Various embodiments of optimized subsonic projectiles are provided along with related methods. For example, one exemplary subsonic projectile can include an elliptical nose cone, a cylindrical body and a boattail with various design features that can be used in a subsonic ammunition cartridge where the subsonic projectile is stabile throughout at least a segment of a flight allowing for better accuracy, maintaining low drag, maximizing range and achieving desired performance while ensuring the projectile stays below the speed of sound and lowering a noise profile of projectile and a launcher firing the projectile.

A closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module for use in a projectile, such as a rocket, mortar round, or artillery round, fuses data from multiple built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope, and processes the data using a microprocessor through a custom quaternion extended Kalman filter to provide accurate state and orientation information about the projectile so as to accurately predict apogee. The module outputs a signal indicating apogee detection or prediction which they projectile uses to initiate fuze arming, targeting control, airbody transformation, maneuvering, flow effector deployment or activation, payload exposure or deployment, and/or other mission activity. Because the system and method of the invention does not rely on external environmental data to detect apogee, it need not use a pressure sensor and can be completely sealed in and closed without requiring access to air from outside the projectile for barometric readings.

A ballistic designed to be used with a launcher with a laser range finder that controls the operation of a variable velocity control valve located inside the ballistic. In one embodiment, designed to be used with a firing pin style launcher, the ballistic includes an internal compressed air source and an internal restrictor plate. The restrictor plate includes a plurality of holes that control the velocity of the compressed air in the ballistic. Located inside the ballistic is a drive motor coupled to the microprocessor on the launcher. The micro processor produces motor control signals that control the rotation position of a high/slow stop to selectively block or unblock holes formed in the restrictor plate and thereby control the velocity of compressed air against the projectile.

A projectile (14) for an ammunition round (10) for use with a small arms or light firearm comprises an elongated projectile body (16). The projectile body (16) has first and second axially opposed ends (18, 20) respectively and a cavity (20) extending there between. The cavity is able to hold a quantity of propellant (24). A plurality of seals (26) extend about an outer surface of the body (16). The seals (26) protrude radially from the body (16) and operate to form a substantial seal against an inner circumferential surface of a barrel (12) of the firearm. Two of the seals (26b and 26c) are mutually adjacent and spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the body to form a seal bound outer surface portion (36) of the body (16). One or more holes (38) are formed in the body (16) enabling fluid communication between the cavity (22) and the seal bound outer surface portion (36) of the body (16). This enables pressure equalization inside and outside of the cavity (22) about the seal bound outer surface portion (36) when the projectile (14) is travelling through the barrel (12).

A mechanically adaptable projectile includes, in one example embodiment, a projectile body, the body including structure adapted to secure thereto one of multiple projectile components, and multiple projectile components each sized to be releasably secured to the projectile body, each of the multiple projectile components structurally dissimilar from all others of the multiple projectile components.

A solid projectile for a firearm having a central cylindrical section defining a bearing surface and an integral, coaxial leading section tapered into a uniform conical surface, the apex at the distal end thereof projecting to a point or apex. The apex angle of the conical surface of the leading section of the projectile is within the range of 20-40 of arc.

Kits or sub-systems that include sensors to measure a projectile's condition at muzzle exit. The kits or sub-systems are coupled to ballistic calculators or fire control systems that calculate aiming and programming solutions to improve shot placement, reduced dispersion and improve terminal performance. Where airburst munitions are used, the projectile is programmed when reaching a programming station beyond the barrel and the projectile is programmed with a solution that adjusts the burst location based on the measured muzzle velocity. Sub-systems, processes and sub-routines optimize post-shot programming using certain non-linear methods that are incorporated into fire control systems and ballistic calculators. These non-linear sub-routines are useful in establishing the optimum terminal effect of such airburst projectiles. The sub-systems are used separately or are incorporated into the weapons, to reduce dispersion and improve the terminal effects of the projectiles.

Charged projectile assemblies include a housing and an electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field about at least a portion of the housing of the projectile. Cartridge assemblies for use with firearms include charged projectiles. Methods of charging a projectile include forming an electric field about at least a portion of a projectile and extending the electric field at least partially between a forward portion of the projectile and an aft portion of the projectile.

Charged projectile assemblies include a housing and an electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field about at least a portion of the housing of the projectile. Cartridge assemblies for use with firearms include charged projectiles. Methods of charging a projectile include forming an electric field about at least a portion of a projectile and extending the electric field at least partially between a forward portion of the projectile and an aft portion of the projectile.

A closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module for use in a projectile, such as a rocket, mortar round, or artillery round, fuses data from multiple built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope, and processes the data using a microprocessor through a custom quaternion extended Kalman filter to provide accurate state and orientation information about the projectile so as to accurately predict apogee. The module outputs a signal indicating apogee detection or prediction which they projectile uses to initiate fuze arming, targeting control, airbody transformation, maneuvering, flow effector deployment or activation, payload exposure or deployment, and/or other mission activity. Because the system and method of the invention does not rely on external environmental data to detect apogee, it need not use a pressure sensor and can be completely sealed in and closed without requiring access to air from outside the projectile for barometric readings.