Fin-stabilized ammunition
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
InventorsGuy H. Henry, Donald E. Dillard, Rao Yalamanchili, Dennis J. Conway, Rick D. Wright, Gary C. Fleming, Alan N. Cohen, Roger E. Joinson, Gene Venable, Thomas Doris, Albert S. Tatka, Jr.
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Abstract
Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.
Claims6
A method of reengineering a configuration of fin-stabilized discarding sabot with tracer projectile for firing from a given barreled weapon of given caliber (C), from an initial configuration to an improved configuration, wherein:
- when fired from said weapon with a first muzzle velocity of between 1300 and 1700 m/s the projectile achieves a steady state spin rate of less than 200 rps in said initial configuration, the method comprising:
- reengineering of the configuration of the fin blades of said projectile so that when fired from said weapon with a second muzzle velocity within 5% of said first muzzle velocity, the projectile achieves a steady state spin rate (SSSR) within lower and upper limits respectively defined by the lines:
- (SSSR−340)/(C−25)=(99−SSSR)/(120−C);
- and
- (SSSR−420)/(C−25)=(122−SSSR)/(120−C);
- wherein SSSR is in rps and C is in mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.