GB778618A - Improvements in and relating to a self-propelled projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

778,618. Ammunition projectiles. SOC. NOUVELLE DES ETABLISEMENTS BRANDT. Feb. 24, 1956 [March 2, 1955], No. 5768/56. Classes 9 (1) and 9 (2). A self-propelled missile having a cylindrical body 1 and ogival nose 2 fitted with a fuze 3 for the explosive charge 4 which bears directly or through a pivot (not shown) against a partition 5 beyond which is a combustion chamber 6 containing a propellent charge 7 communicating with a nozzle 9. Tail fins 10 are pivotally mounted on the nozzle 9. A driving band comprising studs 12 inclined to the longitudinal axis XX is adapted to'engage rifling in the launcher. The projectile is so proportioned that the aerodynamic centre of thrust F is not more that 0.3 b, where b is the calibre, from the centre of gravity of the projectile. The fins 10 are inclined to the axis XX, the optimum inclination being estimated to equal the inclination of the resultant of the axial velocity and the gyratory velocity of the projectile when three-quarters of the propellant has burnt. In a modification, the fins are fixed and do not extend beyond the maximum diameter of the projectile. The studs 12 may be omitted, and rotation obtained by discharging the propellant gases through nozzles inclined to the axis XX. In Fig. 4, the fins are omitted, and the propellant housed in a re-entrant chamber from which the gases emerge through a nozzle 9c, studs 12c being used to produce rotation. The warhead may be completely filled with explosive or contain a hollow charge.