EP0737298B1 - Telescoping arrow-type hunting bullet with a sub-projectile combined with a launching element - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR95/01418 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 25, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 25, 1996 PCT Filed Oct. 26, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/13697 PCT Pub. Date May 9, 1996An ammunition cartridge comprises a full bullet 1 held in a primer socket D containing a propellant charge P. The bullet 1 includes an flechette 2 and a launcher 10 concentrically received on the flechette to allow relative translation. The flechette 1 comprises an flechette body 3 of hard material having a conical head 4, and a stabilizer 6 fixed to a rear of the body 3. The stabilizer 6 has an integral lip 8 which seals the bullet 1 in the barrel to optimize pressure build-up during firing. The launcher translates forward relative to the flechette when released from the primer socket D. The full bullet remains intact in flight. The launcher strikes the target first and transmits high energy to the target. Immediately thereafter, the flechette translates forward to penetrate the target.

Description

The present invention relates to ammunition for weapons small, medium or large caliber, and more particularly a new telescopic arrow bullet, of the type with a sub-projectile associated with a launcher, actuated by a system propellant.

Arrow type ammunition is known in the fields sports and military, and for example, patent FR-A-2,335,818 describes a hunting ammunition comprising a projectile undersized stabilized by empennage, associated with a hoof launcher. The latter is made of a material capable of fragment at the exit of the barrel of the weapon, and the dispersion fragments then represents a security risk to the user. In addition, the principle of "push" launch used in this patent leads to a very sub-projectile short, whose L / D ratio (length of the sub-projectile / diameter of the body of the sub-projectile) may not exceed 2.5, thus leading to an energy balance with limited impact.

Patent FR-A-2,627,854, the priority of which is invoked in the European application EP-A-0 333 542, relates to a hunting ammunition comprising a projectile constituted by an internal element of which the front and side walls are covered by an element sleeve-shaped outer. The internal metallic element has a neutralizing head, integral with a rod rear on which a hammer mass can slide for increase the neutralizing effect of the projectile upon impact. However, the external element remains attached to the internal element over the entire trajectory of the projectile; he cannot be likened to a launcher like the one used in bullets arrows and cannot provide the same benefits. The principle of launching this projectile is also of the "pushed" type, and the L / D ratio cannot exceed about 3, leading also at low energy on impact on the target.

In addition, this type of projectile has the disadvantage of have a strong aerodynamic drag and sensitivity crosswind. These projectiles also have some propensity for ricochets on obstacles such as trunks of trees.

FR-A-2,555,728 describes an ammunition of the type arrow, that is to say comprising a stabilized sub-projectile by empennage, associated with a detachable launcher of the type "towed-pushed" which has the effect of guiding and sealing during the journey in the barrel of the weapon. The sub-projectile has a tapered shape, and is made in a high density material, giving it surface energy important on impact. This characteristic has the disadvantage of often only causing slight injuries to game, the sub-projectile can effect cross the soft flesh of game without encountering hard part. In addition, the projectile can be trained to significant distance if the target is missed, due to its good trajectory stability, and it can then constitute a danger to people nearby.

FR-A-2,602,042 describes a munition comprising also an arrow-type projectile, the launch of which is of the "pushed" type. The sub-projectile associated with a launcher is stabilized by a fin stabilizer mounted sliding on the body of the sub-projectile, thereby increasing the elongation, and the L / D ratio is of the order of 3.5. However, the energy balance of this type of ammunition still remains insufficient, and accuracy of shooting at usual distances is not always satisfactory, as elsewhere for all ammunition using a "push" type launch.

All the projectiles described in the aforementioned patents have a one-piece or multiple launch system elements, mainly made of plastic, which has the disadvantage of having, for certain projectiles such as those of patent FR-A-2,627,854, a low mass volume providing a low stopping power for game. For other projectiles, the launch system in several elements detachable from the muzzle of the weapon, such as in patent FR-A-2,335,818, causes a significant loss of energy.

The present invention relates to ammunition of the type arrow, comprising a sub-projectile (arrow) associated with a launcher to the caliber of the weapon. The set constituted by the sub-projectile (or arrow) and the launcher is at least partially included in a cartridge further comprising a primed socket and a propellant charge. This ammunition has characteristics enabling it to avoid disadvantages of the aforementioned known projectiles, and it can be used in particular in small hunting weapons, medium or large caliber, striped or not, as well as in weapons military training.

Ammunition for small, medium or large caliber weapons, according to the present invention is of the type comprising a sub-projectile comprising a tail, associated with a launcher the caliber of the weapon, the assembly being at least partially included in a cartridge further comprising a primed cartridge and a propellant charge, and is distinguished by that the launcher is not detachable and is mounted sliding longitudinally on the sub-projectile.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ammunition of the invention comprises a tail and / or a plate thrust, the latter can be integrated into the tail. In a simplified embodiment, the push plate can serve as stabilizer.

The thrust plate is integral with the body of the sub-projectile, and is preferably located slightly in front of the rear end of the sub-projectile. It is intended for ensuring the mechanical strength of the launcher during the ball propulsion as well as the propellant gas tightness between the full bullet and the barrel. This tightness can be improved by a seal placed on the face external of the push plate. According to a form of embodiment, this seal is constituted by a flexible lip at the periphery of the thrust plate, behind it. The seal can be further strengthened, for example, by a annular or O-ring placed on the external face of the push plate.

The push plate also makes it easier to guide of the full ball during the launch phase.

In addition, the slightly conical shape of the tail, or the flexible sealing lip, facilitates the sealing operations.

In its simplest embodiment, the tail includes only the push plate supplemented by a seal. The push plate can be made in plastic, and can advantageously integrate the tail, the two elements, thrust plate and tail, forming while only one piece.

According to the present invention, the ammunition includes a launcher consisting of a piece of revolution comprising two concentric bores, and preferably the diameter of the front bore is greater than that of the bore back.

More particularly, the launcher consists of a sleeve that can slide longitudinally on the body of the sub-projectile, between a retracted position and a position advanced, and in this last position, the total length of the complete bale is substantially advanced. It results in particular from improved ball stability complete (sub-projectile and launcher) on its trajectory, and therefore better accuracy of the shot. So the length of the full bale, in the extended position, can be about 50-60% greater than the length of the full bale in folded position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the launcher can slide over a distance between 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the sub-projectile.

On the other hand, in accordance with the invention, the mass of the launcher is more important than that of the sub-projectile, the mass ratio of launcher to sub-projectile being understood between 2: 1 and 8: 1, and preferably between 2.5: 1 and 6: 1. In because of this particular configuration, the launcher of the ammunition of the invention constitutes an energy launcher providing the full ball formed by the pitcher and the sub-projectile (or arrow), improved efficiency such as shown below.

The effectiveness of the bullet on the target can still be improved by providing a fragmentable launcher under the shock of impact, for example using resistance material appropriate or by forming fracture primers in the thickness of the starter sleeve.

The energy launcher can be made of a material relatively high density, for example the lead or a metal alloy, or a mixed alloy metallic organic. The sub-projectile consists of a high hardness material, for example brass.

According to an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention, it is possible to completely or partially cover the launcher by a material of composition or characteristics mechanical, or to make the launcher in two parts made of different materials. So the launcher can have an outer casing of larger material hardness, for example brass or hard plastic alloy. This embodiment allows the tube not to be filled of the weapon during the launch phase and manage more precisely the terminal target effect that we want to obtain.

The realization of the launcher in two parts, for example a rear and internal part in the form of a sliding ring on the sub-projectile, made of a material with high hardness, such as brass, and a front and external part made of lead or lead alloy, is particularly suitable when firing bullets at very high acceleration during launch phase, ensuring excellent mechanical strength of the front part of the launcher.

The front part of the launcher has a suitable shape in depending on the desired effect. It can be masked by a ballistic cap which reduces aerodynamic drag of the ball in flight, and to control the partial burst of the launcher on impact with the target.

According to another alternative embodiment in accordance with present invention, the fin is slidably mounted longitudinally on the rear part of the body of the sub-projectile. Before firing, and during the launch phase, the tail is in the forward position, against the rear end of the launcher. As of the exit of the tube from the weapon, it is brought back in the retracted position, against a stop provided for the rear end of the sub-projectile, by friction of slip, thanks to the difference in aerodynamic drag.

The tail, as well as the push plate, can be plastic alloy with mechanical resistance sufficient and a low density.

According to yet another variant in accordance with this invention, the sliding launcher is made in two parts concentric tubulars, the internal part remaining integral from the sub-projectile, from the launch phase to the impact on the target, while the outer part can be to separate. For this purpose, the outer part of the launcher is advantageously made of at least two detachable parts, symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the launcher, stain remover at the exit of the muzzle from the barrel.

It can be advantageous, especially in the case of the launcher in two concentric tubular parts, provide annular nozzles crossing the thickness of the internal part of the launcher, in its advanced overhanging part beyond the head of the arrow when the ball completes and is in the deployed position. These nozzles have the effect in particular channel air from inside the main nozzle formed in the axis of the launcher outwards, and to facilitate the separation of the elements constituting the external launcher separable.

This embodiment comprising a launcher in two parts is especially useful in the case of using of the ammunition according to the present invention in large caliber weapons, in order to keep the bullet a relatively small outside diameter, less than the caliber of the weapon.

The ammunition according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to be used in weapons of all calibers, with smooth tube choked or not, or with striped tube, both in the field of hunting weapons than in that of training weapons military.

• le lanceur n'étant pas détachable, il ne se produit aucune éjection d'élément susceptible de provenir du lanceur ou du système d'étanchéité ;
• elle permet d'utiliser l'énergie totale du projectile et elle augmente ainsi la puissance d'arrêt du gibier ;
• elle procure, à pression de tir égale, une vitesse initiale optimale grâce à une occupation minimale du volume imparti à la poudre par le système de stabilisation du projectile ;
• elle permet d'obtenir une très grande stabilité du projectile sur trajectoire par augmentation de la marge de stabilité grâce au montage télescopique flèche / lanceur énergétique ;
• elle procure une excellente précision de tir, plus particulièrement à grande distance ;

In addition, the ammunition according to the present invention, applied to hunting, has many advantages over known ammunition, and more particularly:

• since the launcher is not detachable, no element is ejected which may come from the launcher or from the sealing system;
• it allows the total energy of the projectile to be used and thus increases the stopping power of the game;
• it provides, at equal firing pressure, an optimal initial speed thanks to a minimum occupation of the volume imparted to the powder by the projectile stabilization system;
• it makes it possible to obtain very high stability of the projectile on trajectory by increasing the stability margin thanks to the telescopic boom / energy launcher assembly;
• it provides excellent shooting accuracy, especially at long distances;

On the other hand, the ammunition according to the invention has a improved efficiency and excellent neutralizing power because the launcher can fragment in a controlled manner within soft game while the sub-projectile (arrow) made of hard material generating very surface energy can hit hard parts of the skeleton of game, without damaging the venison thanks to excellent stability of the arrow when hit.

Finally, there is a low propensity for ricochets of the ammunition of the invention, which, moreover, can be manufactured by considerably reducing the mass of lead compared to conventional ammunition.

It is possible to use the same ball for the same family of hunting weapons, e.g. caliber rifles 12, 16 and 20, or to fire in the same weapon, and more particularly in shotguns and rifles with a smooth or weakened soul rifled, both ammunition conforming to this invention than a conventional small lead type ammunition.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent more clearly on reading the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings relating to preferred forms and not limiting of realization. These drawings represent:

Figure 1: a schematic section of a complete cartridge comprising a complete bale in accordance with the invention, consisting by an arrow and an energy launcher, as well as a primed cartridge and a propellant charge.

Figure 2: a longitudinal section of the complete bale of Figure 1, in the deployed position.

Figure 3: a schematic section of a variant of the front part of the launcher in Figure 1.

Figure 4: a schematic section of another variant of the front part of the launcher.

Figure 5: a schematic section of a sub-projectile comprising a finned fin.

Figure 6: a front view of the tailplane of Figure 5.

Figure 7: a schematic longitudinal section of a variant of sliding fin.

Figure 8: a schematic section of an alternative embodiment ammunition according to the invention, adapted to a weapon with striped tube.

Figure 9: a schematic section of a full ball of the invention comprising a launcher with two concentric parts suitable for a large caliber weapon.

Figures 10-11: a variant of the ball in Figure 9. The exemplary embodiments of ammunition in accordance with the invention appearing in these figures relate to ammunition hunting or small caliber, but it is clear that these achievements can be adapted to training ammunition without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the cartridge (C) includes the complete bullet (1) as well as the primed socket (D) containing the propellant charge (P), constituted in the present case by a powder of the conventional type.

The complete bullet (1) includes two elements: the arrow (2) and the energy launcher (10) which can slide on the boom body (2). When the ball is partially inserted in the cartridge, before use, the launcher (10) is in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 1.

After firing and as soon as it leaves the barrel, the ball is in flight, in the deployed position shown in Figure 2.

a) le corps de flèche (3) en matériau dur, comportant à l'avant une tête conique (4) et à l'arrière des gorges circulaires (5);

b) l'empenne (6), réalisée de préférence en matière plastique, comprenant elle même la plaque de poussée (7) intégrant le joint d'étanchéité formé par la lèvre (8), et le corps d'empenne (9).

As shown in Figure 2, the arrow (2) includes:

a) the arrow body (3) of hard material, comprising at the front a conical head (4) and at the rear of the circular grooves (5);

b) the tail (6), preferably made of plastic, itself comprising the push plate (7) integrating the seal formed by the lip (8), and the tail body (9).

The energy launcher (10) is a piece of revolution made of lead alloy with two concentric bores of different diameters, the diameter of the front bore (11) being greater than that of the rear bore (12).

The shape of the conical head (4) of the body (3) of the arrow (2) is designed to allow good hooking of the boom (2) on the target, and penetrate matter with power neutralizing very important. The outside diameter of the head conical (4) is greater than that of the central part (13) of the boom body (3).

This central part (13) is cylindrical in shape. the rear part of the boom body (3) has grooves circular (5) cooperating with teeth (14) formed in the tail body (9).

The push plate (7), integrating the seal (8) with a deformable lip and the tail body (9), ensures the mechanical resistance of the energy launcher (10) to level of the face (15) of the thrust plate (7) and of the face (16) of the energy launcher (10) during the propulsion of the complete bale (1), gas tightness propellants between the full bullet (1) and the barrel thanks to the deformable lip seal (8), as well as guiding the complete ball (1) during the launch phase.

At rest, the outside diameter (a) of the seal (8) is a few tenths of a millimeter higher than diameter of the barrel of the weapon. The tightness is further strengthened during the launch phase by the pressure (p) exerted by the propellant gases on the internal face (17) of the seal (8).

The tail body (9) has at its rear part a conical shape (18) facilitating the penetration of the ball complete (1) in the propellant powder (P) during cartridge filling. Adents (14), formed in the tail body (9), cooperate with the grooves (5) formed in the body of arrow (3) to secure the assembly constituted by the arrow body (3) and the tail (6).

The tail (6) plays an important role on the trajectory, ensuring the stability of the complete bale (1) until the target. The aerodynamic components acting on this tail are very important during the flight of the ball complete (1). The mechanical strength of the tail (6) during this flight phase is ensured by the combination of gorges (5) of the boom body (3) with the teeth (14) of the body empenne (9).

The outer part of the energy launcher (10) comprises a cylindrical part (19) whose diameter (b) is very slightly lower than that of the weapon, and an ogive part (20) whose shape is linked to the flight characteristics as well than the effects sought during penetration of the ball complete (1) in the target. The cylindrical part (19) has in its rear part a groove (21) allowing the crimping of the collar of the sleeve after cartridge sealing.

The inner part of the energy launcher (10) is consists of two cylindrical and concentric bores. The diameter of the rear bore (12) is less than the diameter of the front bore (11). The connection between the two bores has a shoulder (22) for ensuring the forward locking of the energy launcher in translation (10) with the conical head (4) of the boom body (3). Bore front (11), larger in diameter than the rear bore (12), has on its front part an internal chamfer (23) whose dimensions are linked to the characteristics of the effect terminal sought for the complete bale (1). Games annulars of a few tenths of a millimeter are provided between the rear bore (12) of the energy launcher (10) and the central part (13) of the boom body (3), as well as between the front bore (11) and the head (4) of the boom body (3). These annular games allow an easy sliding of the launcher energy (10) over the distance (1).

In the rest position, before firing, the distance 1 is equal to 0, the rear face (16) of the energy launcher (10) being in contact with the face (15) of the thrust plate (7).

How the ball shown in Figure 2 works is the next.

At the start of the blow, and during the pressure build-up, the The bushing is made by the groove (21) of the energy launcher (10). During the phase of full ball propulsion, the energy launcher (10), while guiding the ball in the tube the weapon, is in contact with the thrust plate (7) of the tail (6) via the face (15) of the plate thrust (7) and face (16) of the launcher (10). Sealing total propellant gas is provided by the gasket (8) lip, integrated in the push plate (7). The complete bale (1) is thus in its folded position.

Right out of the barrel, the energy launcher (10), free in translation, slides forward on the body arrow (13) of the arrow (2), to come up against the head conical (4) of the arrow (2). This displacement is represented by length 1 in Figure 2. This sliding movement is obtained thanks to the difference in aerodynamic drag on the arrow (2) and on the energy launcher (10), the drag aerodynamics of the launcher (10) being lower than that arrow (2).

Thus the complete ball (1) is then in position deployed and the arrow (2) is guided by the launcher energy (10) along the entire trajectory, up to the target. The deployed position of the full ball on trajectory provides exceptional ball stability by increase in the stability margin defined by the distance separating the center of the aerodynamic forces and the center of gravity of the full bullet deployed.

The aggression mechanism on the target takes place in two phases, as shown below.

In a 1st phase, the energy launcher (10) strikes first the target by its front face with the total energy of the complete ball (1).

a - un premier effet neutralisant apparaít grâce à l'énergie cinétique surfacique élevée (1/2 m.V² : section frontale annulaire du lanceur énergétique (10)) permettant ainsi de générer une onde de choc importante avec dilacération.

b - un deuxième effet neutralisant est obtenu par la fragmentation progressive du lanceur énergétique (10).

c - la libération de la flèche (2).

At this precise moment three phenomena appear chronologically:

a - a first neutralizing effect appears thanks to the high surface kinetic energy (1/2 mV ² : annular frontal section of the energy launcher (10)) thus making it possible to generate a large shock wave with shredding.

b - a second neutralizing effect is obtained by the gradual fragmentation of the energy launcher (10).

c - release of the arrow (2).

During the target's aggression phase by the launcher energetic (10), it tends to slide backwards of the boom body (13) of the boom (2), thereby freeing the arrow (2) with all the power of the full bullet (1).

In a second phase, the arrow (2), the release of which has absorbed practically no energy, thus strikes the target with its total energy. The target having become less hard due to the work produced by the energy launcher (10) during the 1st phase, the arrow (2) can easily enter the target with its total energy. The power of the arrow makes it possible to break the hard parts of the target thanks mainly to the very high surface kinetic energy of the arrow (2) (1/2 mV ² / maximum frontal section of the arrow body) and to the neutralizing power of the conical head (4) of the arrow (2). The arrow (2) being very stable during reaching, the surface kinetic energy delivered by said arrow in the target remains homogeneous and very high. The excellent stability of the arrow (2) during the attack makes it possible not to damage the venison of the game, in the case of the hunting ball. It also limits the propensity for ricochets, for example on tree trunks.

This two-phase aggression mechanism provides very high surface kinetic energies of the launcher energy (10) and the arrow (2), thus generating waves shock while ensuring fragmentation of the energy launcher (10), essential when the full ball hits a soft part of the target.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a energy launcher (24) according to the invention, comprising a front part (25) of lead or alloy, and a part rear (26) in the form of a shouldered ring with teeth (27) cooperating with the grooves (28) provided in the part before (25).

This embodiment is particularly revealed useful when firing bullets with very high acceleration during the launch phase, ensuring excellent mechanical strength.

Another variant of energy launcher is shown in Figure 4 where the launcher (29) also consists of two parts: a front part (30) of alloy, and a part rear (31) protecting the external part (32) and the rear (33) of the front part (30). This rear part (30) has a groove (34) for crimping the collar of the socket.

This embodiment allows the tube not to be filled of the weapon during the launch phase, and to facilitate the control of the terminal effect sought on the target.

According to a variant (not shown), the rear part can cover most of the warhead before.

Figure 5 shows a tail (35) made of four fins (36), a thrust plate (37), carrying a O-ring (38) fitting into a circular groove (39), and a tail body (40) made of plastic. The tail (35) is integral with the boom body (41) by means circular grooves (42) cooperating with teeth (43). The four fins (36) appear more clearly on the Figure 6.

This embodiment is particularly useful for increase the lift of the complete ball on its trajectory, as well as to extend the guide length of the bale during the propulsion phase.

According to a simple variant, the tail (35) can be limited to the push plate (37) completed on its periphery by the O-ring (38). This variant allows you to reduce the volume occupied by the tail in the propellant powder, when the full bullet is in place in the socket the cartridge.

Figure 7 shows a complete bale in accordance with the invention, in the folded position. This full ball is constituted by an energy launcher (44) provided with a cap ballistics (45), an arrow (46), as well as a tail (47) free in translation on the boom (46).

The ballistic cap (45) reduces the drag aerodynamics of the ball in flight and better control the burst of the energy launcher (44) upon impact on the target. The arrow (46) has a conical head at both front and rear ends.

The launcher (44), with its cap (45), and the tail (47) are shown in solid lines in the folded position, and in dotted lines in the deployed position. In position folded, the tail (47) is separated from the rear conical head by the distance (n) while the launcher (44) can slide on the body of the boom (46) over a distance (m). Beginning trajectory, and by difference in aerodynamic drag, the complete ball unfolds over a length equal to m + n, the tail (47) coming to bear on the conical head rear, and the energy launcher (44) abutting against the conical head before the arrow (46).

Several variants of the munition according to the invention, more specifically adapted to particular applications, are described in the following examples.

Example 1

The full ball shown in Figure 8 applies firing bullets in heavily scratched tubes, while the full ball shown in previous figures applies essentially shooting in smooth-bore weapons or weakly scratched.

The complete ball (48) shown in Figure 8 is stabilized by the tail (49).

The energy launcher (50) consists of its part front (51) in alloy and its rear part (52) in alloy hard metal such as brass. The rear part (52) has a shoulder (53) and a groove (54) in which a plastic ring (55) cooperates with a clearance annular j between 0.1 mm and a few tenths of millimeter. The ring (55) is free to rotate but locked in translation, and it has a groove of crimping (56) fitted in its rear part by the collar (57) of the socket (58). It has an outer diameter f located at the front of the groove (56) greater than 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm about the diameter g of the stripe bottom of the tube (T) of tear. The outside diameters k of the tail (49) and µ of the energy launcher (50) are slightly lower than inside diameter r of the barrel, the difference being less than 0.1 mm.

The operating principle of this device is the following.

As soon as the pressure builds up, the trimming takes place. The ring (55) thus takes up the scoring of the barrel of the weapon and then turns at the speed of rotation allowed by this striping. At the same time it ensures good sealing of the bale complete (48) with propellant gases. In its movement, it causes the complete ball (48) to rotate slightly, only by friction. At the exit of the tube, the ring (55) breaks under the effect of centrifugal force, and simultaneously complete bullet (48) begins its deployment movement.

This device therefore makes it possible to overcome speed rotation imposed by the heavily scratched tube, while providing the benefits described above.

Example 2

In this example, the energy launcher has a front central nozzle communicating with annular nozzles channeling the flow of air, according to one embodiment described in French patent application 94.10922.

The complete bale shown in Figure 9 is suitable to be fired into a relatively large caliber weapon, and includes an energy launcher in two elements: a internal element and an external element.

The internal energy launcher (59) is similar to that from the previous example, and can slide along the body (60) of the arrow (61). It has a central nozzle (62) open towards the front, communicating with four annular nozzles (63) passing through the wall of the energy launcher internal. The cylindrical outer part has a series circular grooves (64) cooperating with the adents (65) of the external launcher (66).

This external launcher (66) consists of two elements to contiguous planes cooperating with the circular grooves (64) of the internal energy launcher (59). The external launcher (66), made of technical plastic, includes grooves circular (67) pressure relief on its periphery, and a inner cone (68) on its front part.

The diameter (s) of the front of the tail (69) of the boom (61) is equal to the caliber of the weapon. The complete projectile (70) consists of the arrow (61) with its tail (69), the internal energy launcher (59) as well as the external launcher (66).

During the launch phase, the complete projectile (70) is in the position shown in Figure 9, then from the exit from the barrel, the elements of the external launcher (66) detach from the internal launcher (59) under the action of forces aerodynamics acting on the cone (68) and through the annular nozzles (63) communicating with the central nozzle (62). At the same time, the internal energy launcher (59) slides forward on the body (60) of the boom (61), and abuts against the conical head of the arrow.

The elements of the external launcher (66) which have detached fall at an average distance of 30 m, with a maximum deviation 7 m from the shooting plan.

According to a particularly adapted embodiment variant with small diameter tube weapons, the launcher internal energy (59) is of the caliber of the weapon, and the external launcher (66) is then deleted. The other elements remain unchanged.

Example 3

Figure 10 shows another bullet conforming to the present invention, in the folded position, as it stands found in a cartridge and during the launch phase.

In the ball shown in this Figure 10, the ball complete (71) includes a boom, tail, and launcher energy consisting of an internal element and an element external, as in the previous example. The energy launcher internal (72) has a front element (73) and an element rear (74). The diameter of the front element (73) of the launcher is greater than the diameter of the rear element (74), but less than the caliber of the weapon. The two elements (73) and (74) are connected by vanes (75), delimiting annular nozzles according to the technique described in the patent application French 94.10922.

The external launcher (76), substantially of the caliber of the weapon, is made of technical plastic and is consisting of two symmetrical elements with respect to the axis of the ball, mounted in contiguous planes, as in the previous example. The external element (76) and the internal energetic element (72) cooperate through teeth and grooves, as in the previous examples. Decompression grooves are formed on the outside of the external launcher (76).

The tail (77) is also made of plastic, and its outside diameter is much smaller than caliber of the weapon. It is completed by an annular seal (78) with two flexible lips which ensures sealing total of the full propellant bullet (71) during the launch phase.

Right out of the gun barrel, the two elements of the external launcher (76) detaches from the energy launcher internal (72), and the latter slides on the boom body (79) to abut against the conical head of the arrow (80). At the same time, the seal (78) is detached from the tail (77).

Example 4

This example describes an embodiment analogous to that of Example 3, but in which the front element of the launcher and the tail are of the caliber of the weapon.

The tail (81), of the caliber of the weapon, ensures the sealing of the full ball (82) during the launch phase thanks to its flexible lip (83). The outside diameter of the element front (84) of the energy launcher (85) is very slightly less than the caliber of the weapon. The external launcher (86), made of technical plastic, includes two elements with symmetrical contiguous planes with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ball. When the bale is in the stowed position, as shown in Figure 11, the external launcher (86) is located blocked between the tail (81) and the rear edge of the element front (84) of the energy launcher (85).

Following the same process as described above, from the exit from the barrel, the constituent elements of the launcher external (86) detach from the energy launcher (85), and this last slide on the boom body (87).

In such an exemplary embodiment, the mass of the launcher energy can be around 20 g, while the mass of the arrow is 5 g and that of the external launcher in terms of plastic is about 2 g. The total length of the bale complete is approximately 42 mm in the folded position and 60 mm in deployed position.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to obtain, under normal conditions of use, a kinetic energy of the bullet, measured at the outlet of the barrel of the weapon, of approximately 3.445 J, and a kinetic energy of the surface at impact on the target of around 35 J / mm ² .

According to an alternative embodiment, the external launcher (86) can be made integral with the tail (81), constituting and a plastic alloy launcher, attached to the arrow and remaining integral with it during the entire path.

Claims (14)

1. Ammunition for a small, medium or large calibre weapon, comprising a sub-projectile (2) which comprises a stabilizer (6), connected to a launcher (10) at the calibre of the weapon, the unit being enclosed, at least partially, in a cartridge (C) which, in addition, comprises a primer socket and a propellant charge, characterized in that the launcher (10) is not detachable and is mounted to slide longitudinally on the sub-projectile (2).
2. Ammunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the mass ratio of the launcher to the sub-projectile is between 2:1 and 8:1.
3. Ammunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the launcher (10) is formed by a revolving part comprising two concentric bores (11 and 12).
4. Ammunition according to claim 3, characterized in that the diameter of the front bore (11) is greater than that of the rear bore (12).
5. Ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the launcher (10) is mounted to slide across a distance of between 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the sub-projectile (2).
6. Ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the launcher comprises an outer casing (31) of a material having a higher strength.
7. Ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the launcher comprises a front part (25) and a rear part (26) in the form of a ring which is provided with a shoulder.
8. Ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the launcher (10) is provided to be two concentric tubular parts (59 and 66).
9. Ammunition according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer part (66) of the launcher (10) is formed by at least two detachable parts which are symmetric relative to the longitudinal axis of the launcher.
10. Ammunition according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that nozzles (63), which channel the air from the interior to the outside, pass through the wall of the inner part (59) of the launcher (10).
11. Ammunition according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-projectile comprises a thrust plate (7) which is integrated in the stabilizer (6).
12. Ammunition according to claim 11, characterized in that the thrust plate (7) comprises a seal which is formed by a flexible lip (8) placed on its periphery.
13. Ammunition according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the thrust plate (7) comprises an annular or toric seal (38) on its outer surface.
14. Ammunition according to any one of claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the stabilizer is mounted to slide longitudinally on the sub-projectile.

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