Sub projectile or flechette launch system

Abstract

An explosive flechette launching system which includes a central core expive driver having stacked coaxially thereabout a plurality of disc plates which have layered and sandwiched therebetween for radial launching a multiplicity of flechettes. In one embodiment, the flechettes are oriented and pointed in a radial direction and each are provided with divergent tail piece which is releasably fitted into a mating recess in a driver piston abutting said explosive driver. The fin assembly is provided with a central bore and is slidably carried by the flechette body so that when disposed in said launching system, the fin assembly is positioned at the pointed end thereof and supported by wedge supports along the fins and intermediate the disc plates. The entire assembly is protectively encapsulated or covered with a thin membrane or skin. The explosive driver is designed to provide or generate a radial plane, high pressure wave for launching the flechettes. In the other embodiment the flechettes are oriented, between the plates, transverse to the direction of flight or side launch to provide a relatively large surface area against which the explosive energy can act.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.