of such hooks circumferentially and longitudinally displaced from one another.

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: Ever greater demands in terms of mechanical strength and gas tightness are being made on the connection between the rear part and the casing of a sabot for a projectile. To improve this connection a circumferential groove is provided in the rear part of the sabot into which protrudes a rotating band of the sabot casing which band contacts the barrel rifling to spin or rotate the projectile. The circumferential groove and the rotating band anchored therein exhibit a dovetailed cross-section which prevents the rotating band from slipping out of the circumferential groove. The rotating band is linked to the casing via a predetermined break point.

Abstract: A projectile particularly for use in rapid fire weapons and high performance guns comprises a hollow projectile body having an exterior surface with an annular groove therearound and with a plurality of openings formed in the groove at spaced circumferential locations. A rotating band is positioned in the groove and secured against displacement caused by centrifugal and accelerating forces, portions of the band which extend through the openings. The band is advantageously injection molded directly in the groove so that portions thereof form into the openings and extend through the openings and form a closed ring on the interior of the shell of the projectile body.

Abstract: A two-piece despin obturator mounted on a forwardly inclined obturator ramp on the projectile sidewall has a ring-shaped body of nylon-6 and a wiper band formed from Plascon nylon. The two-piece design is relatively immune to damage in the handling and loading process but yet the wiper band enhances low pressure sealing while the ring, driven up the inclined ramp in the firing process, engages the lands of the spiraled rifling. The rotational velocity imparted to the ring is partially coupled as the inner surface of the ring rotates on the obturator mount of the projectile.

Abstract: A rotating band of projectiles is made of a compound sleeve bearing material. The compound material comprises a carrier material and a porous slide layer applied thereto and having pores filled with a polytetrafluoroethylene mixture. The outer surface of the slide layer is coated with a cover layer of a polytetrafluoroethylene mixture. The rotating band is held in place in the groove by a latching connection.

Abstract: A projectile particularly for automatic firearms in high performance machine guns comprises a cylindrical projectile body which has an annular groove around its circumference with rib portions extending radially outwardly of the bottom of the groove which are of radial extent no greater than the outer surface of the projectile body. The groove has end walls which are substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of the body. A plastic rotating band has its inner periphery anchored in the groove with the rib portions extending to receiving recesses or grooves of the band. The ribs are advantageously radially extending elements which have their outer ends bent in axial directions and they are arranged so that there are portions of the groove of the body on each side thereof. In accordance with the method of manufacturing a projectile body, a form tool is used to effect the recessing of the projectile body or jacket to produce the intermediate ribs which are of substantially rectangular cross section.

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: A metallic projectile body with a plastic rotating band comprising a band seat zone on such projectile body coated with a sprayed metallic coating, and a polymer molded over said sprayed metallic coating to form a plastic rotating band.

Abstract: A method of bonding a thermoplastic rotating band onto a projectile including the steps of designating, e.g., machining, a band seat zone onto a metallic, e.g., steel, projectile body, coating the band seat zone with a sprayed metallic coating, and applying a polymer in liquid form around said zone and to said sprayed metallic coating to form a plastic rotating band.

Abstract: An integrally molded laminated driving band for artillery shells is formed of radially alternating, circumferentially extending layers of fabric and rubber. The driving band is made by coating a fabric strip with uncured rubber, wrapping the coated strip to form an annular preform, and molding and curing the preform to form an integrally molded band. Various means are provided for assembling the driving band in an artillery shell.

Abstract: An improved rotating band for a projectile is disclosed. The rotating band omprises a plastic sleeve, two micarta inserts, and a retainer ring. One micarta insert, located in the middle of the plastic sleeve, contains grooves which increase the friction coefficient and elasticity of the rotating band. The second micarta insert, located further forward, provides additional barrel contact area. These improved characteristics enable the projectile to be retained in a hot gun when elevated or rammed at any velocity. A retainer ring is molded onto the aft end of the plastic sleeve to secure the invention to the projectile. The rotating band also acts as a seal and spins the projectile as it moves through the gun barrel. The rotating band disintegrates after the projectile exits the gun barrel.