COMMON CARRIER MUNITION

Abstract

There is provided a common carrier munition suitable for use for a high explosive comprising a tail unit, a main body which comprises a payload cavity for receiving a payload, a fuze, and located between said main body and the fuze an ogive element, wherein the payload comprises a removable liner, wherein the removable liner comprises a high explosive, such that said removable liner and high explosive may be removed from the payload cavity.

Claims

1. A common carrier munition suitable for use for a high explosive, the munition comprising: a tail unit; a main body which comprises a payload cavity for receiving a payload; a removable liner, wherein the removable liner is configured to receive a fill of high explosive, such that said removable liner and high explosive may be reversibly loaded in the payload cavity: a fuze; and an ogive element located between said main body and the fuze.

2. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the liner is made from a polymer or metal.

3. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the payload cavity and the removable liner have a co-operative fit.

4. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the removable liner has an ogive profile.

5. The munition according to claim 4, wherein the payload cavity and the removable liner both have a co-operative ogive profile.

6. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the ogive element and the main body are a unitary body.

7. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the ogive element and main body are separate elements, and the separate elements comprise cooperatively engaging male and female threaded portions, wherein at least one of the threads is a shearable thread, to provide a frangible link.

8. The munition according to claim 7, wherein the main body comprises a threaded portion manufactured from a first material, and the ogive element comprises a threaded portion manufactured from second material, wherein the second material has a lower hardness value than the first material.

9. The munition according to claim 8, wherein the first material is selected from a steel alloy and the second material is selected from aluminium or alloy thereof.

10. The munition according to claim 7, wherein the ogive element is reversibly engaged with the fuze and main body.

11. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the fuze is operably connected to an explosive train, capable in use of initiating the high explosive.

12. The munition according to claim 1, wherein the payload cavity comprises one or more modular high explosive charges, wherein each modular higher explosive charge is in a removable liner.

13. The munition according to claim 12, wherein each of the one or more modular high explosive charges is reversibly loadable from the aft end of the main body.

14. (canceled)

15. A method of transporting a common carrier shell, the common carrier shell including a fuze, a removable liner including a high explosive fill, a shell body, an ogive element, and a tail unit, the method comprising: transporting the fuze and removable liner including the high explosive fill in a first mode of transport suitable for carrying explosives; and transporting the shell body, ogive element, and tail unit in a second mode of transport.

16. A common carrier munition suitable for use for a high explosive, the munition comprising: a main body formed from a steel alloy and which comprises a payload cavity for receiving a payload; a tail unit located at the aft of the main body and made from aluminium, the tail unit secured to the main body by a cooperative thread, shearable cooperative thread, or shear pins; a removable liner, wherein the removable liner is configured to receive a fill of high explosive, such that the removable liner and high explosive may be reversibly loaded in the payload cavity; a fuze; and an ogive element located between the main body and the fuze; wherein the payload cavity and the removable liner both have a co-operative ogive profile.

17. The munition according to claim 16, wherein the tail unit is a boat tail unit, and the ogive element and the main body are a unitary body.

18. The munition according to claim 17, wherein the fuze is operably connected to an explosive train, capable in use of initiating the high explosive.

19. The munition according to claim 16, wherein the ogive element and main body are separate elements, and the separate elements comprise cooperatively engaging male and female threaded portions, wherein at least one of the threads is a shearable thread, to provide a frangible link.

20. The munition according to claim 16, wherein the ogive element is reversibly engaged with the fuze and main body.

21. The munition according to claim 16, wherein the removable liner is lockable in position with a reversible retaining mechanism.

Description

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 show an exploded side view of a prior art illumination shell.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a high explosive shell, of the invention

[0030] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the removable high explosive liner and shell.

[0031] Turning to FIG. 1 there is provided a prior art illumination shell 1, with a main body 5, which is manufactured from a steel alloy. Located around the circumference of the main body 5 is a copper driving band 4, which allows engagement with the rifling on the bore of a barrel, so as to impart spin. A tail unit 2 is located at the aft of the main body 5. The tail unit 2 is made from aluminium and contains a male threaded portion 3, which engages with a reciprocal female threaded portion (not shown) located in the aft of the main body 5. The payload 10 (shown external to the shell 1), when located in the payload cavity (not shown), inside the main body, is retained in place by use of a locking ring 6, which screws into the forward end of main body 5. The ogive element 7 is removable and is fastened to the locking ring 6. The ogive element receives the expulsion charge 8 and fuze 9. Upon operation of the fuze 9, the expulsion charge 8 builds up pressure within the ogive element and at the bursting pressure the thread 3 shears and the payload 10 is expelled from the aft of the main body 5. The payload 10 is of uniform dimension may be deliver a smoke, illumination, UAV etc. output.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a high explosive shell 22, with a unitary main body 15 formed from a steel alloy, with a driving band 14 located thereupon. A tail unit 12 is located at the aft of the main body 15. The tail unit 12 is made from aluminium and contains a male threaded portion, which engages with a reciprocal female threaded portion located at the aft of the main body 15. The tail unit 12 may be a boat tail or base bleed unit.

[0033] The payload 23 is located in the payload cavity 24. The payload is a removable liner 21 which is pre-filled with a high explosive 20. The removable liner 21 and high explosive 20 are loaded into the payload cavity 24 in a single step.

[0034] The ogive element receives the explosive train 18 and fuze 19. Upon operation of the fuze 19, the explosive train 18 provides a greater detonative event sufficient to detonate the high explosive 20.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an empty shell 25, with a fuze 29, located at the forward end. The removable liner 31 which contains the high explosive fill (not shown) may be inserted from the rear of the shell 25. The tail unit 32 may then be secured to the shell 25 to provide the complete shell. The tail unit 32 may be secured to the main body 25 by a cooperative thread, shearable cooperative thread, or shear pins.