EP3913317A1 - Sub-calibre projectile and method for neutralising a target implementing such a projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is a subcaliber projectile (1) of the arrow type comprising a perforating bar (3) surrounded by a shoe (2) made of light material and allowing the firing of the projectile in a weapon, bar (3) which is extended by a stabilizer tail (4). The tail (4) is connected to the bar (3) by a connecting means (L) which can be broken, the rupture being initiated by a control means (11) integral with the projectile. The control means (11) comprises a chronometric module connected to a programming interface and which is programmed before firing or during firing so as to ensure the breaking of the connecting means (L) at a reference distance with respect to a target. that one seeks to neutralize. The invention also relates to a method of neutralizing an objective using such a sub-calibrated projectile.

Description

The technical field of the invention is that of subcaliber projectiles and in particular subcaliber projectiles of the large caliber arrow shell type (caliber greater than 75 mm).

Subcaliber projectiles (or arrow projectiles) are well known. They consist of a bar made of perforating material, with a conical front part, and carrying a stabilization tail.

The bar has a much lower caliber than that of the weapon which fires the projectile (25 to 30 mm diameter bar for a 120 mm caliber of weapon).

The shooting is made possible thanks to a sabot to the caliber of the weapon which releases the bar at the exit of the barrel of the weapon.

This conventional configuration makes it possible to obtain a particularly high bar speed (of the order of 1700 meters per second for an arrow bar fired by a 120mm caliber weapon). Licences US4724769 and FR2842897 describe, by way of example, known arrow projectiles.

The high speed communicated to them as well as the mass of the bar give the bars a very high capacity for perforating the armor.

However, arrows bars are nowadays confronted with active protection systems which act by blast effect. Vehicles equipped with such protection systems thus project a grenade which incorporates a thermobaric type explosive towards the bar.

The intense breath generated by such a grenade will act on the kinetic projectile and deflect it from its trajectory, thus reducing its perforating efficiency.

The action of these thermobaric grenades is exerted mainly on the tail of the arrow projectile, the wingspan of which is practically three times the caliber of the bar.

We also know from the patent FR2390703 a sub-calibrated exercise projectile whose tail unit is ejected on trajectory, at a fixed instant shortly after firing, in order to reduce the trajectory of the projectile. This projectile has a very shortened trajectory (of the order of a few hundred meters) compared to the trajectory of a perforating projectile (greater than 6,500 meters). This projectile is not designed to have target perforation performance and it is unsuitable for solving the intended problem.

Such a sub-calibrated exercise projectile in which the tail unit is separated from the bar on trajectory is also described by the patent. US2002 / 0088897 .

We also know from the patent DE3933442 a armor-piercing projectile, the tail of which separates from the bar on impact on a target. The aim is to prevent the tail unit from reducing the perforation of the target. Such a projectile is disturbed by blast grenades. Nor can it solve the problem of the resistance of the projectile to thermobaric protections.

It is the object of the invention to provide a sub-calibrated projectile which is not or only slightly disturbed by modern blast protections.

The invention also proposes a method of neutralizing an objective by implementing such a projectile.

Thus the object of the invention is a sub-calibrated projectile of the arrow type comprising a perforating bar surrounded by a shoe made of a light material and allowing the firing of the projectile in a weapon, the bar which is extended by a stabilizing tail unit, the tail unit being connected. to the bar by a connection means which can be broken, the rupture being initiated by a control means integral with the projectile, projectile characterized in that the control means comprises a chronometer module connected to a programming interface and which is programmed before firing or during firing so as to ensure the breaking of the connecting means to a reference distance from an objective that one seeks to neutralize.

According to a particular embodiment, the reference distance may be less than 200 meters.

Advantageously, the reference distance may be less than 100 meters.

According to a particular embodiment, the programming interface is a programming interface by wire.

According to a particular embodiment, the programming interface is an induction programming interface.

According to a particular embodiment, the programming interface is a radio frequency programming interface.

According to a variant, the projectile may comprise an explosive charge, the triggering of which will ensure the rupture of the connecting means and the projectile may also include a safety and arming device interposed between the explosive charge and the control means.

• on réalise une télémétrie de l'objectif à partir du système d'arme équipé d'un moyen de télémétrie ;
• on calcule un instant de déclenchement de la rupture du moyen de liaison tel que cette rupture intervienne à une distance de référence de l'objectif ;
• on programme avant tir ou lors du tir le module chronométrique du moyen de commande du projectile avec cet instant de déclenchement.

The subject of the invention is also a method for neutralizing an objective by implementing such a sub-calibrated projectile as well as a weapon system capable of firing this projectile and equipped with a firing line, method characterized by the steps following:

• a telemetry of the objective is carried out from the weapon system equipped with a telemetry means;
• an instant of triggering of the rupture of the connecting means is calculated such that this rupture occurs at a reference distance from the objective;
• the timing module of the projectile control means is programmed before firing or during firing with this triggering instant.

Advantageously, the reference distance can be modified.

• [Fig. 1] montre l'architecture générale d'un projectile sous calibré de type flèche ;
• [Fig. 2] est une vue agrandie de la partie arrière du barreau portant l'empennage ;
• [Fig. 3a] schématise un véhicule blindé engageant un autre véhicule blindé ;
• [Fig. 3b] schématise la mise en œuvre du projectile et du procédé selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, description given with reference to the appended drawings and in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] shows the general architecture of an arrow type subcaliber projectile;
• [ Fig. 2 ] is an enlarged view of the rear part of the bar carrying the tail;
• [ Fig. 3a ] represents an armored vehicle engaging another armored vehicle;
• [ Fig. 3b ] shows schematically the implementation of the projectile and of the method according to the invention.

The figure 1 shows an arrow projectile 1 which conventionally comprises a shoe 2 made of a light material (such as an aluminum alloy), a shoe formed from several segments and which surrounds a sub-calibrated bar 3.

The bar is made of steel or else of a dense tungsten-based alloy.

The bar comprises a conical front part 3a and carries at its rear part 3b a tail unit 4 ensuring its stabilization on the trajectory.

The sabot carries a belt 5, made of plastic material, and which seals against the propellant gases when firing in the barrel of a weapon (not shown).

During firing, the gases from the propellant charge (not shown) exert their thrust at the level of a rear part 6 of the shoe which is in caliber and which constitutes what is called the thrust plate.

Such a general configuration of a sub-calibrated projectile stabilized by a stabilizer (arrow projectile) is well known. In particular, we can consider patents FR2521717 and FR2661739 which describe known arrow projectiles.

The shoe 2 is intended to allow the firing of the projectile in the weapon. It consists of several segments (most often three) which surround the bar 3 and which are in contact two by two at the joint planes.

At the exit of the barrel of the weapon, the segments of the sabot 2 move away from the bar 3 under the action of the aerodynamic pressure which is exerted at the level of the front part (AV) of the sabot 2.

The separation of the segments leads to the rupture of the belt 5 and the shoe therefore frees the bar 3 which continues its trajectory.

Means of matching shape (not shown), for example a thread, are interposed between the shoe 2 and the bar 3 to ensure the drive of the latter.

The figure 2 shows in an enlarged manner the rear part 3b of the bar 3 carrying the stabilizer 4. The stabilizer 4 comprises a tubular body 4a on which the fins 4b are fixed.

It can be seen that the tail 4 is linked to the bar 3 by a connection means L which is here of the thread / tapping connection type. For this purpose, the tubular body 4a of the tail unit 4 comprises a threaded housing 8 which engages on a threaded part 7 of the bar.

The body 4a of the stabilizer also contains, behind the threaded housing 8, an explosive charge 9 which can be initiated by a primer (not shown) which is incorporated in a safety and arming device 10.

The safety and arming device 10 is not shown in detail. Such components are conventional and make it possible to ensure pyrotechnic safety during storage and handling of the projectile. They ensure a misalignment of the pyrotechnic chain during these phases and cause alignment of the chain when the conditions for effective firing are met.

Taking into account the reduced dimensions of the tubular body 4a, the safety and arming device 10 can advantageously be produced according to micromachined technologies. In such devices, the parts are micro-machined or micro-etched on a wafer of a substrate, for example of an insulating substrate. This technology known under the name MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) now makes it possible to produce micro mechanisms by implementing a technique similar to that for producing electronic integrated circuits.

For example, we can consult the patents: EP1780495 , EP1780496 , EP2482027 and EP2482028 which describe such micro-machined security and arming devices.

The safety and arming device 10 is connected to a control means 11 which is an electronic means comprising a chronometer module 11a which is programmed before firing or during firing.

The programming can be carried out by means of a programming interface 12 which is housed at the rear of the tail unit 4 and which is connected to the control means 11, for example by a wired link 13.

The programming interface 12 could be constituted for example by a coil allowing remote programming, by induction, when loading the ammunition.

The programming interface 12 could alternatively be a simple conductive ring which is connected to the base of the ammunition (not shown) by a wire passing through the propellant charge to allow programming by contact once the ammunition is in the chamber of the weapon.

The programming interface 12 can finally be a radio frequency sensor (or an antenna) configured to receive a programming signal over the air (for example in the frequency range from 2 GHz to 5 GHz).

It will be noted that, when the programming interface 12 is inductive or by contact, the programming is done before firing, whereas when the interface 12 is formed by a radio frequency antenna, the programming can optionally be done before firing. or when firing.

The control means 11 is kept at a distance from the rear of the tail unit 4 by a spacer 14. A tracer T can be provided which is housed behind the spacer 14.

The control means 11 is defined so as to ensure the breaking of the connecting means L at a distance, referred to as the reference Ref, from the target objective which it is sought to neutralize. The rupture is ensured by the triggering of the explosive charge 9. This reference distance depends on the characteristics of the active protection system which equips the objective.

In general, the reference distance can be chosen to be less than 200 meters and even more preferably less than 100 meters. However, this reference distance can advantageously be modified to take account of the characteristics of the active protection system of the objective encountered, a protection system whose reaction time could for example have been measured by an observer.

The aim is to cause the connecting means L to break sufficiently late so that the stabilization of the bar is not disturbed and sufficiently early so that the active protection system cannot act on the bar equipped with its tail.

The figures 3a and 3b show schematically the mode of operation of the projectile and the method according to the invention.

First of all ( figure 3a ) a vehicle V1 which wishes to neutralize an objective which is here a vehicle V2 first carries out telemetry of the vehicle V2, for example by a laser range finder coupled to the firing line which equips the vehicle V1 (conventional firing control and not shown).

The firing lines and the telemetry means are conventional means which equip all combat vehicles equipped with a weapon system S capable of firing sub-calibrated projectiles (for example a smooth barrel of 120mm to 140mm in caliber).

The distance Δ between the two vehicles is therefore determined. The firing control of the vehicle is then capable of calculating the flight time from the bar 3 to the vehicle V2, the ballistic characteristics of the projectile are in fact known and incorporated into firing tables.

The firing control is capable of determining the instant T2 on the trajectory at which the bar 3 will enter a zone Z surrounding the vehicle V2, zone Z having a radius which is equal to the reference distance Ref chosen by the operator and which may possibly be modified by the latter. Here the reference distance chosen is of the order of 100 meters.

It is this instant T2 which is the programmed triggering instant before firing or during firing in the chronometric module 11a.

• à l'instant T1 le barreau 3 est sur sa trajectoire normale et il comporte son empennage stabilisateur 4. Le dispositif de sécurité et d'armement 10 s'est armé comme suite au tir ;
• à l'instant T2 le barreau 3 entre dans la zone Z. Le moyen de commande 11 commande la rupture du moyen de liaison L entre le barreau 3 et l'empennage 4.

The figure 3b shows bar 3 on trajectory at two different times:

• at the instant T1 the bar 3 is on its normal trajectory and it has its stabilizer tail 4. The safety and arming device 10 is armed as a result of firing;
• at the instant T2, the bar 3 enters the zone Z. The control means 11 controls the breaking of the connecting means L between the bar 3 and the tail 4.

After the breaking of the connecting means L, the bar 3 continues its path as far as the vehicle V2. The distance that remains to be covered is sufficiently reduced so that there is no have no destabilization of the bar due to the loss of the stabilizer 4.

The tail unit 4 then follows its own trajectory and moves away from the bar 3.

The V2 vehicle is equipped with an active defense means D throwing blast grenades. This means is ineffective against the bar 3 devoid of its tail which therefore reaches the vehicle without being deflected and with its maximum perforation capacities. The means of defense D will only be effective against tail 4 alone.

It will be noted that, due to the ejection of the stabilizer, the puncturing capacities of the bar are also increased.

It will also be noted that the ejection of the tail unit is comparable to the ejection of a decoy capable of attracting the active defense device D towards it. It is therefore probable that the thermobaric grenades will be thrown towards the tail unit and not towards the bar itself.

Claims (9)

Arrow-type sub-calibrated projectile (1) comprising a perforating bar (3) surrounded by a sabot (2) made of a light material and allowing the projectile to be fired in a weapon, bar (3) which is extended by a stabilizing tail (4 ), the tail unit being connected to the bar (3) by a connection means (L) which can be broken, the rupture being initiated by a control means (11) integral with the projectile, projectile characterized in that the control means ( 11) comprises a chronometer module (11a) connected to a programming interface (12) and which is programmed before firing or during firing so as to ensure the breaking of the connecting means (L) at a reference distance (Ref) by compared to an objective (V2) that one seeks to neutralize. Subcaliber projectile according to claim 1, characterized in that the reference distance (Ref) is less than 200 meters. Subcaliber projectile according to claim 2, characterized in that the reference distance (Ref) is less than 100 meters Subcaliber projectile according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the programming interface (12) is a programming interface (12) by wire. Subcaliber projectile according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the programming interface (12) is an induction programming interface (12). Subcalibrated projectile according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the programming interface (12) is a radio frequency programming interface (12). Subcaliber projectile according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an explosive charge (9), the triggering of which ensures the rupture of the connecting means (L) and in that it comprises a safety device and armament (10) interposed between the explosive charge (9) and the control means (11). Method of neutralizing an objective by using a sub-calibrated projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims as well as a weapon system capable of firing this projectile and equipped with a firing line, method characterized by the following steps : - A telemetry of the objective (V2) is carried out from the weapon system equipped with a telemetry means; - An instant of triggering of the rupture of the connecting means (L) is calculated such that this rupture occurs at a reference distance (Ref) from the objective; - Before firing or during firing, the chronometer module (11a) of the control means (11) of the projectile is programmed with this triggering instant. Method for neutralizing an objective according to Claim 8, characterized in that the reference distance is modifiable.

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