PROJECTILE HAVING A PYROTECHNIC EXPLOSIVE CHARGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a projectile (1, 8, 9) having at least one payload (5) or explosive charge in the projectile body (2, 7, 10), preferably in the medium caliber range, the payload (5) being integrated into the projectile body (2, 7, 10) in the form of a pyrotechnic charge. The payload (5) can preferably be enclosed and sealed by a core (6, 14) which preferably consists of metal or plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the pyrotechnic payload (5) is disposed behind a penetrator (11) in the projectile body (10), the payload (5) thus being located between the penetrator (11) and the projectile body (10).

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A projectile having at least one projectile body and a payload, wherein the payload is at least a pyrotechnic composition.

13. The projectile as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pyrotechnic payload is non-detonatable.

14. The projectile as claimed in claim 12, which is characterized by a core which encloses and seals the pyrotechnic payload.

15. The projectile as claimed in claim 14, wherein the core is made of a material which has a lower density than the projectile body.

16. The projectile as claimed in claim 15, wherein the material is a metal or a plastic.

17. The projectile as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pyrotechnic payload is introduced between the projectile body and a penetrator.

18. The projectile as claimed in claim 17, wherein the pyrotechnic payload is disposed partially or completely about the penetrator.

19. The projectile as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pyrotechnic payload is disposed in a ring-shaped manner about the penetrator.

20. The projectile as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pyrotechnic payload is a material for producing a fire, fog, flash and/or bang effect.

21. The projectile as claimed in claim 12, wherein the projectile body has predetermined breaking points on the circumference.

22. A method of target engagement using a projectile according to claim 12, the method comprising: producing a shockwave upon impact of the projectile for the formation of splinters or fragments of the projectile body at least, and initiating the pyrotechnic payload by the initiated shockwave, so that the pyrotechnic payload reacts, wherein the expanded gases of the pyrotechnic payload further accelerate the casing fragments of the projectile body surrounding them.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is to be explained in greater detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment with drawing. In the drawing:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a first variant of a projectile according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a further variant of the projectile,

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a third variant of the projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In an embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a projectile 1 comprises a projectile body 2 which comprises a projectile tip 3, also referred to as an ogive or cap, at the front end, and a projectile tail 4 at the rear end. A pyrotechnic payload 5 is introduced in the projectile body 2. This may be positionally fixed by a plate, an epoxy resin 16, or the like. Alternatively, the pyrotechnic payload 5 may be incorporated in the projectile tip 3.

[0028] An alternative is shown in FIG. 2. The pyrotechnic payload 5 is incorporated between the core 6 and a projectile body 7 of a projectile 8. The core 6 is preferably made of a metal or a plastic.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a projectile 9 having a projectile body 10 and a penetrator 11. The projectile body 10 in this case also has a projectile tip 3 at the front end and a projectile tail 4 at the rear end. The penetrator 11 may, for its part, be breakable. The pyrotechnic payload 5 is incorporated between the projectile body 10 and the penetrator 11. In the preferred embodiment, the pyrotechnic payload 5 is preferably disposed in a ring-shaped manner about the penetrator 11. The payload 5 in this case may cover the penetrator 11 completely, but at least partially. The payload 5 is enclosed by a core 14 and thereby sealed. The core 14 in this case sits on the penetrator 11 at least partially. The core 14 preferably has a bore 15 into which the penetrator 11 can project. This bore 15 is preferably adapted to the outer geometry of the penetrator 11. The core 14 itself is preferably made of a metal or a plastic. The penetrator 11 can be positionally fixed in the projectile 9, or in the projectile body 10, by the core 14. Alternative mountings for fixing the penetrator 11 are likewise possible.

[0030] Projectile bodies 2, 7, 10 and projectile tips 4 may be connected to one another via a screw connection. Alternative connections, such as a snap-fit connection, for example, are likewise possible.

[0031] The method of operation is as follows:

[0032] The known PELE effect is triggered by the impact of the projectile 1, 8, 9 in the target, e.g. a metal plate. At the same time, a shockwave is initiated in the projectile body 2, 7, 10 and, if present, also in the core 6 (FIG. 2) or in the core 14 and the penetrator 14 (FIG. 3).

[0033] The shockwave acts, on the one hand, on the casing of the projectile body 2, 7, 10 in a fragmenting manner (not depicted in greater detail). Furthermore, the pyrotechnic composition 5, or the pyrotechnic payload 5, is simultaneously initiated by adiabatic compression due to this shockwave. In this way, the reaction temperature, or the reaction threshold, of the redox system, i.e. of the payload 5 (pyrotechnics), is exceeded. The payload 5 reacts immediately. The expanding gases of the pyrotechnic payload 5, for their part, further accelerate laterally the casing fragments of the projectile body 2, 7, 10 surrounding the payload 5 and being formed by the shockwave upon impact.

[0034] The payload 5 may comprise multiple pyrotechnic compositions which generate an incendiary effect, a flash and/or bang effect at the target.

[0035] It is advantageous for the fragmentation cone which forms (opening angle of the cone) of the casing fragments of the projectile body 2, 7, 10 to be constant, since this is independent of the firing distance (of the impact velocity).

[0036] The projectile body 2, 7, 10 may, in addition, be provided with predetermined breaking points on the circumference (not depicted in greater detail). These may then support the fragmentation of the projectile 1, 8, 9. The predetermined breaking points may also mean that the casing fragments of the projectile body 2, 7, 10 are better defined in terms of size.