A projectile with a payload protection mechanism protects, prior to and during firing, a fragile payload, where the payload must be positioned forward in the nose of the projectile, within a frangible ogive which provides little protection to rough handling, at time of downrange function. The payload protection mechanism allows the payload to move axially within the projectile, and initially slid rearward in the more robust metal body of the projectile. The payload is retained within the body by a locking and release mechanism, until the launching of the projectile triggers (by environmental forces such as setback or spin) the release of a locking and release mechanism. Unlocking the mechanism allows the payload to slide forward within the projectile into the ogive so the payload can function as required.

A high impact strength lighted nock assembly for an arrow that is activated when the arrow is fired with a bowstring. The lighted nock assembly includes a nock molded from a high impact strength, transparent polymeric material containing at least 10% by weight reinforcing fibers. The nock includes a head configured to engage with the bowstring and a shank configured to couple with a rear end of the arrow. The shank includes a recess extending in a distal end of the shank toward the head. A light assembly including a light emitting device is located in the recess in the shank that is electrically coupled to a battery. A switch is electrically coupled to the light emitting device and the battery that is triggered when the arrow is tired to activate the light emitting device.

A tracking device is configured to detach from a launched projectile to remain in an animal when the projectile proceeds completely through the animal. The tracking device can be attached to the end of an arrow shaft and provide the nock of the arrow. A decelerator such as a barb, an offset fin, or a reverse helical projection is provided to aid in detachment of the tracking device from the arrow shaft as it passes through the animal. The tracking device remains embedded in the animal so that the animal can be tracked instead of the arrow.

A smart round of ammunition includes a casing, a primer disposed at a bottom portion of the casing, a projectile mounted at a top portion of the casing and a propellant disposed within an interior portion of the casing between the projectile and primer. The primer includes a piezo generator transducing a mechanical force received at a firing pin portion of the primer into a stored charge, a switch coupling and decoupling a spark gap between the stored charge and the propellant, and a wireless sensor activating the switch responsive to a digital signal received from a component external to the casing. The activation permits a discharge of the stored charge into the spark gap and therefore detonates the propellant.

Disclosed herein is a grenade with a plurality of independently detachable carpel segments each containing a charge and independently detonated from other carpel segments. The grenade may include a head section with a triggering mechanism, and a modular hollow core with a rod having an upward mechanical bias towards the head section, which may include a safety pin, lever, and pivot. When the pin is pulled, a lever can be released after timed delay, and the release of the lever allows the rod to advance upward, which triggers strike pins that strike a primer which ignites a propellent that ejects a carpel segment from the core. The propellent simultaneously ignites a fuse in the body of the carpel segment, and the fuse triggers a detonation of the main charge in the carpel. Timed delays on the fuse can be used to cause the carpel segments to detonate at different times.

Disclosed herein is a grenade with a plurality of independently detachable carpel segments each containing a charge and independently detonated from other carpel segments. The grenade may include a head section with a triggering mechanism, and a modular hollow core with a rod having an upward mechanical bias towards the head section, which may include a safety pin, lever, and pivot. When the pin is pulled, a lever can be released after timed delay, and the release of the lever allows the rod to advance upward, which triggers strike pins that strike a primer which ignites a propellent that ejects a carpel segment from the core. The propellent simultaneously ignites a fuse in the body of the carpel segment, and the fuse triggers a detonation of the main charge in the carpel. Timed delays on the fuse can be used to cause the carpel segments to detonate at different times.

A projectile having a projectile body for holding a penetrator, a projectile rear, and a projectile ogive. The projectile body has a narrowed point, on which the penetrator can be supported. The narrowed point results in reliable breaking open of the projectile body when the projectile hits a target.

An autonomous weapon system for improved guidance of a projectile for homing a target includes a guided projectile including at least one sensor and a carrier projectile and at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit including a transmitter for communication via light. The system uses emitted light for both positioning and communication of target coordinates which provides an accurate and cost effective system for combatting point and surface targets by indirect fire.

A projectile for use in a shooting application is disclosed. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a base. The projectile also includes a body coupled to the base, wherein the body is hollow and is used to contain a payload material tailored for a specific shooting application. The projectile further includes a threaded tip coupled to the body. The threaded tip has a stem and a threaded portion, and is threaded to body to be removably coupled to the body. The threaded tip is made using a tip material tailored for the specific shooting application.

An electronics ordnance delivery system includes an electronics component that is to be delivered into a target. The electronics component is enveloped by a protective housing that assists in the delivery of the electronics component payload. The protective housing is made of an electronically-conductive material such that it can function as an antenna for the transmission of signals by a transmitter component of the electronics component.