CA2637872A1

CA2637872A1 - Target marking munition

Info

Publication number: CA2637872A1
Application number: CA 2637872
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ferdinand Panknin; Andreas Blache; Bernd Michael Bippes; Michael Koepf
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-16
Publication date: 2009-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-16
Also published as: DK2031342T3; DE102007034546A1; EP2031342A1; CA2637872C; HRP20170842T1; PL2031342T3; SI2031342T1; EP2031342B1

Abstract

In order to mark the point at which a projectile (10, 11) strikes a target, a container (3) that holds an agent to mark the target is incorporated into the ogive area of the projectile (10, 11). When the projectile (10, 11) strikes the target, the container (3) is broken so that the marking agent can escape through holes (2) made in the ogive (4) or the rear section. In order that the marking agent can escape in this form, an over-pressure is generated within the projectile (10, 11). This can be done by a gas cartridge (7) with a release mechanism (8) or by a plunger (9).

Description

Target Marking Munition The present invention relates to a target marking munition, in particular for mortars and artillery.

Because of the use of training munitions that mark targets by pyrotechnic means (hot, burning particles) or if live munitions such as high explosive, smoke, and illuminating munitions, are used, there is a danger that fires, in particular ground fires, will be started. So-called forest fires in the area also play a role in such situations.

In order to conduct exercises in areas of this kind, inert projectiles that have no terminal effect are used. This is problematic, particularly in the case of target practice that involve observers in the area of the target, since it is impossible or extremely difficult to locate the point of impact of the projectile. Thus it is made difficult for the observer to report back to the weapon crew and enable them to aim the weapon.

DE 10 2005 053 Al describes a projectile that marks the point of impact. This training projectile has a hollow ogive that accommodates a first, chemically inactive and a second, chemically active marking agent. The first marking agent generates a colour effect, and the second marking agent generates a light effect. The ogive itself must burst in order for this to happen.

It is the objective of the present invention to create a munition that marks the point of impact in a simple manner by temporary visual marking.

This objective has been achieved by the features described in Patent Claim 1.
Advantageous configurations are set out in the secondary Claims.

The present invention is based on the idea that in order to mark the point of impact of a projectile at a target, a container (3) is incorporated in the ogive area of the I

projectile. This container holds an agent to mark the target. When the projectile strikes the target, the container is broken so that the agent that marks the target can escape through holes in the ogive or in the rear of the projectile. In order that it can escape in this form, an over-pressure is generated within the projectile. This pressure can be generated by a gas cartridge with a release mechanism, or by a plunger or the like.

The body of the projectile incorporates a plunger or a gas cartridge that generates internal pressure when the projectile impacts and a liquid that is preferably luminescent is expelled through holes. This liquid is characterized in that it can be used for marking targets by day or by night.

The plunger is displaced either by the gas cartridge or mechanically by deformation (preferably defined), axially to the build-up of the internal pressure. The gas cartridge is punctured by a release mechanism that is, in its turn, punctured directly when the projectile impacts or by a detonator. The container that holds the liquid releases the liquid through holes in the ogive or in the base of the projectile so as to mark the target. The mass, which is preferably luminescent, is released without pyrotechnic means or damage to the body of the projectile with the fragmentation.
The defined deformation of the plunger can be effected by a detonator that is incorporated in the base of the projectile.

The advantages are that there is no more danger of fires being started and that the visibility of the wreath-like point of impact is good in both daylight and in darkness, without the need to generate colour marking and a light effect. Furthermore, fragmentation of the ogive is not necessary. The projectile is simple and safe to handle and is the ballistic equivalent of existing projectiles.

The present invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments shown in the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show the following:

Figure 1: a projectile with a gas cartridge, in cross section;
Figure 2: a projectile with a plunger, in cross section.

Figure 1 shows a projectile 10, in this instance a training mortar bomb, with a gas cartridge 7 and release mechanism 8 for the cartridge 7 in a stylized cross section. A
detonator bears the number 1. One hole, or preferably a plurality of holes, is numbered 2, and a container is numbered 3. In this case, the container 3 holds a liquid. This is enclosed by an ogive 4 that protects the complete system and also accommodates an inert mass 5 that serves to ensure ballistic equivalence.
Within the rear section 6, as in a mortar bomb, there are various holes through which a propellant charge (not shown in detail herein) is ignited.

It is preferred that the holes 2 be spaced equidistantly around the periphery of the ogive 4 or in the rear section of the projectile.

Figure 2 shows another projectile 11 that is also a practice mortar bomb that instead of the gas cartridge 7 and release mechanism 8 incorporates a plunger 9. These function as follows:

When the projectile 10 or 11 impacts, the shock generated by the impact causes the gas cartridge 7 with the release mechanism to be punctured or the plunger to be moved. The liquid container 3 is destroyed by the over-pressure within the projectile 10, 11. The liquid contained therein, which is preferably luminescent, mixes as it leaves the ogive 4 through the holes 2. As a result of this, the target within the target area is marked for all practical purposes simultaneously as the projectile 10, 11 impacts and is thereby indicated to an observer (not shown herein).
A detonator is incorporated in the rear area of the ogive 4 so as to assist the function of the gas cartridge 7 or the plunger 9.

Claims

1. Projectile (10, 11), in particular a training projectile, with a marking agent for marking the point of impact of the projectile (10, 11) on a target, at least one container (3) being incorporated in the ogive area of the projectile (10, 11), said container (3) accommodating at least one agent for marking the target, said container (3) being destroyed when the projectile (10, 11) strikes the target, characterized in that the marking agent escapes through holes (2) made in the ogive (4) or in the rear section, to which end an over-pressure is generated within the projectile (10, 11).

2. Projectile as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that the marking agent is a liquid or a powder.

3. Projectile as defined in Claim 2, characterized in that the liquid is a luminescent liquid.

4. Projectile as defined in one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container (3) is destroyed by a gas cartridge (7) with a release mechanism (8) that precedes it, said gas cartridge (7) generating the over-pressure.

5. Projectile as defined in one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container (3) is destroyed by a preceding plunger (9), said plunger (9) generating the over-pressure.

6. Projectile as defined in one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a detonator (1) is incorporated in the tip of the ogive (4).