DE102020116589A1 - Penetrator, use of a penetrator and bullet - Google Patents

Abstract

Penetrator (1) for a projectile with a tail unit, in particular a sub-caliber kinetic energy projectile, comprising a one-piece main body (10) and a partial body (11) placed on the main body (10), characterized in that the main body (10) has at least one front area (12) and a rear area (13), the rear area (17) of the main body being solid and a bore (13) being formed in the front area (12), the bore (13) having at least a first area (131) and a second region (132), the first region (131) receiving the attached part body (11) and the second region (132) extending rearwardly behind the attached part body (11).

Description

The invention relates to a penetrator for a projectile with a tail unit, in particular a sub-caliber balancing projectile, comprising a one-piece solid main body and an attached partial body.

Sub-caliber penetrators are used to combat armored targets, such as battle tanks. An example of this type of massive penetrator is the DM53 / DM63 series bullet from Rheinmetall.

Various approaches to increasing the performance of penetrators have already been proposed in the past. It has been shown that the terminal ballistic performance of a penetrator not only depends on the geometry of the tip of the penetrator, but is also influenced by the geometry of the stern.

If a penetrator hits a target, it is severely eroded from the tip in the target. A reactive target interacts with a pre-target, such as the first plate with the tip of the penetrator. Against this background, there were various approaches to take this into account.

From the document EP 2 372 295 B1 a penetrator with a stepped profile is known which has a bore inside which extends along the two stepped parts of the penetrator, an explosive charge being arranged inside the bore and the wall of the penetrator being of essentially the same thickness over this area. This penetrator is not suitable for fighting a battle tank with reactive armor, but is used to penetrate a thin wall and cause an explosion with the greatest possible fragmentation effect. This is because the penetrator does not have a massive main body.

The document DE 40 22 821 A1 discloses a sub-caliber bullet which has a large length to diameter ratio and is designed to penetrate targets with multiple armor. To ensure this, a predetermined breaking point is arranged in the area of the tip so that the tip can break off. With this type of projectile, multi-plate targets are to be fought.

From the document DE 10 2015 117 018 A1 a multi-part penetrator is known which has an interface to which different penetrator tips can be attached. The different penetrator tips are matched to the respective use.

The document EP 2 597 416 A2 also discloses a multi-part penetrator with an attached penetrator tip.

In the case of the previous penetrators, a relatively large amount of mass is attributable to the tip or the attached elements of the penetrators. This leads to the fact that, for a given total mass of the penetrator, a relatively large amount of terminal ballistically effective weight is lost, since this does not apply to the attached elements and thus the mass of the penetrator, which is still available to fight the main target, decreases. This reduces the penetrator's penetration power in the main target.

In addition, possibilities have already been sought in the past to provide penetrators which are especially suitable for combating multi-plate targets, such as, for example, in the previously unpublished application DE 10 2019 113 325.4 . The concept proposed there provides for the tip of the penetrator to be made thinner and in this way to achieve a conservative weight optimization of the tip of the penetrator.

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of creating a penetrator which is designed to penetrate a target with reactive pre-armor.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements and developments are the subject of the subclaims.

According to the invention, a penetrator for a projectile with a tail unit, in particular a sub-caliber balancing projectile, is provided. The penetrator comprises a one-piece main body and a partial body placed on the main body. The main body has at least a front area and a rear area. The rear area of the main body is solid and a bore is formed in the front area. The bore includes at least a first area and a second area. The first area receives the attached partial body and the second area extends behind the attached partial body to the rear. In other words, the second area extends. behind the first area for receiving the attached part of the body to the rear.

Furthermore, a use of such a penetrator or a penetrator further developed as described below for combating an armored target with reactive armor, in particular a tank with reactive armor, is provided according to the invention.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a projectile with a sabot and a tail unit comprising such penetrator or a penetrator further developed as described below is provided.

The partial body placed on the main body can be a head. Furthermore, the attached partial body can have a point.

The partial body placed on the main body, in particular its tip, can be aerodynamically optimized.

As in the unpublished German patent application No. 10 2020 104 217.5 be associated with the penetrator, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

A ballistically effective hard core can also be provided in the rear of the projectile, as described in the unpublished German patent application no. 10 2019 126 604.1 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A one-piece main body in the context of the invention means that the main body is not composed of different components, but rather it is a one-piece element.

If the penetrator hits the pre-module, then in this first phase of penetration not a particularly large amount of penetrator material is required, since the pre-module is not very thick. Consequently, the front area of the main body of the penetrator according to the invention can be made with a bore.

The bore has two areas, the first area of the bore being designed to receive the attached partial body. The second area extends behind the attached partial body and in particular behind the first area for receiving the attached partial body. The second area can remain empty or be filled with a material. The material can be present as an additional element, for example.

Because the second area can remain empty or can be filled with a different material, the second area of the bore is designed to adjust the center of gravity of the main body and thus of the penetrator.

When fighting a target with a reactive pre-module, the front area of the main body only serves to initiate the explosive charges of the pre-module.

Since the front area of the main body has a bore, the mass saved as a result can either be used to enlarge the diameter of the rear area of the main body or the rear area of the main body can be lengthened. The aim is for the rear area of the main body to develop the greatest possible penetration force in the main target.

Due to the hole in the main body of the penetrator, the entire projectile is lighter and the projectile can hit the target at a higher speed with the same firing energy.

In addition, the hole in the main body in the front part of the main body weakens the flexural rigidity of the main body in this area. As a result, in the further course of the penetration, a deliberate break-off of the front part of the main body on the reactive pre-module can take place.

After the front area of the main body together with the attached partial body has been broken off, the remaining rear area of the penetrator is decoupled from the rear side of a reactive pre-module. As a result, the main body of the penetrator is less distracted and the terminal ballistic performance in the subsequent main target is significantly increased.

The inventive design of the penetrator makes it possible to attack targets with reactive armor.

It is also advantageous that the front part of the main body can be optimally adapted to the reactive targets to be combated.

The penetrator is preferably used to fight an armored target, in particular a tank with reactive armor.

The invention concerns the optimized front area of the penetrator. The invention is based on the principle of a mass reduction in the front area of the penetrator. The operating principle (mass reduction in the front penetrator area) is obscured by the drilling and is no longer visible from the outside. The invention is a weight- and geometry-optimized penetrator for combating heavy, reactive protective systems. The bore is dimensioned in such a way that the explosive film of the ERA pre-module is initiated. The length of the front area of the penetrator should be designed in such a way that perforation of the first plate of the pre-module of the target is ensured.

The rear area of the penetrator has a length that is sufficient for the perforation of the main module.

In a further development of the penetrator, a side wall can be formed in the front area of the main body.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the side wall extends at least over the first region, preferably over the first region of the bore and the second region of the bore.

The side wall can be designed essentially as a hollow cylinder.

Both the inner wall and the outer wall of the side wall can have an essentially hollow-cylindrical contour.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the main body of the penetrator has an essentially cylindrical outer contour.

Surprisingly, the inventors have found that an essentially cylindrical outer shape of the penetrator with the attached partial body is aerodynamically more favorable than a stepped shape of a penetrator.

“Essentially cylindrical outer contour” of the main body in the context of the invention means that the front area and the rear area of the main body have a largely cylindrical shape. In particular, the rear area of the main body can, however, also have a thread or groove which is / are formed on or in it in order to attach a sabot to the main body of the penetrator.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the first region of the bore has an internal thread to accommodate the attached partial body and the attached partial body has an external thread. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the attached partial body to be connected to the main body by means of a press fit.

In an embodiment of the bore, it can be provided that the bore is designed as a blind bore.

The drilling can be done up to the middle of the penetrator. The depth of the hole depends on the ERA target plates.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the front area is designed like a bowl.

In one embodiment, the front area of the main body can be designed with a reduced mass compared to the rear area, without this being apparent from the outer contour of the penetrator.

This has the advantage that the penetrator cannot be seen from the outside to see how it works. Thus, the mode of action of the penetrator according to the invention remains hidden from those people who are not familiar with the internal structure of the penetrator.

Reduced mass within the meaning of the invention means that a comparison volume (e.g. a 2 cm thick pane) in the front area has a lower mass than a comparison volume (e.g. a 2 cm thick pane) in the rear area, i.e. has a lower density.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that the front area is designed to be kink-resistant in such a way that it can penetrate with the attached partial body into a preliminary target, in particular a front plate of reactive armor.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the second region of the bore forms a cavity when the partial body is attached, which cavity is unfilled. In this case the second area remains empty.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the second area of the bore forms a cavity when the partial body is attached, which is filled with a material that has a lower density than the material of the rear area of the main body. The material in the second area of the bore can be designed as a separate component. This component can be pressed into the second area of the bore or held in position by the attached part of the body. In addition, the component can be connected to the attached partial body and can be designed so that it can be assembled with it.

As a result, the flexural rigidity of the main body and in particular of the front area of the main body can be improved, while at the same time the weight of the front area of the main body can be reduced. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the main body can be set through the choice of the material or through the choice of the density of the material in the second region of the bore and the amount of material in the second region of the bore.

The material of the main body can be tungsten heavy metal, steel, titanium and / or aluminum. In particular, sintered tungsten heavy metal can be used as the material.

Material in the second area of the bore can be tungsten heavy metal, steel, titanium and / or aluminum. In particular, a sintered tungsten heavy metal can be used as the material, it being possible for this to have a lower density than a sintered tungsten heavy metal of the main body

Due to the material in the second area of the bore, the flexural rigidity of the attached partial body can be increased when the penetrator hits the ERA plate. This results in further technical variation possibilities.

The attached part of the body can be made of tungsten heavy metal, steel, titanium and / or aluminum. The attached partial body can also be made of sintered tungsten heavy metal as a material.

In a further development of the bore, it can also be provided that the bore extends in the longitudinal axis direction of the main body.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the length ratio of the rear area to the front area is in a range from 10 to 1.5, preferably 8 to 2, in particular 6 to 3.

The length of the front, essentially cylindrical part of the main body correlates with the thickness of the first plate of a reactive pre-module.

The penetrator according to the invention offers an improved mass insert due to the relatively long and relatively light front part of the main body and the relatively long and heavy rear part of the main body.

In an embodiment of the penetrator it can also be provided that the length l of the front area according to the formula I ≥ 2 * b / cos ( α ) determined, where b is the thickness of a first plate of a sub-target and α is the angle of inclination of a surface normal of the first plate of the preliminary target with respect to a longitudinal axis of the penetrator.

The thickness and angle of the plates of a preliminary target of reactive armor can be assumed to be known, since these can also be determined with sufficient accuracy by enemy tanks, for example by evaluating recordings or on the basis of other findings.

The pre-target is preferably a reactive pre-target, such as reactive armor.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the front area of the main body has higher strength values and / or a higher hardness than the rear area of the main body.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the wall thickness of the front area, in particular the side wall, is at least 30% of the outer radius of the front area, in particular 40% to 50% of the outer radius of the front area.

The wall thickness of the penetrator in the front area is dimensioned in such a way that the first plate of the ERA module is penetrated and the explosive can be initiated.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the main body is formed from a tungsten heavy metal.

Tungsten heavy metals are defined, for example, in the material standard ASTM B777-07.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a transition area is formed between the front area and the rear area of the main body, which has the predetermined breaking point.

Likewise, however, the transition area can also be designed in such a way that it influences the fracture behavior of the main body through its design.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that the predetermined breaking point is designed as a structural notch.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the predetermined breaking point is realized in that the transition area is formed from a material with a lower strength and / or a higher brittleness than the front area and / or the rear area of the main body.

In an advantageous further development, the transition area can be made from a material that has a strength that is 30% lower than that of a base material of the main body.

The base material of the main body can have a strength of σ _H = 1700MPa and the transition area a strength of σ _Ue = 1700MPa.

In an embodiment of the penetrator it can be provided that the predetermined breaking point is realized in that the transition area has an increased brittleness achieved by mechanical surface treatment.

Furthermore, it is possible that the transition area can be influenced by a special heat treatment, so that this area is brittle and thus reacts more sensitively to tension than the rest of the main body.

Furthermore, the attached partial body can be formed from the same material as the main body of the penetrator or from a different material, so that triggering of the reactive pre-module is ensured.

The invention is to be explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Penetrators;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Penetrators;
• 3 eine schematische vergrößerte Darstellung des vorderen Bereichs des Hauptkörpers gemäß der ersten und der zweiten Ausführungsformen;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Penetrators und einer ersten Platte eines Vorziels.

It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a penetrator according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a penetrator according to the invention;
• 3 a schematic enlarged view of the front area of the main body according to the first and second embodiments;
• 4th a schematic representation of a penetrator according to the invention and a first plate of a pre-target.

1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a penetrator according to the invention 1 .

The penetrator 1 is designed for a projectile with a tail unit, in particular a sub-caliber balancing projectile.

The penetrator comprises an integral main body 10 and one on the main body 10 attached partial body 11th . The main body 10 has at least one front area 12th and a rear area 13th on.

In the case of the partial body placed on the main body 11th it can be a head. Furthermore, the attached partial body can have a point

The rear area 17th of the main body 10 is solid and in the front area 12th is a hole 13th educated. The hole 13th comprises at least a first area 131 and a second area 132 .

The first area 131 takes the attached part of the body 11th on. The second area 132 extends behind the attached part of the body 11th , preferably extends rearward in the longitudinal axis direction.

In the front area 12th of the main body 10 is a, in particular essentially hollow cylindrical, side wall 14th educated.

The side wall 14th extends at least over the first area 131 , preferably over the first area 131 and second area 132 extends.

To accommodate the attached part of the body 11th assigns the first area 131 an internal thread 15th on and the attached part of the body 11th an external thread 16 .

The the hole 13th can also if this is in 1 is not shown, be designed as a blind hole.

The hole 13th preferably extends as in 1 shown in the longitudinal axis direction of the main body 10 .

As from the 1 is recognizable is the front area 12th of the main body formed like a cup.

In the in 1 The configuration shown is the second area 132 the hole 13th empty. The front area 12th of the main body 10 is thus opposite the rear area 17th Formed with a reduced mass without this based on the outer contour of the penetrator 1 can be seen. In addition, the mass and center of gravity of the front area can be set.

At the back 17th of the main body 10 closes a stern area 16 on.

The stern area 16 is designed so that the tail unit of the projectile can be attached to this.

The aspect ratio L / I of the rear area 17th to the front area 12th of the main body 10 is in a range from 10 to 1.5, preferably 8 to 2, in particular 6 to 3.

The front area 12th of the attached part of the body 11th is designed to be kink-resistant, so that it can penetrate a pre-target, in particular a front plate of reactive armor. The attached part of the body can be used for this purpose 11th have a point.

The second area 132 the hole 13th forms when part of the body is attached 11th a cavity from according to the first embodiment 1 remains empty.

As from the 1 As can be seen, the main body 10 an essentially cylindrical outer contour.

The front area 12th preferably has higher strength values and / or a higher hardness than the rear in the area 17th shows.

The main body 10 is preferably made of a tungsten heavy metal.

2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a penetrator according to the invention 1 . The second embodiment is based on the first embodiment and only the differences between the first and the second embodiment are set out below.

According to the second embodiment, the second area forms 132 the hole 13th forms when part of the body is attached 11th a cavity made with a material M. is filled.

The material M. in the second area 132 the hole 13th can be designed as a separate component. This component can be in the second area of the bore 13th be pressed in, or through the attached part of the body 11th be held in place. In addition, the component with the attached partial body 11th be connected and be designed to be mountable together with this.

The material M. has a lower density than the material M 'of the rear area 17th of the main body 10 .

3 shows a schematic representation of the front area 12th of the main body 10 . Even if the second area 132 the hole 13th empty, i.e. without material M. is illustrated, the disclosure relates with respect to 3 to all embodiments of the invention.

The wall thickness W. of the front area 12th is at least 30% of the outer radius r of the front area 12th . The wall thickness is preferably W. of the front area 40 to 50% of the outer radius r of the front area 17th .

4th shows a schematic representation of a penetrator according to the invention 1 and a first plate P. of a pre-destination.

The length l of the front area 12th of the main body 10 is determined by the formula I ≥ 2 * b / cos ( α ). It is b the thickness of a first plate P. a pre-destination and α the angle of inclination of a surface normal of the first plate P. of the pre-target with respect to a longitudinal axis of the penetrator 1 . The pre-target is preferably a reactive pre-target of reactive armor.

The fat b and angles α the plates of a preliminary target of reactive armor can be assumed to be known, since they can also be determined with sufficient accuracy by enemy tanks, for example by evaluating recordings or on the basis of other findings.

The angle α can for example be 68 ° and the thickness d of a plate of a pre-target be 25mm. The length l of the front area 12th of the main body 10 is then at least 134mm and the length L. of the rear area 17th substantially cylindrical part is about 620mm.

As far as the above disclosure relates to a penetrator 1 refers, the disclosure applies in the same way to a projectile from such a penetrator 1 , a tail unit and a sabot is formed.

The penetrator according to the invention 1 is used in particular to use the penetrator 1 to combat an armored target with reactive armor, especially a tank with reactive armor.

List of reference symbols

1

Penetrator

10

Main body

11th

attached partial body 11th

12th

front area of the main body

13th

drilling

131

first area of the hole 13th

132

second area of the hole 13th

14th

Side wall

15th

inner thread

16

External thread

17th

rear area of the main body

α

Angle of inclination of a surface normal to the first plate P.

b

Thickness of the first plate P. of a reactive pre-target

I.

Length of the front area 12th

L.

Length of the rear section 17th

M.

Material in the second area of the hole 132

M '

Material of the rear area 17th

P.

Plate of a reactive sub-target

r

Outside radius of the front area

W.

Wall thickness

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2372295 B1 [0005]
• DE 4022821 A1 [0006]
• DE 102015117018 A1 [0007]
• EP 2597416 A2 [0008]
• DE 102019113325 [0010]
• DE 2020104217 [0018]
• DE 102019126604 [0019]

Claims (19)

Penetrator (1) for a projectile with a tail unit, in particular a sub-caliber balancing projectile, comprising a one-piece main body (10) and a partial body (11) placed on the main body (10), characterized in that the main body (10) has at least one front area (12) and a rear area (13), the rear area (17) of the main body being solid and a bore (13) being formed in the front area (12), the bore (13) having at least a first area (131) and a second area (132), the first area (131) receiving the attached partial body (11) and the second area (132) extending rearward behind the attached partial body (11). Penetrator (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that an, in particular essentially hollow-cylindrical, side wall (14) is formed in the front region (12) of the main body (10). Penetrator (1) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the side wall (14) extends at least over the first region (131), preferably over the first region (131) and second region (132). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first area (131) has an internal thread (15) to accommodate the attached partial body (11) and the attached partial body (11) has an external thread (16). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bore (13) is designed as a blind bore Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front area (12) is designed like a cup. Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front area (12) of the main body (10) is designed to be reduced in mass compared to the rear area (17) without this being apparent from the outer contour of the penetrator (1). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front area (12) is so kink-resistant that it can penetrate with the attached partial body (11) into a preliminary target, in particular a front plate of reactive armor. Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second region (132) of the bore (13) forms a cavity which is unfilled when the partial body (11) is attached. Penetrator (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the second region (132) of the bore (13) forms a cavity when the partial body (11) is attached, which is filled with a material (M) which has a lower density than the material (M ') of the rear area (17) of the main body (10). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (10) has an essentially cylindrical outer contour. Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bore (13) extends in the longitudinal axis direction of the main body (10). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length ratio (L / I) of the rear area (17) to the front area (12) is in a range from 10 to 1.5, preferably 8 to 2, in particular 6 to 3. Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length l of the front area (12) is determined according to the formula I ≥ 2 * b / cos (α), where b is the thickness of a first plate (P) of a pre-target and α is the angle of inclination of a surface normal of the first plate (P) of the pre-target with respect to a longitudinal axis of the penetrator (1). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front area (12) has higher strength values and / or a higher hardness than the rear area (17). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness (W) of the front area (12) is at least 30% of the outer radius (r) of the front area (12), in particular 40 to 50% of the outer radius ( r) of the front area (17). Penetrator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (10) is formed from a tungsten heavy metal. Using the penetrator after one of the Claims 1 until 17th to fight a armored target with reactive armor, especially a tank with reactive armor. Projectile with a sabot and a tail unit comprising a penetrator according to one of the Claims 1 - 17th .

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