Explosive smoke grenade

Abstract

In order to obtain an explosive smoke grenade, which can be fired from a portable anti-tank weapon, in particular a recoilless infantry weapon, and permits an enemy position or a vehicle to be fogged as quickly as possible, so that the enemy has only a very limited radius of action, a explosive smoke grenade is provided with a time fuse that can be programmed such that the burst charge detonates in the direct vicinity of the enemy position but before the grenade has reached the ground, and releases the smoke-generating active material. In addition, the pyrotechnic active substance arranged between the burst charge and the grenade casing is formed of a plurality of film strips, which are coated with a red-phosphorus-containing incendiary composition (flares). For this purpose, the dimensions of the flares are selected such that they generate a visibility barrier in both the visible and the infrared wavelength regions.

Claims

1. An explosive smoke grenade comprising: a grenade casing with a central bursting charge extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the explosive smoke grenade; a settable delayed-action detonator for activating the central bursting charge; and a smoke-producing pyrotechnic active compound arranged between the bursting charge and the grenade casing, the smoke-producing pyrotechnic active compound comprising a plurality of film strips that are respectively coated with an incendiary composition that contains red phosphorus, wherein the plurality of film strips form flares, and wherein the flares have different predetermined coating thicknesses of the incendiary composition, such that some of the flares have a thinner coating thickness than other flares.

2. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the predetermined coating thicknesses lie between 400 m and 800 m.

3. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grenade casing is formed of plastic or an aluminum sheet.

4. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bursting charge is arranged inside a screen tube that is surrounded by the flares of the active compound.

5. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the screen tube is formed of metallic material.

6. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grenade casing is fragmentable and has predetermined breaking points.

7. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of film strips are formed of plastic.

8. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the incendiary composition consists of red phosphorus, potassium nitrate and a binder.

9. The explosive smoke grenade as claimed in claim 1, wherein dimensions of the flares are selected such that the flares produce a visual barrier in a visible range and in an infrared wavelength range.

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 longitudinal section through the submunition of a schematically represented explosive grenade according to the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the use of such an explosive grenade.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a film strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In FIG. 1, the submunition of an explosive smoke grenade that can be fired from an anti-tank rocket launcher is denoted by 1. The explosive smoke grenade 1 comprises a preferably fragmentable grenade casing 2, in the ideal case of plastic or thin-walled aluminum, with a screen tube 4 which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the explosive smoke grenade 1 and in which there is a bursting charge 5. For this purpose, the grenade casing 2 preferably has predetermined breaking points or the like (not represented any more specifically).

(6) At the rear, a programmable delayed-action detonator 6 is arranged behind the bursting charge 5.

(7) Between the bursting charge 5 and the grenade casing 2 there is a smoke-producing pyrotechnic active compound 7. This consists of a multiplicity of film strips 11, which are respectively coated with an incendiary composition 12 that contains red phosphorus (flares) and are preferably arranged radially around the bursting charge 5, i.e. the screen tube 4 (with holes).

(8) The flares of the active compound 7 have different coating thicknesses of the incendiary composition, the coating thicknesses preferably lying between 400 m and 800 m.

(9) The operating mode of the explosive smoke grenade 1 is discussed below with the aid of FIG. 2:

(10) In order for example to surround an enemy position 8 or undertake a change of position, the corresponding shooter first determines from his own position 9 the distance from the enemy position 8 of the enemy with the aid of a range finder (for example a weapon sight). Subsequently, the shooter then determines the distance at which the delayed-action detonator 6 of the explosive smoke grenade 1 is to be ignited. This ignition time should generally be a few meters from the target and approximately 6-8 m above the ground. If the anti-tank rocket launcher has a firing control computer, the programming can be performed by this computer. Subsequently, the delayed-action detonator 6 of the explosive smoke grenade 1 is programmed correspondingly, the directing angle is determined and the weapon is directed.

(11) After firing the explosive smoke grenade 1, the bursting or activation is performed by the delayed-action detonator 6 in a way corresponding to the time setting of the delayed-action detonator 6, whereby the flares are ignited and distributed. The fragmentable projectile casing 2 is fragmented into small pieces, while the flares fall burning to the ground and form a wall of smoke and an infrared shield. In this case, the dimensions of the flares are chosen such that they produce a visual barrier in both the visible and the infrared wavelength range. The flares preferably have different layer visibility thicknesses, which allow a homogeneous wall (wall of smoke 10) to be produced. The thinner-coated flares burn away almost completely in the air and fall more slowly to the ground than the thicker-coated flares. These fall more quickly to the ground because of their associated heavier dead weight, and at the same time still produce smoke before they reach the ground. This combination of differently coated flares provides an optimum wall of smoke 10 and shield, since the thinner-coated flares form the upper region of the wall of smoke 10 and the heavier flares form the lower region (near the ground) of the wall of smoke 10. After or during the production of the cloud of smoke 10, it is then possible for example for the desired change of position to be carried out.

(12) As already mentioned, the explosive smoke grenade 1 can be fired or launched from a portable anti-tank weapon, in particular a recoilless infantry weapon.

(13) 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.