EP3314201B1 - Explosive smoke grenade - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mist explosive grenade that can be fired from a portable anti-tank weapon, in particular a recoil-free infantry weapon.

Mist explosive grenades each consist essentially of a grenade sleeve with a central fragmentation charge (explosive charge) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the grenade and a pyrotechnic active mass enclosing the fragmentation charge. As a rule, the known smoke grenades have an impact detonator on the front, which ignites the fragmentation charge when the grenade strikes the target area and releases the pyrotechnic active material, which consists, for example, of white phosphorus (cf. for example: Rheinmetall "Waffentechnisches Taschenbuch", 7th edition 1985, p. 491 ).

It is also known that smoke grenades are made using portable anti-tank weapons, e.g. Bazookas that can be fired. For example, the Internet article "FFV Carl Gustaf" (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/FFV_Carl_Gustaf) called up on May 2nd, 2012 states that smoke grenades are also available for the reactive armored rifle FFV Carl Gustav. However, the structure of such a smoke grenade is not known from the published prior art.

One problem with the use of smoke grenades that can be fired from portable anti-tank weapons is, among other things, that the amount of fog-producing active mass required to block the view in the visible but also in the infrared wavelength range is relatively small. It is also generally not possible with such weapons to bring several grenades into the target area at the same time in order to fog up a larger target area.

The DE 10 2011 107 960 B3 discloses ammunition for marking an air detonation point or a point of impact. Before or when the practice ammunition is fired, a time fuse arranged in the bottom of the ammunition is programmed in such a way that the charge is ignited before the projectile body hits a target. The resulting pressure ensures that the marking material container tears, so that the marking material is thrown outwards.

The EP 0 805 333 A2 describes a method for providing a dummy target with which both IR- and RF-guided as well as dual-mode-guided missiles are directed away from the actual target towards a dummy target. Such a sham targets are used by a thrower in a large number. After deployment, the active bodies with the active charges are ejected from the housing of a decoy.

The US 4,860,657 A relates to a projectile or projectile with throwing agent contained therein. The throwing agent can be a single or partially filling the inside of the throwing agent container, which is obtained by pressing pellets from a fog kit based on red phosphorus and granules from a fog kit based on red phosphorus while largely maintaining the integrity of the pellets and formation a porous structure comprising the individual pellets has been produced from the granulate. The result of the throwing agent is a combination of a compact based on phosphorus and corresponding flammable thin sheets, which serve to emit infrared radiation. Circular leaflets are preferably used, which have the shape of a circular sector with an angle of approximately 120 °.

The invention has for its object to provide a smoke grenade that can be fired from a portable anti-tank weapon, and makes it possible to fog an enemy position or an enemy vehicle as quickly and over a large area.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous configurations of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

From the DE 10 2012 010 378 A1 ammunition with active agents is known which are initiated and released at the same time and / or with a time delay. The setting is made using so-called delay rates. The different delay times can in turn be implemented in different delay elements. A pressure-controlled delay element is used in the DE 10 2012 014 150 A1 and a mechanically adjustable one in the DE 10 2012 014 149 B3 described.

In contrast, the present invention is essentially based on the idea of providing the mist explosive grenade with a time fuse instead of an impact detonator. This is programmable in such a way that the fragmentation charge is ignited in the immediate vicinity of the enemy position, but before the grenade has reached the ground, and releases the mist-producing active mass there. A range finder, preferably integrated in the weapon, determines the distance to the target. For example, the target is sighted manually and the range finder, e.g. a laser, preferably triggered manually. The expert knows alternatives. This measured value is then processed in the igniter electronics and defines the runtime until dismantling (airburst). By igniting the fog producing mass, approx. 6-8 m above the ground, a relatively extensive fog wall (line of sight) is created very quickly between the shooter and the target. The pyrotechnic active mass is formed by flares, which consist of a large number of film strips.

The pyrotechnic active mass is preferably arranged between the fragmentation charge and a shell shell. The film strips are each coated with an incendiary composition which contains red phosphorus (RP) in particular. The active mass is preferably composed of red phosphorus, potassium nitrate and a binder. The dimensions of the flares and the coating thicknesses of the corresponding incendiary devices are chosen in such a way that the fog generated by the active mass both blocks the view in the visible as well as in the infrared wavelength range. The dimensions of the flares are freely selectable and adaptable to every caliber. The layer thicknesses of the incendiary coats containing the red phosphorus should preferably be between 400 µm and 800 µm. Plastic films are preferably used as the carrier material. The shell shell or shell shell preferably consists of plastic or a thin-walled aluminum sheet.

The fragmentation charge is preferably arranged within a sieve tube made of a metallic material and surrounded by the flares, since the sieve tube is not to be dismantled. The sieve tube defines an even ignition of the flares. The wall thickness of the sieve tube is to be designed depending on the detonation load that the sieve tube must withstand.

The smoke screen can be further optimized by the fact that the flares used have different coating thicknesses of the fire charge. This creates a homogeneous fog curtain. The thinner coated flares can burn almost completely in the air due to their low weight and the associated low sinking speed. In contrast, the thicker flares coated with the incendiary device have a higher sinking rate and fall faster to the ground. These then create fog from the ground.

Fig.1

einen Längsschnitt durch den Wirkkörper einer schematisch dargestellten erfindungsgemäßen Sprenggranate und

Fig.2

eine schematische Ansicht der Verwendung einer derartigen Sprenggranate.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following exemplary embodiments explained with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section through the active body of a schematically shown explosive grenade according to the invention and

Fig. 2

a schematic view of the use of such an explosive grenade.

In Fig. 1 1 designates the active body of a smoke detonating grenade which can be fired from a bazooka. The mist explosive grenade 1 comprises a preferably detachable grenade sleeve 2, ideally made of plastic or thin-walled aluminum, with a sieve tube 4, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the mist explosive grenade 1 and in which a fragmentation charge 5 is located. For this purpose, the grenade sleeve 2 preferably has predetermined breaking points or the like (not shown in more detail).

A programmable timer 6 is arranged on the rear side behind the decomposer charge 5.

Between the fragmentation charge 5 and the grenade sleeve 2 there is a mist-producing pyrotechnic active mass 7. This consists of a multiplicity of film strips, each of which is coated with an incendiary agent that contains red phosphorus (flares) and preferably radially around the fragmentation charge 5, i.e. the sieve tube 4 (with holes) are arranged.

The flares of the active mass 7 have different coating thicknesses of the incendiary charge, the coating thicknesses preferably being between 400 μm and 800 μm.

In the following, with the help of Fig. 2 the mode of operation of the smoke detonating grenade 1:
For example, in order to avoid an enemy position 8 or make a change of position, the appropriate shooter first determines the distance to the enemy position 8 of the opponent from his own position 9 with the aid of a range finder (for example a fire control sight). The shooter then determines the distance at which the time detonator 6 of the smoke grenade 1 is to be detonated. This ignition point should usually be a few meters from the target and about 6-8 m above the ground. If the bazooka has a fire control computer, programming can take place via it. The timer 6 of the secondary explosive grenade 1 is then programmed accordingly, the straightening angle is determined and the weapon is aimed.

After firing the smoke detonating grenade 1, the time detonator 6 disassembles or activates it according to the time setting of the time detonator 6, as a result of which the flares are ignited and distributed. The collapsible projectile sleeve 2 is broken up into small pieces, while the flares fall to the ground burning and form a fog curtain and an infrared cover. The dimensions of the flares are chosen in such a way that they generate a view block in the visible as well as in the infrared wavelength range. The flares preferably have different layer thicknesses, which create a homogeneous curtain (smoke screen 10). The thinner coated flares burn almost completely in the air and sink more slowly to the ground than the thicker coated ones Flares. Due to their associated heavier dead weight, they fall to the ground faster, forming the fog in front of the ground. This combination of differently coated flares results in optimal smoke wall 10 and coverage, since the thinner coated form the upper area of the smoke wall 10 and the heavier ones form the lower area (near the bottom) of the smoke wall 10. After or with the generation of the cloud of clouds 10, the desired change of position can then take place, for example.

As already mentioned, the mist explosive grenade 1 can be fired or shot from a portable anti-tank weapon, in particular a recoil-free infantry weapon. The anti-tank weapon comprises a range finder for determining the distance to the target 8 and a processing and programming unit for programming the time fuse 6. The anti-tank weapon is portable.

Reference symbol list

1

Active body, smoke grenade

2nd

Garnet Shell (Garnet Shell)

3rd

Longitudinal axis

4th

Sieve tube

5

Disassembly charge

6

Timer

7

Active mass

8th

hostile position / target

9

own position

10th

Fog cloud / wall of fog

Claims (10)

1. Explosive smoke grenade (1) having the following features:

   a) the explosive smoke grenade (1) comprises a grenade casing (2) with a central bursting charge (5), which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) of the explosive smoke grenade (1), and a settable delayed-action detonator (6), which is provided for the activation of the bursting charge (5);

   b) a smoke-producing pyrotechnic active compound (7) is arranged between the bursting charge (5) and the grenade casing (2),
   characterized in that the smoke-producing pyrotechnic active compound (7) consists of an multiplicity of film strips which are each coated with an incendiary composition, containing red phosphorus, and form flares.
2. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the flares have different incendiary-composition coating thicknesses, the coating thicknesses being between 400 µm and 800 µm.
3. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier material used is in the form of plastic films.
4. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the grenade casing (2) consists of plastic or a thin-rolled aluminium sheet.
5. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bursting charge (5) is arranged within a screen tube (4), which is surrounded by the flares of the active compound (7).
6. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the screen tube (4) consists of metallic material.
7. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grenade casing (2) is fragmentable.
8. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the grenade casing (2) has predetermined breaking points.
9. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the incendiary composition consists of red phosphorus, potassium nitrate and a binder.
10. Explosive smoke grenade (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dimensions of the flares are selected such that they produce a visual barrier in both the visible and the infrared wavelength ranges.

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