GB2193561A

GB2193561A - Air weapon

Info

Publication number: GB2193561A
Application number: GB08419548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Claude Sauvestre
Original assignee: Direction General pour lArmement DGA; Etat Francais
Current assignee: Direction General pour lArmement DGA; Etat Francais
Priority date: 1983-09-08
Filing date: 1984-07-31
Publication date: 1988-02-10
Also published as: NO160743C; GB2193561B; DE3432650A1; NO160743B; FR2601763A1; FR2601763B1; GB8419548D0; NO843559L; NL8402549A; DE3432650C2; BE900529A

Abstract

An air weapon, e.g. an air rifle, comprises a stock 12 having a power source which consists of a piston 14 slidable in a cylinder 10 to compress air therein using a single compression stroke of the piston into a reservoir 24 and including a valve mechanism 26 operable by a firing mechanism 40 to release the air under pressure into a barrel (34) of the weapon, the barrel (34) being slidable in a barrel sleeve 30 into a position in which the breech end of the barrel is positioned in direct sealing engagement with the outlet port of the valve mechanism 26, the sliding movement of the barrel also effecting opening and closing of the breech 32 to allow the insertion of a projectile into the barrel. The air weapon is provided with a silencer assembly formed at least partially as an integral part of the barrel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Artillery projectiles This invention relates to artillery projectiles, and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to sub-caliber projectiles of the ar mor-piercing, fin-stabilized, discarding sabot (AP-FS-DS) type.

In this field, numerous projectiles capable of piercing single or passive targets have already been developed, but few of them can successfully attack multi-layer or active-type armor.

The rounds proposed so far for piercing active armor frequently use hollow-charge projectiles, particularly with two hollow charges mounted one behind the other.

In the field of AP-FS-DS projectiles, we know of a round consisting of a kinetic-energy main projectile which includes, in a tail unit, behind a central bore, a secondary sub-projectile also using kinetic energy. The latter is propelled to the target at the end of the main projectile's trajectory, and comes out of the main projectile to attack the first layer of the active armor. At the end of the main projectile's trajectory the secondary projectile follows a trajectory independent of the main projectile trajectory, and needs to be gyro-stabilized.

This type of device is complex to produce, because its manufacture requires complex machining, namely a long bore-drilling. Also, the materials commonly used to produce AP-FS DS projectiles are dense materials such as depleted uranium or tungsten, which are difficult to machine at all.

Moreover, the fact that the secondary subprojectile comes out of the main projectile and follows an independent trajectory makes it necessary to gyro-stabilize it, so that its trajectory may be as close to that of the main projectile as possible, and that the latter may hit the target in the area already attacked by the secondary projectile.

To meet this end, it is necessary to incorporate grooves, which are not easy to machine, in the main projectile bore in order to impart spin to the sub-projectile.

According to the present invention there is provided an artillery projectile comprising a main penetrator and a head penetrator, wherein the main penetrator comprises at its head a cylindrical housing which accommodates the head penetrator, the head penetrator being movable with respect to the main penetrator such that the head penetrator can assume a forward position in relation to the main penetrator at the end of the trajectory of the projectile so as to initiate penetration of a target, substantially without disturbing the trajectory of the main penetrator, the head penetrator being connected to the main penetrator by means of a telescopic link.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a sub-caliber projectile of the AP FS-DS type which is capable of attacking multiple targets, possibly active targets, and which is relatively easy to manufacture and of a lower cost than the already proposed rounds.

An embodiment of the invention may provide a projectile including a head penetrator, distinct from a main penetrator, which attacks the target first, before the main penetrator, but which follows a trajectory absolutely identical to that of the main penetrator.

An embodiment of the invention may have an increased penetration strength owing to an increased kinetic energy at the end of its trajectory.

In a development of the invention, the projectile includes a propellant charge in its forepart and the head penetrator includes a proximity detector in its ballistic nose cone, intended to actuate the propellant charge in the vicinity of the target.

In a further development, the telescopic link between the main penetrator and the head penetrator includes a first cylindrical sleeve hooped onto the head penetrator and, in its rear section a second cylindrical sleeve integral with a cylindrical bearing surface of the main penetrator and forming the housing in which the head penetrator can slide. The second sleeve includes in its fore-part a cylindrical stop intended to limit the head penetrator forwards travel in relation to the main penetrator.

According to a preferred variant, the proximity detector and the value of the propellant charge are determined in such a way that the impact of the head penetrator on the target occurs before the said head penetrator has reached its forward limit of travel in relation to the main penetrator.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be put into practice reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an AP-FS-DS projectile according to the invention at rest or at the beginning of its trajectory; Figure 2 shows the projectile at the end of its trajectory when the head penetrator is in a forward position in relation to the main penetrator; and Figure 3 shows the behaviour of the projectile upon impact with a target.

As regards Figure 1, the projectile comprises a long shaft to provide a main penetrator 1 made of a dense material. The main penetrator 1 has affixed thereto a tail unit 14 and a connecting device 15 intended to hold a discarding sabot (not shown) during the ballistic phase after its coming out of its gun.

The main penetrator 1 incorporates in its forepart a hollow cylindrical sleeve 5 forced around a cylindrical bearing surface 12' which has a smaller diameter than the remainder of the shaft. This sleeve 5 can be made of any material such as light alloy, steel or composite material., At its front end, this sleeve 5 in cludes a cylindrical opening limited by a flange 13 acting as a front stop for a head penetrator 2 which can slide within the internal hous ing 3 formed by the sleeve 5.

The head penetrator 2 is also made of a dense material such as tungsten or depleted uranium and includes the properly so-called penetrator 2 itself covered by a sleeve 4 made from light alloy, steel or composite material. The sleeve 4 secures the head pentrator 2 up to the base 16' of a ballistic nose cone 16 and it incorporates in its aft-part a collar 11 which cooperates, at the limit of its forward travel, with the flange 13 of the main penetrator sleeve 5. The two sleeves 4 and 5 act as a telescopic connecting system between the two penetrators 1 and 2.

The head penetrator 2 can be moved forward in relation to the main pentrator 1 by means of an explosive charge 6 housed in a recess 6' located axially on the front face of the main penetrator 1.

The charge 6 is actuated by a proximity detector 8 housed in the ballistic nose cone 16 of the head penetrator 2. The detector 8 ignites a primer 17 located at the rear of an axial channel 18 of the head penetrator 2, which channel 18 permits electrical linkage by wire between the detector 8 and the primer 17.

Preferably, the time constant of the proxim ity detector 8 will be calculated as a function of the explosive charge required for causing the head penetrator 2 to cover a distance slightly smaller than the length of the sleeve 5. This will provide that the impact on the target will occur when the head penetrator 2 is still in motion with respect to the main penetrator 1, before the collar 11 has been stopped by the flange 13 of the sleeve 5. In this way, the head penetrator 2 will have a maximum kinetic energy to attack the first layer of the selected target. When the target comprises active armor, the head penetrator 2 will actuate operation of the armor.

The described projectile operates as follows: At rest, and during the longest section of the trajectory, the head penetrator 2 is in its rear position shown in Fig. 1, resting on the front part of the main penetrator 1 with the primer 17 in contact with the explosive charge 6.

When the projectile gets close to the target, the proximity detector 8 is triggered and actuates the primer 17 which detonates the charge 6. The combustion gas of the charge 6 is then confined in the housing 3 and propels the head penetrator 2 forward, which comes into contact with the target before the end of its possible travel in the sleeve 5 (see Figure 2). The head penetrator 2 has then a maximum kinetic energy, as its absolute velocity is the sum of the velocity of the main penetrator 1 and that of the head penetrator 2 relative to the main penetrator 1.

Figure 3 shows that when the head penetrator 2 is in contact with the outer layer 20 of the target 19 pierced by the head penetrator 2, the latter can possibly deviate by an angle a from the trajectory of the main penetrator 1 and, due to the shock effect of such head penetrator deviation, the telescopic link between the two penetrators 1 and 2 is disrupted by rupture or bursting of sleeves 4 and 5. This rupture or bursting has no detrimental effect on the trajectory of the main penetrator 1 owing to the nature of the materials used for the manufacture of the sleeves 4 and 5, which are designed to break easily. Thus, the trajectory of the main penetrator 1 is not affected by the breakage of the first layer 20 of the target, and the penetrator 1 penetrates through the hole 21 made in the first layer 20 and can then pierce the following layer of the target.

As regards its production, the described projectile presents numerous advantages since its manufacture is simple and its operation (a single trajectory for both penetrators) precludes every ballistic concern with the head penetrator 2 per se.

The invention may be produced in different versions and, in particular, it may use various types of proximity detector 8: e.g. passive or active infra-red, magnetic, Doppler-effect, or any other type of detectoc. In the same way, the telescopic link between the two penetrators 1 and 2 may be subjected to detail modifications and still be covered by the appended

Claims

claims. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to medium or large-caliber artillery fire, particularly for use against multiple or active targets. CLAIMS

1. An artillery projectile comprising a main penetrator and a head penetrator, wherein the main penetrator comprises at its head a cylindrical housing which accommodates the head penetrator, the head penetrator being movable with respect to the main penetrator such that the head penetrator can assume a forward position in relation to the main penetrator at the end of the trajectory of the projectile so as to initiate penetration of a target, substantially without disturbing the trajectory of the main penetrator, the head penetrator being connected to the main penetrator by means of a telescopic link.

2. A projectile according to claim 1, which incorporates a propellant charge in the head of the main penetrator, for driving the head penetrator forwards with respect to the main penetrator.

3. A projectile according to claim 2, wherein the head penetrator incorporates in a ballistic nose cone thereof a proximity detector intended to actuate the propellant charge in the vicinity of a target.

4. A projectile according to any preceding claim, wherein the telescopic link/assembly between the main penetrator and the head penetrator includes a first cylindrical sleeve secured on the head penetrator and a second cylindrical sleeve secured on the main penetrator and forming the cylindrical housing, the telescopic link assembly incorporating a cylindrical stop intended to limit the forward travel of the head penetrator in relation to the main penetrator.

4. A projectile according to any preceding claim, wherein the telescopic link between the main penetrator and the head penetrator includes a first cylindrical sleeve secured on the head penetrator and a second cylindrical sleeve secured on the main penetrator and forming the cylindrical housing, the telescopic link incorporating a cylindrical stop intended to limit the forward travel of the head penetrator in relation to the main penetrator.

5. A projectile according to claim 4, wherein said stop comprises collars on the rear and front of the first and second sleeves respectively.

6. A projectile according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second cylindrical sleeve is integral with a cylindrical bearing surface of the main penetrator.

7. A projectile according to claim 3, or any of claims 4 to 6 appended to claim 3, wherein the proximity detector and the value of the propellant charge are determined in such a way that the impact of the head penetrator on the target will occur before the head penetrator has reached the end of its travel forward in relation to the main penetrator.

8. A projectile according to claim 3, or any of claims 4 to 7 appended to claim 3, wherein the proximity detector is an active or passive infra-red detector.

9. A projectile according to any preceding claim, which is a sub-caliber projectile of the AP-FS-DS type.

10. A projectile according to any preceding claim, which is designed for use against multilayer armor.

11. A projectile according to claim 10, which is designed for use against active armor such that the head penetrator will actuate the operation of the active armor.

12. An artillery projectile substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS New claims or amendments to claims filed on 19/12/86 Superseded claims 1,4 New or amended claims:

1. An artillery projectile comprising a main penetrator and a head penetrator, wherein the main penetrator comprises at its head a cylindrical housing which accommodates the head penetrator, the head penetrator being movable with respect to the main penetrator such that the head penetrator can assume a forward position in relation to the main penetrator at the end of the trajectory of the projectile so as to initiate penetration of a target, substantially without disturbing the trajectory of the main penetrator, the head penetrator being connected to the main penetrator by means of a telescopic link assembly.