EP3559589B1 - Optically tracked projectile - Google Patents

Optically tracked projectile Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3559589B1
EP3559589B1 EP17886272.8A EP17886272A EP3559589B1 EP 3559589 B1 EP3559589 B1 EP 3559589B1 EP 17886272 A EP17886272 A EP 17886272A EP 3559589 B1 EP3559589 B1 EP 3559589B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
projectile
metal
ammunition
disk
trailing edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17886272.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3559589A2 (en
EP3559589A4 (en
EP3559589C0 (en
Inventor
Kevin Michael Sullivan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments BV
Original Assignee
Nostromo Holdings LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/386,555 external-priority patent/US20170102218A1/en
Application filed by Nostromo Holdings LLC filed Critical Nostromo Holdings LLC
Publication of EP3559589A2 publication Critical patent/EP3559589A2/en
Publication of EP3559589A4 publication Critical patent/EP3559589A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3559589C0 publication Critical patent/EP3559589C0/en
Publication of EP3559589B1 publication Critical patent/EP3559589B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
    • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
    • F42B12/387—Passive tracers, e.g. using a reflector mounted on the projectile
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
    • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
    • F42B12/382—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/72—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material
    • F42B12/76—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the casing
    • F42B12/78—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the casing of jackets for smallarm bullets ; Jacketed bullets or projectiles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ammunition projectile that allows for position observation and tracking when illuminated.
  • the projectile may function with a fire control device that tracks the path of a projectile while in ballistic flight toward a given target.
  • Tracer technology was developed by the British defense research establishment in the midst of the First World War. The technology continues to be used 100 years later. In machine guns, belts of ammunition are mixed - ball and tracer combinations.
  • the U.S. Patent 2015/308802 A1 discloses a tracer ammunition including a projectile having a body; a chamber in the body having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chamber being open; an aperture at a rear end of the body providing an opening to the open end of the chamber; and a tracer material disposed within the chamber, wherein the tracer material is configured to combust when ignited and emit optical energy through the aperture as a result of the combustion process.
  • the tracer material may be configured to include a rear-facing surface having a concave contour to aid in directivity of light output from the tracer material.
  • the tracer material may comprise an exothermic material; and a luminescent material disposed on the exothermic material configured to emit optical energy in response to heat generated by the exothermic material.
  • the patent US2016/029188 A discloses a tracer ammunition including a projectile having a body, the body having an exterior-facing, outer metal surface fabricated from a metal that includes reflective, micro- prismatic surfaces.
  • Retro-reflection Use of retro-reflectors is ubiquitous in road signs where the technology was invented in the United Kingdom and introduced in the late 1930s. Retro-reflectors reflect light to the emission source with a minimum of scattering. There are three principal types of retro-reflectors: corner cube reflectors, cat's eyes and phase conjugated mirrors. The coefficient of luminosity returned in the direction of the emission source is high. In addition to their use in road signs, retro-reflectors are used in safety reflectors, high visibility clothing and surveying. NASA has also used this technology in the space program. The Apollo 11, 14 and 15 missions placed retro-reflectors on the moon surface allowing for precise measurements of the moon/earth distance. Today companies like 3M and Orafal (formerly Reflexite) now dominate the manufacturing of retro-reflective sheathing and tape that are incorporated into a wide variety of products.
  • Retro-reflective materials are generally categorized as either using glass beads or prismatic technology.
  • the glass bead retro-reflective technology from the 1930's is the oldest; the prismatic technology was developed by Reflexite Americas in the 1960's.
  • Glass bead tapes reflect light back less efficiently than do prismatics, so there are advantages to using prismatic solutions.
  • Prismatic tape exhibits a tighter, more efficient return of light.
  • a brighter, tighter beam extends much further than with glass bead retro-reflectors, giving prismatic tapes an operating range beyond the thousand foot mark. For marine, highway or traffic applications, where long distance conspicuity is important, prismatics are definitely preferred.
  • Glass bead retro-reflective materials are produced in tape form as both (1) engineering grade glass bead reflective tape, and (2) high intensity glass bead reflective tape.
  • Engineering Grade Glass Bead Reflective Tape Engineering grade reflective tape starts with a carrier film that is metalized on the top. Glass beads are applied to this layer so that about fifty percent (50%) of the bead is embedded in the metalized layer. This gives the beads their reflective properties. Then a layer of either acrylic or polyester is applied over the top. This layer can either be clear to make white reflective tape or it can be colored to create the different color reflective tapes. A layer of adhesive is then applied to the bottom of the tape and a release liner is applied to that layer. The tape is rolled up, slit to width and then sold. It shout be noted that an acrylic layered film will not stretch and a polyester layered film will. Because of the heat used in the manufacturing process, engineering grade films end up being a single layer so they do not delaminate.
  • High intensity reflective tape is made in layers.
  • the first layer has a grid built into the tape, normally using a honeycomb type pattern. This pattern holds the glass beads so that they are in separate cells.
  • the glass beads are bonded to the bottom of this cell, then a layer of acrylic or polyester is applied over the top of the cell leaving a small air space above the beads.
  • a layer of adhesive and a release liner are then applied to the bottom of the tape.
  • Retro-reflector Production and Prismatic Tape Clearly, the easiest and simplest way to produce retro-reflective material involves glass beads that are incorporated into a film. This glass bead technology was pioneered in the 1930s and has undergone numerous improvements over the decades. Prismatic reflective tapes were invented by Reflexite Americas in the 1960s. Micro-reflective materials were developed in the early 1990's. Following the U.S. Patent 5,171,624 , the Reflexite Corporation incorporated micro-reflective materials into polymers that have been widely adopted into sheeting material.
  • the U.S. Patent 3,757,623 to Bellinger disclosed the use of retro-reflectors in ammunition. Bellinger proposed incorporating glass bead retro-reflectors or corner cube retro-reflectors, also known as "cat's eyes", on the rear of a munition projectile and using a narrow beam laser to illuminate the target area to observe the projectile when it enters the beam. The gunner is then able to adjust the gun's bearings so that the projectile impacts the target.
  • Bellinger and Smith disclose the use of typical retro-reflective solutions by attaching glass beads to, or embossing a retro-reflective pattern on, the trailing edge of a projectile. Bellinger's and Smith's patents used the technology of their day, incorporating retro-reflective structure or cat's eyes to the trailing edge of a bullet.
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence The body of information regarding laser induced fluorescence is growing as laboratories throughout the world explore potential applications for this technology.
  • the present application foresees the use of tracer fluorescing material on a projectile or "bullet" which is fired from a weapon. When radiated after barrel exit by a laser co-located with the weapon, it allows an observer or electronic detector to track the projectile. This technology eliminates burning pyrotechnic tracer materials, allowing the trajectory of the projectile to match the trajectory of ball ammunition.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to provide for an observable and trackable projectile that, when coupled to an emitter, allows for the observation and recording of a projectile in flight. Further, when coupled to a fire control system, the recording of actual flight drop, drift and measurement of the time, space and location of a projectile in flight allows for improved precision and accuracy of weapon systems.
  • a bullet's metal jacket is used to form a closure with a metal disk providing a full metal jacket surrounding the bullet's core or cores.
  • One embodiment identifies a disk with micro- prismatic retro-reflectors that are thus incorporated into the trailing edge of the projectile so that reflected light can be viewed and the projectile's position tracked by electro-optical devices in the vicinity of the weapon firing said projectile.
  • an ammunition projectile with a full metal jacket configured to be fired from a weapon said projectile having an elongated circular body with a rear trailing edge that incorporates a thin metal disk, said metal disk being crimped to the rear trailing edge of the projectile, said metal disk having an exterior-facing, outer metal surface fabricated from a metal that includes reflective, micro-prismatic surfaces.
  • a disk with a phosphor material, on the trailing edge of the projectile is responsive and re-emits radiation when illuminated by an external electro-optical device.
  • the radiated light emission from the laser emitter may be in the UV, visual, NIR or MWIR spectrum.
  • the light reflected from the retro-reflective material may be in the UV, visual, NIR or MWIR spectrum.
  • an ammunition projectile with a full metal jacket configured to be fired from a weapon said projectile having an elongated circular body with a rear trailing edge that incorporates a thin metal disk with phosphor material, said metal disk being crimped to the rear trailing edge of the projectile, said metal disk having an exterior-facing, rear surface and a photo-luminescent material, disposed on the rear surface that is configured to re-emit radiation when excited by incoming radiation from an external electro-optical radiation source.
  • the invention further relates to a cartridge munition according to claim 17, comprising, a cartridge shell having a base; a projectile according to either of the embodiments according to the invention having a rear portion inserted into the shell and mechanically connected thereto, thereby forming a propulsion chamber within the shell, said projectile having a full metal jacket; a pyrotechnic propulsive charge disposed within the propulsion chamber; and a pyrotechnic igniter disposed in the base of the shell by means of which the propulsive charge may be ignited such that propulsive gases of the propulsive charge exert a force on the rear of the projectile when they burn, causing the projectile to be driven out of the cartridge shell when the munition is chambered in a gun, wherein the projectile has an elongated circular body with a rear-facing trailing surface, adjacent the propellant, that incorporates a retro-reflector.
  • the invention relates to a method according to claim 19 of manufacturing an ammunition projectile according to the invention having a rear surface, said method comprising the steps of first shaping a metal jacket forming an elongated cylindrical body with a rounded nose at a front end and a trailing edge with a circular opening at a rear end, a metal jacket being formed over one or more underlying metallic materials; afterwards inserting a round disk in the circular opening, thereby fully encapsulating the formed underlying metal or metals and closing the opening, said disk having an outer surface facing rearward; and finally crimping the trailing edge of the metal body around the disk to form a substantially impervious seal.
  • the invention thus provides for a projectile with a special tracer incorporated and crimped into the projectile and closing a metal jacket around the projectile that, when illuminated at the trailing edge, allows electro-optical devices to locate, observe and track a projectile in flight.
  • Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition is generally preferred for use by military forces for a number of important reasons. Accordingly, this application identifies a useful design to crimp thin metal disks, with certain features, to the trailing edge of the projectile. This design provides distinct benefits over prior art:
  • the small arms propellant industry is continuously modernizing and optimizing propellant mixtures.
  • This proposed solution for special retro-reflective tracers includes preferred use of robust metal combinations such as aluminum, nickel and steel-chrome combinations. The surface and reflectance of these metal combinations are used in gun barrels and are known to remain resilient even after exposure to the high heat propellant burning environment. Additionally, for the purpose of designing and building projectiles with special non energetic tracers, it is understandably useful to use clean burning propellants.
  • Figs. 1A-1C respectively show a Monte Carlo simulation of .308 sierra ball, tracer and ball/tracer bullet mix. Tracer bullets are normally fired with a ball to tracer mix. The mean impact point of bullets with and without burning tracers is significant when firing at longer ranges. The comparative tracer and ball comparisons highlight the ballistic drawbacks associated with use of energetic tracers.
  • the trackable projectile or "bullet” 10 is fabricated with a full metal jacket (“FMJ") 26 and incorporates a special tracer 28.
  • the special tracer is a not energetic but is provided with special characteristics that are incorporated into a thin metal disk 28.
  • the disk or wafer 28 is crimped 32 to the trailing edge of the projectile's metal jacket 26 and forming a sealed metal jacket surrounding the bullet's internal material or materials 26A.
  • the special tracer in wafer form either reemits or reflects radiation rearward.
  • the special tracers 28 are crimped 32 thus forming a trailing edge of the projectile 30.
  • the special tracer 34 light is reflected, allowing for identification and locating of the projectile in flight.
  • Figures 6A-6D depict a projectile with a special tracer.
  • the special tracer 28 is crimped by the bullet's exterior metal jacket 26 to form a sealed metal jacket 26A surrounding the bullet's interior metal or components.
  • the special tracer 28 is formed to include micro-prismatic structures 34 in the exterior metal surface as depicted in Figures 8A-8D .
  • the diagrams illustrate how an external device with an emitter 18 and detector 24 illuminate the projectile's flight path 20, and light 72 reaching the disk 34 is reflected in the direction of the incident radiation by the micro-prismatic structures 68, returning the light 74 at an angle of incidence to the external optical detector 24 co-located with the emitter 18.
  • the array of micro-prismatic structures 68 produce a conical reflectance return 74 allowing for the reflected light to be observed by a detector 24.
  • the cone of reflected light produced by the projectile 10 provides for continued tracking of the projectile, through its ballistic flight path 22 and provides for continued tracking where the rotational variation of spin has induced projectile yaw, precession and nutation.
  • a partially completed projectile may be assembled with the special tracer 28, fit the rear of the projectile as depicted in Figure 6C , and then crimped 32 to the FMJ 26 by crimping or metal forming, thus completing a fully encapsulating metal jacket 26A and retaining the special tracer 28 within the finished projectile 10.
  • the projectile After completing manufacture of the projectile 10, the projectile is then loaded into a cartridge case 04 that is filled with propellant 08 forming a completed projectile 02 ( Figures 2B and 2C ).
  • the product may benefit from use of a propellant 08 with an optimized stoichiometric balance, as such propellants are known to burn and minimize reside from propellant combustion.
  • a clean burning propellant in combination with special tracers is useful in precluding the unwanted deposition of carbonaceous residue on a special tracer's surface.
  • the wafer includes a fluorescent material (e.g., a dye) that is responsive and re-emits light when radiated with a laser.
  • the light re-emission 46 returns a light signal to an optical detector or 24 tracking device.
  • Figures 6A-D depict projectiles with a special tracer.
  • the special tracer 28 is crimped by the bullets exterior metal jacket 28 to form a sealed metal jacket 28A surrounding the bullet's interior metal or components.
  • the special tracer disk 28, 36 includes fluorescent dyes responsive to laser emission that include phosphorous.
  • Figure 5C depicts a special tracer that exhibits a special light response (reemission) that is crimped to a FMJ projectile 58 that, when excited by laser light, reemits radiation as identified in Figure 11 .
  • a cartridge with this type of special tracer in the trailing edge may incorporate an ablative or protective material 36B that burns or otherwise vaporizes after cartridge ignition.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Optical Recording Or Reproduction (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Holo Graphy (AREA)
EP17886272.8A 2016-12-21 2017-12-19 Optically tracked projectile Active EP3559589B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/386,555 US20170102218A1 (en) 2013-03-21 2016-12-21 Optically tracked projectile
PCT/US2017/067238 WO2018125661A2 (en) 2016-12-21 2017-12-19 Optically tracked projectile

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3559589A2 EP3559589A2 (en) 2019-10-30
EP3559589A4 EP3559589A4 (en) 2020-08-26
EP3559589C0 EP3559589C0 (en) 2023-06-07
EP3559589B1 true EP3559589B1 (en) 2023-06-07

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17886272.8A Active EP3559589B1 (en) 2016-12-21 2017-12-19 Optically tracked projectile

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP3559589B1 (es)
ES (1) ES2954074T3 (es)
WO (1) WO2018125661A2 (es)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US338849A (en) * 1886-03-30 Wilhblm loeenz
DE2100819B1 (de) 1971-01-08 1972-05-25 C. Keller U. Co., 4533 Laggenbeck Einrichtung zum Schneiden von Tonsträngen in Formlinge
US4015258A (en) 1971-04-07 1977-03-29 Northrop Corporation Weapon aiming system
US5171624A (en) 1990-06-01 1992-12-15 Reflexite Corporation Retroreflective microprismatic material and method of making same
US5127332A (en) * 1991-10-07 1992-07-07 Olin Corporation Hunting bullet with reduced environmental lead exposure
US8402896B1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2013-03-26 University Of Louisiana At Lafayette Hybrid-luminescent munition projectiles
US9739585B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2017-08-22 Thomas J Nugent, Jr. Retro reflective tracer ammunition, and related systems and methods
WO2014186049A2 (en) * 2013-03-21 2014-11-20 Kms Consulting, Llc Apparatus for correcting ballistic errors using laser induced fluorescent (strobe) tracers
US20170102218A1 (en) * 2013-03-21 2017-04-13 Nostromo Holdings, Llc Optically tracked projectile
US9739584B2 (en) 2014-04-24 2017-08-22 Physics Optics Corporation Projectile tracer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018125661A3 (en) 2018-10-04
EP3559589A2 (en) 2019-10-30
EP3559589A4 (en) 2020-08-26
ES2954074T3 (es) 2023-11-20
EP3559589C0 (en) 2023-06-07
WO2018125661A2 (en) 2018-07-05

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