A bullet, having a longitudinal body on which is defined a set of radially spaced, longitudinally extending helical grooves corresponding to the rifling of a particular barrel and at least one circumferential drive band which intersects the set of helical grooves, to define a pressure retaining formation with a casing of a cartridge, in use.

A mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer defining an interior of the mortar, the metallic inner layer having a grid formed on an outer surface to define a plurality of metallic fragments separated by grooves; a polymer having first reinforcing fibers disposed within the grooves; and a polymer outer layer, the polymer outer layer having second reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. The grid can be a square grid to define square shaped metallic fragments. The polymer outer layer can include a pattern of dimples formed on an outer surface. The polymer outer layer can include a solid lubricant.

A mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer defining an interior of the mortar, the metallic inner layer having a grid formed on an outer surface to define a plurality of metallic fragments separated by grooves; a polymer having first reinforcing fibers disposed within the grooves; and a polymer outer layer, the polymer outer layer having second reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. The grid can be a square grid to define square shaped metallic fragments. The polymer outer layer can include a pattern of dimples formed on an outer surface. The polymer outer layer can include a solid lubricant.

An integrated propulsion and warhead system for an artillery round includes a propulsion, such as a solid rocket motor and/or an air-breathing jet engine, and an annular explosive concentrically arranged around at least a portion of the propulsion system. The integrated propulsion and warhead system is included in a propulsion section of the artillery round so that space in an adjacent guidance section is increased and the space allocation for the propulsion system and annular explosive is optimized.

An extended range projectile includes an outer shell, a center projectile body axially moveable from a stowed position to a deployed position within the outer shell, and a pusher plate assembly variably locked to an aft end of the outer shell. The pusher plate assembly includes a check valve disposed at an aft end of the pusher plate assembly, the check valve being moveable from a closed position to an open position. In the open position of the check valve, the check valve is configured to permit entry of a gunfire pressure, created in a barrel of a gun from which the extended range projectile is configured to be projected, into the pusher plate assembly such that, when the extended range projectile exits the barrel, the gunfire pressure moves the center projectile body from the stowed position to the deployed position and propels the extended range projectile.

A concatenated annular swing-wing tandem lift enhancer (CASTLE) is provided for augmenting aeronautical lift to a canister-launched missile. The CASTLE includes fore and aft housing sections and pluralities of mainstays, airfoils, wing grapples and tension supports. The fore and aft housing sections are disposed circumferentially around the missile along a longitudinal axis of symmetry. The front and rear mainstays are disposed angularly along each housing section. The airfoils stowed circumferentially around each the housing section. Each airfoil has an outer camber surface and an inner arc surface that provides leading and trailing edges ending at port and starboard tips. The wing grapples disposed on the inner arc surface. The supports connect the mainstays with corresponding the grapples such that the airfoils deploy radially outward and swing such that each leading edge faces forward in relation to the longitudinal axis. The supports can be flexible lanyards or else rigid struts.

A mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer; a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and at least one layer of metallic fragments disposed between the inner and outer layers, the layer of metallic fragments including a plurality of individual metallic fragments unconnected to each other. In a variation, the mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer, the metallic inner layer having a grid formed on an outer surface to define a plurality of metallic fragments separated by grooves; a polymer having first reinforcing fibers disposed within the grooves; and a polymer outer layer having second reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. In another variation, the mortar shell including a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and a metallic inner layer having a plurality of metallic fragments with a shape to interlock to each of the other and assembled together into the metallic inner layer.

A mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer; a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and at least one layer of metallic fragments disposed between the inner and outer layers, the layer of metallic fragments including a plurality of individual metallic fragments unconnected to each other. In a variation, the mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer, the metallic inner layer having a grid formed on an outer surface to define a plurality of metallic fragments separated by grooves; a polymer having first reinforcing fibers disposed within the grooves; and a polymer outer layer having second reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. In another variation, the mortar shell including a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and a metallic inner layer having a plurality of metallic fragments with a shape to interlock to each of the other and assembled together into the metallic inner layer.

An extended range projectile includes an outer shell, a center projectile body axially moveable from a stowed position to a deployed position within the outer shell, and a pusher plate assembly variably locked to an aft end of the outer shell. The pusher plate assembly includes a check valve disposed at an aft end of the pusher plate assembly, the check valve being moveable from a closed position to an open position. In the open position of the check valve, the check valve is configured to permit entry of a gunfire pressure, created in a barrel of a gun from which the extended range projectile is configured to be projected, into the pusher plate assembly such that, when the extended range projectile exits the barrel, the gunfire pressure moves the center projectile body from the stowed position to the deployed position and propels the extended range projectile.

The present disclosure concerns a bullet (1) configured to be propelled by a blast of a cartridge, the bullet comprising a main body (3) provided with an internal body cavity (7) and having a frontward section and a rearward section provided with an opening in fluid communication with the internal body cavity, the internal body cavity by means of the opening being capable of recovering a portion of gun gas resulting from the blast of the cartridge. The present disclosure further comprises a weapon having such a bullet, and a method for reducing drag from a bullet propelled out of a barrel of a weapon.