Description
The invention concerns a projectile, in particular in the medium- caliber range, with a marking charge and a base igniter.
Projectiles are known from the prior art, which are fired from, in particular, flying platforms.
In this case, it is desirable that the point of impact is also recognizable from height (the air). To this end, the point of impact is usually marked.
This marking makes it possible, if so required, to correct subsequent shots.
Since conventional munition generates at the target a very large and very intense fireball during implementation, it is sometimes not possible to differentiate points of impact of individual shots from one another.
Explosive grenades generally contain secondary explosives which are initiated by a separate detonator.
This property makes the projectiles ex- pensive and increases the risk of unexploded ordnance and a non-intended implementation with the corresponding consequences.
In addition, explosive grenades are undesirable on practice ranges.
Projections with pyrophoric or pyrotechnic active charges which are deployed purely by the target impact, atomized and initiated, are not in some cases able to mark the target or the impact reliably, since the effect is hidden, for example covered by sand or effaced thereby.
Color markings, as known, for example, from EP 1 183 494 B1, are only visible to a limited extent.
From DE 30 33 0641 C2, a grenade-launcher practice projectile is known.
In order to achieve good marking even in mud, water puddles, swamp and snow, it is proposed to eject the marking from the rear of the pro-
—jectile.
The marking is centrally integrated as a signal charge in the projectile.
When the grenade is fired from the tube, an impact fuze is enabled.
At im- pact, the latter ignites the signal charge, which exits to the rear and for its part makes possible adequate marking above the ground.
DE 197 58 459 A1 shows a warhead with means for target mark-
ing. The marking charge is a pyrotechnic charge which generates infrared radiation. The marking projectile is ejected rearwards from the warhead by a first pyrotechnic charge being triggered. The disadvantage is that marking is triggered by an ignition chain. GB 2 223 294 A discloses a practice or training projectile with an impact fuze which is integrated in the projectile at the base end. This impact fuze comprises at least one magazine with a variable quantity of explosive, a delay device, and a pyrotechnic compound. Once the projectile has reached the target, a firing pin strikes a fuze and triggers it. The explosive in the mag- azine is thereby ignited. The resulting energy is used to ignite the pyrotechnic compound. DE 10 2011 107 960 83 discloses a munition, in particular for practice purposes, which contains a charge which can preferably explode in the air. The projectile casing of the projectile body contains a centrally ar- ranged cylindrical block with a charge chamber containing the charge. The outer circumference of the cylindrical block is annularly surrounded by a con- tainer with a marking substance. After the charge has been ignited, pressure is applied to the marking container via pressure relief holes and the marking container and the marking container breaks up together with the projectile casing. The marking substance is thereby discharged from the projectile body. US 3,810,426 A discloses a practice projectile for training purpos-
es. Proceeding from the object that explosive or other types of chemical charges are used which are ignited upon impact of a projectile in order to provide a smoke cloud or a fire flash. Mentioned as a disadvantage is that with such projectiles there is an inherent risk of injuries, etc., during produc- tion, storage, handling, or during firing. It is therefore proposed to incorporate as a signaling device flashlights which after impact are powered by a battery. The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages known from the prior art.
The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the idea of presenting a projectile with a base igniter and a marking charge, whereby an ignition chain with explosives can be dispensed with.
According to the invention, the projectile comprises a pyrotechnic marking charge which is initiated by an ignition chain in the base igniter.
As a result of the gases thereby arising and the pressure, the base igniter is ejected from the rear of the projectile.
The deploying marking charge (the reaction) also exits from the rear of the projectile and creates an optimal marking point which can also be seen from the air.
The marking charge reliably marks the target as on hard, on wet and on sandy soils or targets, and even at shallow impact angles.
The pilot or the gunner is thereby enabled to correct the target point on the basis of the impact flash.
The marking charge preferably comprises a charge in the IR, as well as in the visible range, so that the target marking effect can be seen not only in the IR range but also in the range visible to the eye.
Other possibilities are not ruled out.
The pyrotechnic marking charge is located in the projectile body of the projectile.
When the projectile strikes the target, a ballistic hood of the projectile is mechanically destroyed by the target impact.
The remaining pro- jectile is now delayed by the target material.
As a result of the delay, the igni- tion chain initiates the pyrotechnic marking charge in the projectile body.
A resulting pressure between the projectile body and the base igniter leads to the base igniter being ejected.
The pyrotechnic reaction acts counter to the firing direction and reliably marks in the form of a flash, regardless of the ground condition at the impact point (target).
The ignition chain is preferably of a mechanical design.
During the delay, for example, an ignition pin can preferably move axially in the base igniter.
This movement then initiates, for example, an ignition capsule.
The movement of the ignition pin is made possible in that at firing a securing ele- ment releases the ignition pin, preferably due to the projectile spin, and thus enables the necessary degrees of freedom for the ignition pin.
A projectile, in particular in the medium-caliber range, with a pro- jectile body and a marking charge, is thus proposed, wherein the marking landing is a pyrotechnic marking charge.
The projectile comprises a base igniter in which an ignition chain is arranged.
After initiation of the pyrotechnic marking charge by the ignition chain, the base igniter is ejected from the pro- jectile body at the rear end, so that the marking charge is discharged at the projectile rear end counter to the firing direction.
The pyrotechnic marking charge provided is characterized by a compound which acts not only in the IR range but also in the range visible to the eye, but is not limited thereto.
With this marking, reliability can be significantly increased com- pared to other projectiles with explosive and ignition chain.
Since the initiation of the pyrotechnic marking charge is always realized via the ignition chain, the size and intensity of the pyrotechnic target marking are independent of the impact velocity and the target material and are thus constant.
The princi- ple is in addition functional at least up to an angle of 77° (NATO). The use of a mechanical or a pyro-mechanical ignition chain per- mits a simple mechanical securing of the ignition chain in the base igniter.
In the case of ignition chains within igniters, this effort is significantly higher due to stricter safety requirements.
Primary and secondary explosives (detonable substances), igniters, ignition components, and ignition chains are dispensed with.
The last-mentioned require a considerable qualification outlay in particu- lar in the case of flying platforms (helicopters, aircraft). Since the pyrotechnic marking charge is ignited even in the case of a low-velocity impact (e.g., 15 m/s), duds must be excluded.
Disposal of the munition is also simpler.
Han- dling safety is also increased.
By using an ignition chain, the structure of the base igniter is less extensive than when an ignition chain within an igniter is used, which makes the munition more cost-effective.
The invention is to be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment with a drawing.
The only figure shows a projectile 10 with a pyrotechnic marking charge 2 which is arranged in the projectile body 3 of the projectile 10. The 5 projectile 10 has a base igniter 4 which is also arranged in the projectile body 3 and preferably closes it off at the base end.
The base igniter 4 comprises an ignition chain 5. In this embodiment, the ignition chain 5 is of a mechanical or pyro-mechanical construction.
In a simple embodiment, the ignition chain 5 can be formed by an ignition pin and an ignition capsule.
In principle, the igni- tion chain can also be of electrical, electronic or electro-mechanical construc- tion.
The ignition chain 5 can be secured within the base igniter 4 by a secur- ing element 7. At the front end, the projectile has a ballistic hood 8. The marking charge 2 comprises a pyrotechnic composition which is effective in the IR range and/or in the range visible to the eye.
The mode of operation is as follows: The securing element 7 preferably secures the first element of the ignition chain 5 within the base igniter 4 and secures it within the base igniter 4 against a non-intended implementation/triggering during, for example, stor- age, transportation, handling, or feeding of the munition in the weapon.
The ignition chain 5 is preferably released by the securing element 7 after the pro- jectile 10 has been fired.
For this purpose, not only the projectile spin but also the impact of the projectile 10 at the target can be used.
When the projectile 10 strikes a target (ground) (not shown in more detail), the ballistic hood 8 is destroyed purely mechanically by the target impact.
The target material (e.g., sand, wet sand, concrete) delays the projectile 10. During this delay, the ignition chain 5 released by the securing element 7 can be implemented or trig- gered.
The implementation/triggering of the ignition chain 5 ignites the pyrotechnic marking charge 2 in the projectile body 3. A pressure arising between the projectile body 3 and the base igniter 4 pushes the base igniter 4 out of the projectile 10 at the rear end 9. The pyrotechnic reaction (the marking charge 2) also acts counter to the firing direction and marks the target point or the target impact.