A penetrator for a projectile, in particular a subcaliber kinetic energy penetrator, comprising a tail unit and a main core having a front part and a rear part, the tail unit being arranged on the rear part of the main core. A predetermined breaking point is formed between the front part and the rear part of the main core, and the material of the predetermined breaking point is designed to be mechanically less resilient that the rest of the main core.

The invention relates to a sabot (1) which comprises multiple sabot segments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). The sabot (1) or the sabot segments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) are characterized by having a structural design at an end (10) opposite the shooting direction such that a low degree of flexural rigidity is achieved at said end (10). A sabot (1) with three sabot segments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) is preferred. The sabot (1) or the sabot segments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) have a rear part (3) as a push part and a front part (4) as a pull part. In order to optimize the shape and weight, the front part (4) and the rear part (3) have recesses (5, 6) in the sabot (1) or in the sabot segments (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). Braces (8, 9) are integrated between the recesses (5, 6), or the recesses (5, 6) are introduced between braces (8, 9).

Nanocrystalline alloy penetrators and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, a munition comprises a nanocrystalline alloy penetrator. In certain embodiments, the nanocrystalline alloy has particular properties (e.g., grain size, grain isotropy, mechanical properties) such that the penetrator acts as a rigid body kinetic penetrator.

A projectile delivers a pellet payload to an increased range with increased accuracy. A two piece aerodynamically stable pusher consists of a body and tailpiece. This pusher fits into a standard 40 mm cartridge case by means of three sabots. To seal against combustion gases, a three piece split rotating band is employed.

A water penetrating blowgun dart is provided. The blowgun dart has a funnel removably attached to a tail end of the dart shaft so that upon contact with a water surface, the funnel moves from an engaged configuration to a disengaged configuration. The tail end may provide a slot for snugly receiving an eye, wherein the tail end and the eye have cooperating grooves so that when in the engaged configuration, the eye and tail end are secured with a filament that slightly protrudes from the flush outer surface of the shaft and eye. The protruding filament frictionally engages the funnel in the engaged configuration so that the funnel remains engaged with the shaft prior to hitting the water's surface.

A flechette for use with a gun barrel having a tapered bore with a diameter at the initial bore section greater than the diameter at the emergent bore. The flechette includes a body constructed of a ductile material and having an elongated axis aligned with the axis of the tapered bore when positioned in the load end of the bore. The body also includes a cylindrical bulkhead as well as a bourrelet that are axially spaced from each other along the flechette and have an outside diameter substantially the same as the diameter at the initial bore section of the tapered bore. An elongated boom is attached at the tail end of the body while a penetrator is attached at the forward end of the body. Upon launch, both the bulkhead and bourrelet are compressed radially inward by the bore reduction so that the body is substantially cylindrical upon exit from the discharge end of the bore.

Nanocrystalline alloy penetrators and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, a munition comprises a nanocrystalline alloy penetrator. In certain embodiments, the nanocrystalline alloy has particular properties (e.g., grain size, grain isotropy, mechanical properties) such that the penetrator acts as a rigid body kinetic penetrator.

The invention relates to a cartridge having a projectile secured to a case that contains a propelling charge and closed by a base. A device for igniting the propelling charge has at least two energetic igniter cords that extend between an initiating means secured to a rear part of the case and the projectile. In this cartridge, the cords are joined at their rear part so as to form a strand, and they are fastened by at least one fastening means secured to the cartridge, the strand being connected to the initiating means by a packing gland making it possible to immobilize the cords both radially and axially relative to the initiating means while keeping the cords tight between their fastening means and the initiating means.

To reduce the mass of a sabot having a pull and a push function, it is proposed that the sabot comprise mutually separate sabot parts, wherein at least one sabot part is configured such that it performs the pull function and at least one sabot part is configured such that it performs the push function. The sabot parts are nested. This can be implemented in the form of cylindrical nesting or in the form of tangential nesting. In the case of the cylindrical nesting, the outer sabot part encloses the inner sabot part along an interface. In the case of the tangential nesting, the sabot parts are divided into sabot subsegments. The latter are nested in alternating fashion in the tangential direction such that a pull-sabot subsegment and a push-sabot subsegment are nested in alternating fashion in the circumferential direction. To provide sufficient sealing, the sabot subsegments overlap one another.

The present invention provides a sabot (8) comprising a first material structure (12, 14) and a second material structure, wherein the first material structure is a lattice and wherein the second material structure is a solid. A munition (100) and a method of manufacturing a sabot are also provided.