Munition and logistics concept for, in particular, artillery projectiles

Abstract

A uniform projectile casing which is utilized for projectiles with different ranges. A projectile of relatively short range can in this case be optimized with regard to payload, whereas a projectile with the relatively long range is subjected to a range optimization, with a reduction in payload. The payload of a projectile of relatively long range is generally lower in relation to a projectile with relatively short range. The artillery projectiles have a projectile casing of equal size for the projectiles of different range. To create an artillery projectile, for example 155 mm, a uniform payload-optimized 30 km projectile casing) is used, from which 40 km projectiles can be generated (produced, assembled) by means of a reduction in payload. The range is selected and defined by mutually different projectile bases. The artillery projectile has multiple modular parts which are assembled in order to create the artillery projectile.

Claims

1. A munitions construction kit for artillery projectiles of varying range, the munitions construction kit comprising: at least one uniform projectile casing; at least one projectile base with a base drag reducing gas generator and at least one projectile base without the base drag-reducing gas generator; at least two payloads having different lengths, each of the at least two payloads being self-enclosed units that are insertable into the uniform projectile casing; and a projectile ogive, wherein during construction of the artillery projectiles, the munitions construction kit allows for selection of either the at least one projectile base with the base drag-reducing gas generator or the at least one projectile base without the base drag-reducing gas generator as well as selection of one of the at least two payloads in order to modify ranges of the artillery projectiles.

2. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projectile casing is a one-part or a multi-part structure.

3. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projectile base is adapted to be fastened to a projectile tail of the projectile casing.

4. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a projectile with a shorter range is adapted to be payload-optimized and a projectile with a greater range is adapted to be range-optimized.

5. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two payloads include at least one insensitive high explosive, a luminous, an effect or a smoke body.

6. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in the case of an explosive projectile, IHE explosive inserts of varying length are provided as the at least two payloads.

7. The munitions construction kit as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in the case of a smoke projectile with a shorter range, at least one more of the smoke body is insertable into the projectile casing than in a projectile of a greater range.

8. The munitions construction kit according to claim 1, further comprising a detonator.

9. The munitions construction kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least two payloads having the different lengths include two payloads formed of a same material but having the different lengths or two payloads formed of different materials and having the different lengths.

10. A logistics concept for a projectile, comprising: individually created storage groups for independent construction kit parts of a munitions construction kit, the independent construction kit parts including at least one uniform projectile casing, at least one projectile base with a base drag-reducing gas generator and at least one projectile base without the drag-reducing gas generator, at least two payloads having different lengths where each of the at least two payloads are self-enclosed units that are insertable into the uniform projectile casing, and a projectile ogive.

11. The logistics concept as claimed in claim 10, wherein the construction kit parts are stored individually during manufacture or stored individually with users.

12. The logistics concept as claimed in claim 10, wherein the construction kit parts are GPS checked and monitored.

13. The logistics concept as claimed in claim 10, wherein, at the request of a user, a desired projectile is assembled and supplied to the user at a desired handover location in a timely manner.

14. The logistics concept as claimed in claim 10, wherein a quantity which is defined by a user is present in a vicinity of the user, and further quantities, as a consumer quantity, are stored in a logistics warehouse.

15. The logistics concept as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the event of a delivery of the construction kit parts from a logistics warehouse, a remanufacture of the construction kit parts is triggered.

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) FIG. 1 shows a one-part projectile casing for an artillery munition with two different projectile bases in a sectional representation,

(3) FIGS. 2a to 2e show payload inserts as an inner structure in a sectional representation,

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b show the projectile casing from FIG. 1 with a payload-optimized or a range-optimized inner structure as an IR/visual artillery luminous projectile,

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b show the projectile casing from FIG. 1 with a payload-optimized or a range-optimized inner structure as an artillery smoke projectile, and

(6) FIGS. 5a and 5b show the projectile casing from FIG. 1 with a payload-optimized or a range-optimized inner structure as an artillery explosive projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) There is represented in FIG. 1 a projectile casing 1, as a uniform projectile casing, for an artillery projectile, for example 155 mm, with a shorter range, e.g. 30 km, and longer range, e.g. 40 km (FIGS. 3-5). Projectile casing 1 is preferably formed in one part, but can also be formed in several parts.

(8) Projectile casing 1 can be closed off at the tail side 2 (projectile tail) by a projectile base 11 or 21. Projectile base 11 has no gas generator (boat tail), while projectile base 21 comprises a gas generator 22 (base bleed).

(9) Various payload components 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are highlighted in FIGS. 2a)-e) which can form different artillery projectiles in accordance with the required function of the artillery munition (not represented in greater detail).

(10) Two IHE explosive inserts 30, 31 of different lengths are depicted in FIGS. 2a) and 2b), for example an IHE explosive charge 30 with 10 kg charge and an IHE explosive charge 31 with 8 kg charge.

(11) In FIG. 2c), payload 32 comprises several RP smoke bodies, while in FIGS. 2d) and 2e) payload component 34, 35 exhibits light sources (active bodies) which generate light in the IR or visual range.

(12) According to the new munition concept, the artillery projectiles desired by the user can thus be assembled individually in particular prior to use with these components or construction kit parts. The user can thus aim for a payload-optimized or range-optimized artillery projectile 40-45.

(13) If projectile casing 1 is in one part, the payload is introduced from tail side 2 of projectile casing 1. If projectile casing 1 is in multiple parts, the payload can be inserted.

(14) In order to create a payload-optimized smoke munition 40, i.e. with shorter range, e.g. 30 km, a payload 32 with, for example, 7 RP smoke bodies (smoke masses) can be inserted into projectile casing 1. Projectile casing 1 is terminated here at the tail side by a projectile base 11 without gas generator.

(15) If, however, the user desires a range-optimized smoke munition 41, i.e. with longer range, e.g. 40 km instead of 30 km, projectile casing 1 bears a payload 36 with, for example, 6 RP smoke bodies (smoke masses). A projectile base 21 with gas generator 22 can then be attached, for example screwed on at the tail side 2.

(16) The user has the same possibility of selection in order to create a range-reduced or range-increased luminous projectile 42, 43. Here, either payload 34 or payload 35 is fitted into projectile casing 1. Adjustment of the max. range is then also carried out here by means of selected projectile base 11 or 21. For a shorter range (e.g. 30 km), projectile base 11, for a longer range (e.g. 40 km) projectile base 21 is fastened to projectile tail 2 of projectile casing 1.

(17) For a payload-optimized explosive projectile 44 (also explosive training projectile), longer or heavier explosive insert 30 is incorporated into projectile casing 1. Projectile tail 2 is terminated by projectile base 11, i.e. without gas generator (FIG. 5a). If, however, a range-optimized explosive projectile 45 (also explosive training projectile) is required, shorter or lighter explosive insert 31 is incorporated into projectile casing 1. For this embodiment, projectile tail 2 is terminated by projectile base 21 with gas generator (FIG. 5b).

(18) At the nose side, a mouth hole 7 in projectile casing 1 accommodates a projectile ogive 5 which can have one part as well as several parts. A detonator 6 is located in projectile ogive 5 which can be used for each of artillery projectiles 40-45. This can be a proximity detonator, an impact detonator, etc.

(19) The above-mentioned munition concept is not restricted to an artillery projectile in the high-caliber range (105 mm, 155 mm). It can, as desired, also be used in the low-caliber and medium-caliber range.

(20) 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.