Tuning saboted projectile performance through bourrelet modification

Abstract

Kinetic energy projectiles including sabots having stiffened bourrelets which tune and improve shot performance. Shot dispersion for the projectiles is decreased by reducing adverse dynamic perturbations imparted to the projectiles during projectile launch. Reducing dynamic perturbations is accomplished by better controlling interior ballistics by changing the stiffness of the sabot bourrelets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to saboted projectiles and, more particularly, to a method of improving the in-bore performance of kinetic energy projectiles. By better controlling the interior ballistic processes of the projectile, adverse dynamic perturbations to the projectile during launch are minimized. Most particularly, the in-bore performance of kinetic energy projectiles is improved through modification of the projectile's bourrelet, thus providing improved shot accuracy for the projectiles.2. Description of the Related ArtKinetic energy ammunition is comprised of two main parts: the projectile portion that flies down the gun tube; and the portion that remains in the gun or is combusted during firing (cartridge case, case base, base adapter and propellant). The projectile further comprises several parts including: the sabot; the obturator; the seal; and the sub-projectile penetrating rod. As such, the sabot is part...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The general objective of this invention is to change the stiffness of a saboted projectile's bourrelets to improve the in-bore performance of the projectile and thereby minimize dispersion with respect to the fire precision. The present invention has resulted in a 20% decrease in shot dispersion for certain saboted projectiles. It has been found that the performance of a projectile can be optimized by tuning the stiffness of the bore riding surfaces. This can be achieved by increasing or decreasing the stiffness of the bourrelets. To attain an increase in bourrelet stiffness, the present invention contemplates a variety of parts affixed to the sabot to provide a means for stiffening the bourrelet. Generally, these parts comprise inserts which are affixed to the sabot's bourrelet. Various embodiments of these inserts have been envisioned, including a segmented disk, spokes or ribs, and a solid ring, each of which can be affixed to the bourrelet to provide stiffening thereof The stiffness of the bore-riding surfaces can be decreased if necessary by machining material away from the bourrelets.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of tuning and improving the in-bore performance of saboted projectiles by changing the stiffness of the sabot's bourrelets.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of tuning and improving the in-bore performance of saboted projectiles which have already been produced and / or fielded.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of minimizing shot dispersion with respect to the fire precision for saboted projectiles by minimizing the projectile's transverse velocity and angular spin rates.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a saboted projectile having means for stiffening the bourrelets.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a segmented disk insert, spoke or rib inserts, or a solid ring insert, affixed to the sabot's bourrelet in a manner to provide stiffening of the bourrelet.

Problems solved by technology

Second, the sabot must support the sub-projectile during high axial acceleration and load during launch.

This means that any other part of the projectile (the sabot, obturator, and seals) is parasitic in nature.

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