ZA200301618B

ZA200301618B - Charge of ammunition

Info

Publication number: ZA200301618B
Application number: ZA2003/01618A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Cornelius Van Zyl Nicholaas
Original assignee: Cornelius Van Zyl Nicholaas
Priority date: 2000-09-04
Filing date: 2003-02-27
Publication date: 2005-04-26
Also published as: WO2002021068A2; AU2001293319A1; WO2002021068A3

Description

CHARGE OF AMMUNITION

Technical Field

This invention relates to a charge of ammunition. More particularly it relates to such a charge suitable for a firearm which does not have a firing pin but a laser beam or the like for firing a charge of ammunition.

Background Art

A normal charge of ammunition for use in a small firearm comprises a hollow casing; a propellant in the form of an explosive charge in the casing; a projectile in one end of the casing and a primer in an opposite end of the casing. The primer usually comprises a metal case with an explosive material therein.

When such a charge of ammunition is used in a normal firearm, a trigger is pulled which causes a firing pin to strike into the primer. The primer contains a substance which ignites when the firing pin strikes into and deforms the primer.

This ignition causes the propellant to ignite or detonate and this propels the projectile through the barrel of the firearm

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative charge of ammunition. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the charge of ammunition may be suitable for use in a firearm wherein the mechanical firing pin is replaced by a beam of radiation such as a laser beam. Such a firearm is described in more detail in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/ZA00/00022 which is herein incorporated by reference.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the present invention a charge of ammunition comprises a hollow body; a propellant in the form of an explosive charge in the hollow body; an aperture extending into the hollow body; and a closure member for closing the aperture, the closure member being characterised therein that it is made of material for allowing a laser beam to pass through it and the material comprising at least one material of the group consisting of a ceramic material, a resinous material and a polymeric material. :

Typically the hollow body may comprise an enclosing wall member defining opposite ends. Preferably the enclosing wall member is cylindrically shaped.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the charge of ammunition also includes a projectile to be driven by the propellant. The projectile may be provided with a unique code or marking. Such a projectile can then be traced back to the purchaser of the charge of ammunition. The code or marking may comprise a unique traceable material in the projectile, or coding of magnetic material.

The projectile may also include means for self-propelling the projectile, thus turning it into a rocket. Such a projectile may include a hollow chamber including a second propellant that will ignite after the propellant of the round of ~~ * ammunition for driving the projectile, has ignited.

The shape, size and material of the projectile may vary to suit different needs such as soft projectiles (made of lead) to expand on impact; hard points (such as steel) to increase penetration; non-lethal projectiles such as rubber projectiles; gas-filled projectiles which may be used for riot control; dart type projectiles for immobilising animals or people; pellets or shot that spread when fired; frangible projectiles that spread on impact; and explosive projectiles.

In one embodiment of the invention the hollow body may comprise a casing which in use is received in a barrel of a firearm. The casing may comprise an enclosing wall member defining opposite ends; and a base extending over the one end of the wall member. The enclosing wall member may be cylindrically shaped. In one embodiment of the invention the end of the wall member opposite to the base may be closed. It may for example be closed to form a blank. Preferably a projectile is provided in the end of the wall member opposite to the base to close said end. Preferably the aperture extending into the casing is located in the enclosing wall, but preferably it is located in the base.

The casing may be made of any suitable and/or conventional material for making a casing of a normal round of ammunition. In one embodiment of the invention it may be of brass. In other embodiments the casing may be made of less pressure resistant material such as paper based material or polymeric material. The casing may also include conventional features such as rims and/or grooves for extracting the casing after firing.

In another embodiment of the invention wherein the charge of ammunition includes a projectile to be driven by the propellant, the projectile may be at least partly hollow to define the hollow body. In such cases it is not necessary to provide a casing separate from the projectile.

In yet another embodiment of the invention the hollow body may comprise the barrel of a firearm, the barrel defining opposite ends in the form of the muzzle and a rear end; the explosive charge being provided in the barrel towards the rearend; the aperture extending into the barre! being provided towards the rear end thereof; and the closure member closing said aperture. The barrel may comprise a cylindrical barrel wall; and a base extending over the rear end of the barrel. The aperture extending into the barrel may be located in the barrel wall, but preferably it is located in the base of the barrel. It will be appreciated thatin this embodiment of the invention no separate casing has to be provided for the charge of ammunition. 5

The propellant in the casing may comprise a conventional propellant used in a round of ammunition. In one embodiment of the invention the propellant may comprise B556/1 supplied by Somchem, a division of Denel (Proprietary)

Limited of South Africa.

In one embodiment of the invention the closure member may be mounted in the aperture extending into the hollow body. In one embodiment the aperture may become wider as it extends to the inside of the hollow body, and the aperture may be frustum shaped. The closure member is preferably correspondingly shaped to fit snugly into the aperture. In one embodiment of the invention the closure member may be frustum shaped.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the closure member may be provided over the aperture extending into the hollow body. The closure member may be located inside the hollow body. In one embodiment of the invention the closure member may be planar. In an alternative embodiment the closure member may include opposite first and second faces, the first face being received over the aperture and the second face facing into the hollow body, and the second face including a depression therein. A depression for receiving the closure member at least partly therein may be provided in the hollow body on the operatively inside defined by the hollow body, thereby to close the aperture when the closure member is received in the depression. In one embodiment of the invention the closure member may be generally spherically shaped and the depression may be curved to allow a snug fit of the : closure member into the depression.

The closure member may be in the form of a lens.

Preferably the closure member allows radiation other then a laser beam, such as that from Xenon tubes, to pass through it. Preferably the closure member is at least partly transparent, preferably it is fully transparent. In one embodiment 16 ofthe invention the closure member may be made of glass. Where the charge of ammunition is used in a firearm which does not include a firing pin but a beam of radiation to activate a round of ammunition, the closure member should preferably be made of a material that allows that radiation to pass through it.

The closure member should be sufficient strength to withstand the blast of the propellant in the hollow body when the charge of ammunition is in use fired, thereby to retain the aperture closed.

In one embodiment of the invention the closure member is operatively associated with a primary explosive substance in the hollow body which may or may not be different from the propellant, the primary explosive substance being in contact with the closure member. The primary explosive substance is associated with the propellant in use to ignite the propellant. In one embodiment of the invention the primary explosive substance may be coated onto the closure member to adhere to the closure member. In one embodiment of the invention the primary explosive substance may be adhered to the closure member by means of an adhesive. Alternatively the primary explosive substance may comprise a substance which was applied in liquid form to the closure member and then dried to adhere to the closure member. In one embodiment of the invention the primary explosive substance is different form the propellant. The primary explosive substance may comprise VH, supplied by

PMP a division of Denel (Proprietary) Limited of South Africa.

Preferably the primary explosive substance is a substance which ignites when a beam of radiation such as a beam of light or a laser beam, which beam is of sufficient strength, is directed onto it. In use the beam of sufficient strength will originate from a firearm which does not include a firing pin but a beam of radiation to activate the round of ammunition.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the propellant may be sensitive )

enough to ignite when a beam of radiation such as a beam of light or a laser beam, which beam is of sufficient strength, is directed onto it. In such cases a primary explosive substance will not be required.

In one embodiment of the invention a heating means may be associated with the closure member, which heating means in use heats up when a beam of radiation (such as a laser beam) is directed onto it thereby causing an explosive material in the casing to ignite. The heating means may comprise a material, alternatively or additionally it may comprise a device such as a photvoltaic cell.

A resistive wire, bridgehead or like device may also be associated with the photovoltaic cell or like device, which will heat up by a current produced by the photovoltaic cell or like device when a suitable beam of radiation is directed onto it.

The charge of ammunition may comprise shaped-charge ammunition wherein detonation waves or shock waves propel a projectile as opposed to the conventional gas expansion mechanism. Such a charge may include a space between the projectile and the propellant.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a charge of ammunition comprising a projectile; a chamber in the projectile with an opening; an explosive material in the chamber; and a closure member for closing the opening, the closure member being characterised therein that it is made of a material for allowing a laser beam to pass through it and that it comprises at least one material of the group consisting of a ceramic material, a resinous material and a polymeric material.

Examples

Without thereby limiting the scope of the invention, examples thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of a charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure4 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sectioned side view of yet another charge of ammunition according to the present invention;

In the accompanying drawings the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding parts.

The charges of ammunition of Figures 1 to 4 all include a casing similar to that used in a conventional round of ammunition. The charges of ammunition of

Figures 5 to 9 do not include a casing similar to that used in a conventional round of ammunition.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 the charges of ammunition 10, 20, 30 and 40 respectively each comprises a hollow body in the form of a hollow casing 11 defining a casing wall 12. A propellant 13 in the form of an explosive charge is provided in the casing 11. An aperture 14 extends through the casing wall 12 into the casing 11. A projectile 15 is mounted partly in the casing 11 to extend out of the casing 11.

The casing 11 comprises an enclosing wall member 16, which is cylindrically shaped. A base 17 extends over one end of the wall member 16 while the projectile 15 is mounted in the otherwise open end of the wall member 16.

Accordingly the base 17 and the projectile 15 are opposite to each other.

The aperture 14 extends through the base 17 of the casing 11. The casing wall 12 may be made of any suitable material such as brass.

The propellant 13 may comprise any conventional propellantused in a round of ammunition, such as B55 6/1 supplied by Somchem a division of Denel (Proprietary) Limited.

In each case a closure member 18, made of a ceramic material, is provided for closing the aperture 14. In use when a charge 10, 20, 30, or 40 is fired the closure member 18 prevents material (including gasses) on the inside of the casing 11 to escape through the aperture 14. The ceramic material of which the closure member 18 is made, comprises glass. The glass used is normal window glass and preferably it is of optical quality. The glass comprises a single layer. It is foreseen that the glass may comprise a laminated product comprising two (or more) layers of glass with a flexible layer sandwiched between them.

The closure member 18 is operatively associated with a primary explosive substance 19, which is different from the propellant 13. The primary explosive substance 19 is provided on the closure member and is in contact with the propellant 13. Preferably the primary explosive substance 19 adheres to the closure member 18 and preferably it is in line with the aperture 14. The primary explosive substance may comprise VH, supplied by PMP a division of Denel (Proprietary) Limited. VH, is in liquid form and in use it is applied to the inner surface of the closure member 18 where it is allowed to dry.

Referring now to Figure 1 only, the aperture 14 is frustum shaped becoming wider as it extends to the inside of the casing 11. The closure member 18 is of a similar configuration and fits snugly into the aperture 14 to close it off.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the aperture 14 is cylindrically shaped and the closure member 14 is provided on the inside of the casing 11 to extend over the aperture 14. The closure members 14 fit snugly against the inside of the bases 17. In Figure 4 the closure member 14 comprises a planar disc of 4mm thickness. The closure member 14 of Figure 2 includes a hollow face 20 which faces into the casing.

Referring now to Figure 3 the casing 11 includes a curved depression 21 on the inside of the base 17. The depression 21 is generally hemispherical and the closure member 14 is generally spherical to fit snugly into the depression 21.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 9 the charges of ammunition 50, 60, 70,80 and 90 do not include a casing 11 as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and can be considered to be caseless. In these cases the propellant 13 and projectile 15 is provided inside a barrel 22 of a firearm. The barrel 22 in each case comprises a cylindrically shaped barrel wall 23 and opposite ends in the form of a muzzle 24 and a rear end 25. The rear end 25 has a base 26 extending over it and an aperture 27 extends through said base 26 into the barrel 22. The closure members 18 are made of glass and in use close the apertures 27. In Figures 5 to 8 each closure member 18 comprises a planar glass disc which is 4mm thick.

In Figure 9 the closure member 18 comprises a hollow disc. The primary explosive substance 19 is adhered to each closure member 18 in the same way as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. ltis foreseen that a propellant in place of the propellant 13 may be provided which is sensitive enough in use to ignite when a beam of radiation such as laser beam is directed onto it.

The projectile 15 of Figure 5 is solid. The projectiles 15 of Figures 6 to 8 are hollow and the propellant 13 is provided in the hollow body or chamber 28 defined in each projectile 15. The closure member 18 seals the propellant 13in the hollow body in the projectile 15.

Referring to Figure 5 and 9, the hollow body of the charge of ammunition 50 and 90 respectively is provided by the barrel 22, with the aperture 27 extending

Co 10 into the hollow body. ’

Referring now to Figure 7 only, the projectile is elongate and may include flutes or grooves [not shown] or like means to aid stability in flight. The hollow body 28 is elongate and the propellant 13 may be replaced with another propellant, which burn or detonate at different rates. The part of the propellant in contact with the primary explosive substance 19 may have a rapid burning rate, creating sufficient gas pressure to expel the projectile 15 from the barrel 22 at a velocity that will ensure stability. The remainder of the propellant may have a slower burning rate which will create a thrust that will propel the projectile 15 in the manner of a rocket.

Referring now to Figure 8 only, the projectile 15 includes a chamber 29 filled with an explosive substance 30 which is in communication with the hollow body 28 by means of a conduit 31. In this case the propellant 13 may comprise a propellant which continues to burn after the projectile leaves the barrel 22.

When all the oropellant 13 has been consumed, a flash of heat will be conducted along the conduit 31 to ignite the explosive substance 30 causing the projectile 15 to explode and thereby fragmenting the projectile 15. The substance 30 may also release gas used for riot control.

Referring now to Figure 9 only, the projectile 15 is hollow and a space 32 is

Ce 10 provided between the projectile 15 and the propellant 13. Upon ignition ofthe propellant 13 or like material, shock or detonation waves are created which will act on the projectile to disintegrate it into particles that are propelled from the barrel 22. This charge of ammunition 90 comprises shape-charged ammunition.

A un-fired projectile 15 of Figures 5to 9 may be kept sealed in it position in the barrel 22 by introducing a composition such as wax or a wax-like composition (preferably a microcrystalline wax) of suitable melting point and viscosity into the barrel 22. Such a composition may also lubricate the passage of the projectile through the barrel 22.

The charges of ammunition of figures 1 to 9 are marked at the time of manufacture. The marketing systems currently employed are all post-

manufacture; a projectile is made in the conventional way and then marked by inscribing or stamping a number/code on it, or a marked/coded item is inserted into the body of the projectile. Any mark or code applied or inserted after manufacture can be changed or removed.

During manufacture of the projectiles described herein, a small quantity of a foreign substance with known properties is added to the material used for the making of the projectiles. This foreign substance may be in the form of magnetic particles that can be coded according to a predetermined programme ~~ 10 in small batches. Or the foreign substance may contain radio-active particles introduced in small controlled batches. Different foreign substances may be introduced in different concentrations during manufacture. Encoded microchips or transponders may further be mixed in during casting or forming of a projectile.

In use the charges of ammunition of Figures 1 to 9 are for use in a firearm which includes means for providing a beam of radiation to activate the propellant in the said charges of ammunition. The beam of radiation preferably comprises a laser beam which laser beam replaces the firing pin in a normal firearm. Such a firearm is described in detail in patent application no.

PCT/ZA00/00022. In use the laser beam (or other radiation) will be directed onto the closure member 18 through the aperture 27 or 14. The energy of the laser beam will cause the primary explosive substances 19 to ignite which in turn will detonate the propellant 13, causing the projectile 15 to be driven through the barrel of the firearm.

It is envisaged that the charges of ammunition described herein will be convenient to use in that the different closure members provide a proper seal and will protect blow back of gasses. All the gas created when the propellant is ignited is thus used to propel the projectile. This is especially true for the charges of ammunition shown in figures 5 to 9.

CL - : 3

The closure members could also be formed to act as lenses to focus a radiation bean such as a laser beam. it will be appreciated that many variations in detail are possible without thereby departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A charge of ammunition comprising a hollow body; a propellant in the form of an explosive charge in the hollow body; an aperture extending into the hollow body; and a closure member for closing the aperture, the closure member being characterised therein that it is made of material for allowing a laser beam to pass through it and the material comprising at least one material of the group consisting of a ceramic material, a resinous material and a polymeric material.

2. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 1 in which the hollow body comprises an enclosing wall member having opposite ends.

3. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosing wall member is cylindrically shaped.

4 A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the charge of ammunition also includes a projectile to be driven by the propellant.

5. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 4 in which the projectile is provided with a unique code or marking.

6. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 5 in which the marking or code is a foreign substance included in the projectile.

7. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 6 in which the foreign substance is included in the projectile in a predetermined concentration for each projectile to uniquely mark different projectiles.

8. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 6 in which the foreign substance is a magnetic material.

9. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 6 in which the foreign substance is included in projectiles in different patterns to uniquely identify different projectiles.

10. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which the coding or marking is a transponder included in the body of the projectile.

11. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the projectile includes means for self-propeliing the projectile, thus turning it into a rocket.

12. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 11 in which the a projectile includes a hollow chamber including a second propellant that will ignite after the propellant of the round of ammunition for driving the projectile, has ignited.

13. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 12 in which the hollow chamber is in communication with the hollow body by means of a conduit in the projectile. "10 ©

14. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claims 12 or 13 in which the second propellant fragments the projectile upon ignition.

15. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claims 12 or 13 in which the second propellant releases a gas for use in crowd control.

15 .

16. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is a soft projectile so that it will expand on impact.

17. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is made of hard material to increase penetration on impact.

18. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is a non-lethal projectile.

19. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 18 in which the projectile is made of a plastics or a rubber material.

20. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is a gas-filled projectile for use in crowd or riot control.

21. A charge of ammunition as claim in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which dart type projectiles for immobilising animals or people.

22. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile includes pellets or shot that spread out when fired.

23. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is a frangible projectile that spreads out on impact.

24. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 in which the projectile is an explosive projectile.

25. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the hollow body comprises a casting which in use is received in a barrel of a firearm.

26. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 25 in which the casting comprises an enclosing wall member defining opposite ends; and a base extending over the one end of the wall member.

27. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 26 in which the enclosing wall member is cylindrically shaped.

28. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 26 or 27 in which the end of the wall member opposite to the base is closed to form a blank.

29. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 28 in which the projectile is located in the end of the wall member opposite to the base to close said end.

30. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 28 or 29 in which the aperture extending into the casing is located in the enclosing wall.

31. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 30 in which the aperture extending into the casing is located in the base of the enclosing wall.

32. Acharge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the claims 25to 31 in which the casing is made of any suitable or conventional material for making a casing of a normal round of ammunition.

33. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 32 in which the casing is made of brass.

34. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 32 in which the casing is made of a paper based material.

35. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 32 in which the casing is made of a polymeric material.

36. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the claims 25t0 31 in which the casing has rims and/or grooves for extracting the casing from a firearm after firing.

37. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 1 including a projectile to be driven by the propellant, the projectile being at least partly hollow.

38. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 1 in which the hollow body comprises the barrel of a firearm, the barrel defining opposite ends in the form of the muzzle and a rear end; the explosive charge being provided in the barrel towards the rear end; the aperture extending into the barrel being provided towards the rear end thereof; and the closure member closing said aperture.

39. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 38 in which the barrel may comprise a cylindrical barrel wall; and a base extending over the rear end of the barrel.

40. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any of the claims 38 to 39 in which the aperture extending into the barrel is located in the barrel wall.

41. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 40 in which the aperture extending into the barrel is located in the barrel wall in the base of the barrel.

42. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is mounted in the aperture extending into the hollow body.

43. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the aperture widens as it extends into the hollow body.

44, A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the aperture is frustum shaped.

45. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is complimentary shaped to fit snugly into the aperture.

46. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 41 in which the closure member extends over the aperture extending into the hollow body.

47. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 46 in which the closure member is located inside the hollow body.

48. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is planar.

49. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 47 in which the closure member has opposite first and second faces, the first face being received over the aperture and the second face facing the hollow body and the second face including a depression therein.

50. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the hollow body includes a depression on its inside for receiving the closure member at least partially therein to close the aperture when the closure member is received in the depression.

51. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is spherically shaped.

52. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 50 in which the depression is curved to allow a snug fit of the closure member in the depression.

83. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is a lens.

54. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is at least partially transparent.

55. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is made of glass.

56. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is made of a material that allows radiation to pass through it.

57. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure member is operatively associated with a primary explosive substance that is in contact with the closure member.

88. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance is coasted on the closure member.

59. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the primary explosive substance is the same substance as the explosive charge.

60. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance is associated with the propellant in use to ignite the propellant.

61. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance is adhered to the closure member by means of an adhesive.

62. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance comprises a substance which was applied in liquid form to the closure member and then dried to adhere to the closure member.

63. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance associated with the closure member is different from the propellant.

64. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a primary explosive substance associated with the closure member comprises VH, supplied by PMP a division of Denel (Proprietary) Limited of South Africa.

65. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of claims 57 to 64 in which the primary explosive substance is a substance which ignites when a beam of radiation such as a beam of light or a laser beam, which beam is of sufficient strength, is directed onto it.

66. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 56 in which the propellant is sensitive enough to ignite when a beam of radiation such as a beam of light or a laser beam, which beam is of sufficient strength, is directed onto it.

67. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims in which a heating means is associated with the closure member, which heating means in use heats up when a beam of radiation is directed onto it thereby causing an explosive material in the casing to ignite.

68. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 67 in which the heating means is a voltaic cell.

69. A charge of ammunition as claimed in claim 68 which the voltaic cell includes a resistive element.

70. A charge of ammunition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the charge of ammunition comprises shaped charged ammunition wherein detonation waves or shock waves propel the projectile, with a space between the projectile and the propellant.

71. A charge of ammunition comprising a projectile; a chamber in the projectile with an opening; an explosive material in the chamber; and a closure member for closing the opening, the closure member being characterised therein that it is made of a material for allowing a laser beam to pass through it, the material comprising at least one material of the group consisting of a ceramic material, a resinous material and a polymeric material.