Penetrator and sub-caliber projectile

Abstract

A penetrator and a sub-caliber ammunition or projectile accommodating said penetrator. The penetrator according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the penetrator has an interface in the front area. Via said geometric interface, a basic penetrator devised in according to the invention can be provided having different penetrator tips and completed to form an individual KE penetrator.

Claims

1. A penetrator for a projectile having a sabot and a fin assembly, the penetrator comprising: a base part, having a first interface projecting from an end of the base part; and an attachment part having a second interface, wherein the first interface is received in the second interface to interconnect the base part and the attachment part in a form- and/or force-fitting manner, wherein the first interface is formed directly in front of the sabot, and wherein a length of the first interface is 50% of a diameter of the penetrator at a location at which the first interface is received in the second interface.

2. The penetrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first interface is incorporated in a front region of the base part.

3. The penetrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment part is a penetrator tip.

4. The penetrator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the penetrator tip is tailored to individual targets.

5. The penetrator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base part and the penetrator tip are formed of tungsten heavy metals, tungsten carbide, high-strength steel, copper, depleted uranium, or tantalum.

6. The penetrator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the penetrator tip and the base part are different materials.

7. The penetrator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the penetrator tip is provided with at least one predetermined breaking point.

8. The penetrator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the penetrator tip is reinforced, and wherein the reinforcement is realized only in the front tip region.

9. The penetrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first interface and the second interface are configured as a threaded connection, as a bayonet connection, or as a snap connection.

10. The penetrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first interface and the second interface are connected with an adhesive.

11. The penetrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment part is one of a plurality of interchangeable attachment parts comprising: an attachment part having a penetrator tip for an SI target; an attachment part having a penetrator tip for an oblique target; and an attachment part having a penetrator tip for a reactive target, and wherein the interface is configured to interchangeably receive the attachment part having the penetrator tip for an SI target, the attachment part having the penetrator tip for an oblique target and the attachment part having the penetrator tip for a reactive target.

12. The penetrator according to claim 1, wherein the attachment part includes multiple penetrator tips of different length.

13. The penetrator according to claim 12, wherein the base part and the penetrator tips are modules that form the penetrator by attaching one of the penetrator tips to the base part.

14. The penetrator according to claim 1, wherein the attachment part includes multiple penetrator tips of different length, wherein the base part forms a shortened base penetrator, and wherein the base part and the penetrator tips are modules that form the penetrator by attaching one of the penetrator tips to the base part.

15. A projectile comprising: a sabot; a fin assembly; and the penetrator as claimed in claim 1.

16. A projectile comprising: a sabot; a fin assembly; and a penetrator, the penetrator comprising: a base part, the base part having a first interface projecting from an end of the base part which is directly in front of the sabot; and an attachment part having a second interface, wherein the first interface is received in the second interface to interconnect the base part and the attachment part in a form- and/or force-fitting manner, and wherein a length of the first interface is 50% of a diameter of the penetrator at a location at which the first interface is received in the second interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 1a-1c show a penetrator and diverse targets according to the prior art;

(3) FIGS. 2 and 2a-2c show a penetrator according to the invention; and

(4) FIGS. 3 and 3a-3c shows different interfaces and connection possibilities of the penetrator according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a penetrator 1 of a projectile 2 having a sabot 3 and a fin assembly 4 according to the prior art. The projectile 2, in particular the penetrator 1, are provided and correspondingly configured for different targets according to FIGS. 1a to 1c. These targets are semi-infinite (SI) targets 5, oblique targets 6 or reactive targets 7. Depending on the target 5, 6 or 7, the projectile 2 receives a penetrator 1 which is optimized for these targets.

(6) FIG. 2 shows the basic idea of the present invention.

(7) A penetrator 10 is separated into at least two parts 11, 12 and subdivided into a base part 11 and attachment part 12. The separation preferably occurs in the front region 13 of the penetrator 10 (FIG. 2). In this region 13, the penetrator 10 is provided with an interface 14. There thus results a shortened base penetrator 11 with a defined geometric interface 14 which ends directly in front of the sabot 3. The attachment parts 12 are adapted to this interface 14. The attachment parts 12 are for their part penetrator tips 15, 16, 17, as can be seen in FIGS. 2a to 2c. These penetrator tips 15, 16, 17 are tailored to the individual targets 5, 6, 7. For an SI target 5, a relatively long penetrator tip 15 is provided. Furthermore, the penetrator tip 16 for oblique targets 6 can be provided with at least one predetermined breaking point 16.1. This has the advantage that the penetrator 10 can be deformed unimpeded up to the predetermined breaking point 16.1 of the penetrator tip 16. The penetrator tip 17 against reactive targets 7 can also be reinforced, which means that the risk of breakage upon striking the target can be reduced. Here, the reinforcement can occur only in the front tip region 17.1.

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates various form- and force-fitting connections 20, 21, 22 which firmly interconnect, i.e. in a form- and/or force-fitting manner, the interface 14 of the base penetrator 11 and the interface 18 of the attachment part 12. In a preferred variant, the connection 20 is realized by a thread, with it being the case that a bayonet connection 22 according to FIG. 3c is simpler and thus more advantageous. However, in particular cases, a better adhesive connection can also be sufficient in order to firmly interconnect the base penetrator 11 and the attachment part 12 while maintaining the functionality. At least, an adhesive can support the connection between the base penetrator 11 and the attachment parts 12.

(9) The force fit is dependent on the ratio of the interface 14 of the base penetrator 11 and the length of the penetrator tip 15, 16, 17. However, it should be sufficient for the length of the interface 14, i.e. of the stub interacting with the attachment parts 12, to be selected to be 50% of the diameter of the penetrator 10.

(10) The shape of the penetrator tips 15, 16, 17 is not limited to those described; rather, it can be expanded as desired. Thus, a specific tip can be defined for each target or each tank.

(11) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.