ANTI-EQUIPMENT SHOTSHELL CARTRIDGE

Abstract

An anti-equipment cartridge is provided, comprising: a shotshell cartridge adapted to be fired from a firearm; and powder included in the cartridge configured to fire pellets at a velocity sufficient to generate force upon impact to destroy or compromise a target. The cartridge is specifically designed to neutralize small to medium sized drones, communications devices, viewing equipment, sighting devices, viewing mirrors, and other electronic systems that may be vehicle mounted or static. The invention addresses the growing battlefield threat posed by First Person View drones, Small Unmanned Air Systems, Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aerial Vehicles, and Artificial Intelligence drones. Unlike electronic countermeasures that can be defeated by frequency changes, the cartridge provides a kinetic solution that delivers multiple pellets in a spread pattern to effectively disable aerial and ground-based targets through physical impact damage.

Claims

1. An anti-equipment shotshell cartridge, comprising: a cartridge casing; a plurality of metal shot pellets contained within the cartridge casing, wherein the metal shot pellets have a diameter of approximately 2.0 mm and comprise approximately 2 ounces of material; and, a propellant configured to discharge the plurality of metal shot pellets at a velocity exceeding 1200 feet per second.

2. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tungsten shot pellets comprises approximately 720 individual pellets.

3. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 1, wherein the metal shot pellets is made from tungsten.

4. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 1, including a wad container the metal short pellets and includes a first pellet section and a second pellet section, and wherein pellets in the first pellet section have a larger diameter than pellets in the second pellet section.

5. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge casing is waterproof.

6. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 1, wherein each metal shot pellet carries approximately two foot-pounds of energy at 20 meters and approximately one foot-pound of energy at 60 meters.

7. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 6, wherein the plurality of tungsten shot pellets create a shot pattern having a 20-inch diameter circle at 60 meters with over 30% pattern density.

8. An anti-equipment shotshell cartridge, comprising: a cartridge casing; a plurality of pellets contained within the cartridge casing; and a propellant configured to discharge the plurality of pellets such that the pellets maintain a pattern density of over 30% within a 20-inch diameter circle at a range of 60 meters, wherein each pellet carries at least one foot-pound of energy at 60 meters.

9. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 8, wherein the plurality of pellets comprises tungsten shot pellets.

10. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 9, wherein the tungsten shot pellets have a diameter of approximately 2.0 mm.

11. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 10, wherein the plurality of pellets comprises approximately 720 individual tungsten shot pellets.

12. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 8, wherein the pellets maintain a pattern density of over 63% within a 30-inch diameter circle at a range of 60 meters.

13. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 8, further comprising a wad disposed within the cartridge casing, wherein the wad contains the plurality of pellets.

14. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 13, wherein the wad comprises a first pellet section and a second pellet section, and wherein pellets in the first pellet section have a different diameter than pellets in the second pellet section.

15. An anti-equipment shotshell cartridge adapted for use with standard firearm platforms, comprising: a cartridge casing dimensioned for compatibility with conventional shotgun receivers; a plurality of pellets contained within the cartridge casing; a propellant configured to discharge the plurality of pellets; and wherein the cartridge is configured for mounting on battle rifle platforms including underslung shotgun mounts on M4 and AK-47 weapon systems.

16. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 15, wherein the cartridge casing is a 12-gauge shotshell casing.

17. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 16, wherein the cartridge casing has a length of 3 inches.

18. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 15, wherein the plurality of pellets comprises tungsten shot pellets having a diameter of approximately 2.0 mm.

19. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 18, wherein the tungsten shot pellets are configured to maintain a pattern density of over 30% within a 20-inch diameter circle at a range of 60 meters.

20. The anti-equipment shotshell cartridge of claim 15, wherein the underslung shotgun mounts allow the cartridge to be fired without eliminating primary function of the M4 and AK-47 weapon systems.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of aspects of the anti-equipment cartridge system;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of aspects of the anti-equipment cartridge system;

[0017] and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view and pattern diagram of aspects of the anti-equipment cartridge system.

[0019] While each of the drawing figures depicts a particular embodiment for purposes of depicting a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures. For purposes of depicting clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement depicted in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments. The drawings and schematic representations are intended to support the understanding of the invention. These may not be to scale and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular layout, connectivity, or architectural implementation. Correspondence between drawing elements and described components is provided for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the claim scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Modifiers such as first and second may be used to differentiate elements, but the modifiers do not necessarily indicate any particular order.

[0021] With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an anti-equipment cartridge system operates across multiple engagement scenarios to address various threat types. A firearm 100 discharges pellets 102 toward different categories of targets with distinct ballistic characteristics for each engagement type. Referring to FIG. 1A, when engaging an aerial target 104, the firearm 100 launches the pellets 102 along an upward trajectory. The pellets 102 follow a ballistic path that accounts for the elevated position and movement characteristics of the aerial target 104. The spread pattern of the pellets 102 expands progressively as distance from the firearm 100 increases, creating a dispersed impact zone that enhances the probability of successful engagement against the aerial target 104.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1B, when targeting stationary target equipment 106, the firearm 100 discharges the pellets 102 along a more direct trajectory. The pellets 102 maintain a concentrated pattern at closer ranges before expanding with increased distance. The target equipment 106 presents a different engagement profile compared to the aerial target 104, requiring adjusted aiming techniques and trajectory calculations.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cartridge construction differs from conventional sporting or hunting ammunition through specific design modifications. The cartridge casing can be waterproof to ensure reliable function in adverse environmental conditions. The pellet composition, size distribution, and loading density are configured to deliver sufficient kinetic energy for equipment neutralization rather than traditional sporting applications.

[0025] The pellet composition may incorporate materials with enhanced density characteristics to maximize kinetic energy transfer upon impact. In some aspects, tungsten-based pellets provide superior mass-to-volume ratios compared to traditional lead shot, resulting in increased momentum retention over extended ranges. The tungsten composition may maintain velocity more effectively through air resistance, delivering greater impact energy at the target.

[0026] Size distribution within the cartridge may be optimized to balance penetration capability with pattern density. In some cases, larger pellets in the 00 to 000 buckshot range provide deeper penetration for equipment components, while smaller pellets may fill gaps in the pattern to ensure comprehensive coverage. The mixed sizing approach can create a layered impact effect where initial strikes from larger pellets compromise structural integrity, followed by secondary impacts that may disable sensitive components.

[0027] Loading density may be configured to maximize the number of pellets while maintaining proper chamber pressure and velocity characteristics. In some embodiments, the pellet arrangement utilizes space-efficient packing geometries that allow for increased pellet count without exceeding safe pressure limits. The wad design may separate different pellet sizes or compositions to control their release sequence during firing.

[0028] The kinetic energy delivery may be enhanced through pellet hardness characteristics that resist deformation upon impact. Hardened pellets can maintain their shape and mass during penetration, transferring energy more efficiently to the target structure. In some cases, the pellet surface treatment or alloying may be selected to optimize penetration characteristics against specific equipment materials such as aluminum housings, composite panels, or electronic enclosures.

[0029] The combined effect of composition, size distribution, and loading density may create a projectile system capable of delivering concentrated kinetic energy across multiple impact points simultaneously, potentially overwhelming the structural capacity of target equipment through distributed loading rather than single-point impact.

[0030] In one configuration, the firearm 100 can be mounted to a weapon platform such as an M4 or AK-47. The mounting system allows the anti-equipment cartridge system to function as an auxiliary capability without eliminating the primary function of the host weapon platform. The shell design enables rapid deployment against aerial threats, providing immediate response capability when time-sensitive target engagement is required.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, a cartridge casing (200) forms the structural foundation of the anti-equipment cartridge, providing containment for all internal components. The cartridge casing (200) extends vertically and defines the overall dimensions of the cartridge assembly. A primer (202) is positioned at the base of the cartridge casing (200), serving as the ignition source for the propellant system. The primer (202) interfaces directly with the firing pin mechanism of the firearm (100) to initiate the combustion sequence.

[0032] A powder chamber (204) is located adjacent to the primer (202) within the cartridge casing (200). The powder chamber (204) contains the propellant material that generates the gas pressure for projectile acceleration. In one embodiment, the powder chamber (204) can accommodate various propellant types including ball, flake, disk, grain, and short grain configurations. Each powder type provides different burn characteristics and pressure curves to optimize ballistic performance for anti-equipment applications.

[0033] A wad (206) is positioned within the cartridge casing (200) above the powder chamber (204). The wad (206) functions as a gas seal and projectile carrier during the firing sequence. The wad (206) includes internal compartmentalization that organizes the pellet payload into distinct sections. A first pellet section (208) occupies the upper portion of the wad (206), while a second pellet section (210) is located in the lower portion of the wad (206).

[0034] In one configuration, the first pellet section (208) contains pellets with larger diameters compared to pellets contained within the second pellet section (210). The second pellet section (210) can contain a greater quantity of pellets than the first pellet section (208), creating a mixed payload configuration. The wall thickness of the wad (206) at the first pellet section (208) can differ from the wall thickness at the second pellet section (210) to control pellet release timing and pattern formation. In one example, the wad (206) incorporates a shot buffer composed of flax seed, other natural buffer materials, or synthetic buffer compounds. The shot buffer reduces pellet deformation during acceleration and maintains pellet sphericity for improved ballistic consistency. The cartridge casing (200) can accommodate shot containment structures utilizing either crimp or plate style configurations to secure the pellet payload.

[0035] The cartridge casing (200) can range from 410 gauge to 10 gauge in size, with one embodiment utilizing a 3 inch (76 mm) 12-gauge configuration. The larger cartridge dimensions enable increased pellet capacity and powder volume compared to standard sporting ammunition. The dual-section configuration of the wad (206) provides staged pellet release that creates overlapping impact zones, enhancing target coverage compared to conventional single-section wad designs. The compartmentalized wad (206) structure represents a departure from traditional hunting and sporting ammunition that typically employs uniform pellet sizes and single-chamber wad configurations. The differentiated pellet sections within the wad (206) enable simultaneous delivery of multiple pellet sizes with distinct ballistic characteristics, creating a layered impact effect that addresses the structural diversity of electronic equipment targets.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a cartridge body 300 contains a dense arrangement of tungsten shot pellets 302 configured for anti-equipment applications. The cartridge body 300 houses approximately 720 individual tungsten shot pellets 302, with each pellet measuring 2.0 mm in diameter. The tungsten shot pellets 302 occupy the internal volume of the cartridge body 300 in a tightly packed configuration that maximizes pellet count while maintaining structural integrity during storage and handling.

[0037] In one embodiment, the cartridge body 300 contains 2 ounces of the tungsten shot pellets 302, providing substantial mass for kinetic energy delivery. The tungsten shot pellets 302 can be discharged from the cartridge body 300 at velocities exceeding 1200 feet per second, creating high momentum projectiles that retain energy over extended ranges. The tungsten composition of the pellets 302 provides superior density characteristics compared to traditional lead shot, resulting in enhanced ballistic performance and penetration capability.

[0038] The shot pattern diagram in FIG. 3 illustrates the dispersion characteristics that result from the discharge of the tungsten shot pellets 302. An inner pattern circle 304 defines a concentrated impact zone measuring 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter at a range of 60 meters. The inner pattern circle 304 represents the area of highest pellet concentration where target engagement probability reaches maximum effectiveness.

[0039] A pattern density region 306 surrounds the inner pattern circle 304 and extends outward to encompass a broader impact area. The pattern density region 306 within the inner pattern circle 304 achieves over 30% pattern density, corresponding to approximately 230 pellet impacts within the 20-inch diameter zone. The pattern density region 306 provides consistent pellet distribution that maintains effective target engagement capability across the entire coverage area.

[0040] An outer pattern circle 308 establishes the maximum effective engagement diameter of the shot pattern, measuring 30 inches (76 cm) in diameter at 60 meters. The pattern density region 306 within the outer pattern circle 308 maintains over 63% pattern density, delivering approximately 458 pellet impacts across the expanded coverage area. The outer pattern circle 308 defines the operational envelope for target engagement while preserving sufficient pellet density for equipment neutralization.

[0041] In one configuration, the tungsten shot pellets 302 can be composed of various materials including cold chilled lead, nickel plated lead, copper plated lead, bismuth, steel, steel alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloy, or combinations thereof. The pellet sizing can range from 0 buck shot to 9.5 shot, allowing for customization based on target characteristics and engagement requirements. The tungsten shot pellets 302 can be arranged in different size distributions including stacked, blended, or homogeneous compositions within the cartridge body 300.

[0042] The relationship between the cartridge body 300 construction and the resulting shot pattern performance demonstrates enhanced ballistic characteristics compared to conventional sporting ammunition. The high-density tungsten shot pellets 302 maintain velocity more effectively through air resistance, resulting in the concentrated pattern density region 306 that extends effective range beyond traditional shotgun applications. The cartridge body 300 design enables the dense packing of the tungsten shot pellets 302 while controlling their release characteristics to produce the defined inner pattern circle 304 and outer pattern circle 308 geometries.

[0043] This configuration represents a departure from conventional shotgun ammunition that typically employs lower-density materials and broader dispersion patterns optimized for sporting applications. The concentrated pattern density region 306 achieved by the tungsten shot pellets 302 provides simultaneous multi-point impact capability that can overwhelm the structural capacity of electronic equipment through distributed kinetic energy transfer. The precise pattern geometry defined by the inner pattern circle 304 and outer pattern circle 308 enables predictable target engagement at extended ranges where conventional shotgun ammunition loses effectiveness.

[0044] The structural configuration of the anti-equipment shotshell cartridge directly enables its specialized function of neutralizing electronic equipment and aerial targets through carefully engineered form-function relationships. The cartridge casing 200 provides the foundational structure that contains and protects all internal components while maintaining compatibility with standard firearm platforms, allowing the specialized ammunition to be deployed using existing weapon systems without requiring dedicated equipment. The waterproof construction of the cartridge casing ensures reliable function in adverse environmental conditions, supporting the operational requirements of field deployment where electronic equipment threats may be encountered.

[0045] The dual-section wad 206 structure represents a departure from conventional ammunition design, incorporating a first pellet section 208 and second pellet section 210 that contain pellets of different diameters. This compartmentalized arrangement enables staged pellet release during firing, creating overlapping impact zones that enhance target coverage and increase the probability of successful equipment neutralization. The wad design controls the timing and sequence of pellet deployment, allowing the cartridge to deliver both larger pellets for structural penetration and smaller pellets for comprehensive coverage of sensitive electronic components.

[0046] The high-density tungsten shot pellets 302 provide the kinetic energy delivery mechanism that transforms the cartridge's structural design into effective anti-equipment capability. The 2.0 mm diameter and tungsten composition enable each pellet to maintain velocity through air resistance while carrying sufficient energy to damage electronic systems at extended ranges. The dense packing of approximately 720 pellets within the cartridge body 300 creates a multi-point impact system that can overwhelm target structural capacity through distributed kinetic energy transfer rather than relying on single-point penetration.

[0047] The propellant system within the powder chamber 204 generates the precise velocity characteristics needed to achieve the defined shot pattern geometry, with the inner pattern circle 304 and outer pattern circle 308 providing predictable engagement zones at operational distances. This ballistic performance is achieved through the structural integration of the primer 202, powder chamber 204, and wad 206 components, which work together to accelerate the tungsten pellets to velocities exceeding 1200 feet per second while maintaining pattern density of over 30% within a 20-inch diameter circle at 60 meters. The structural elements thus enable the cartridge to function as a kinetic countermeasure system that addresses the limitations of electronic warfare approaches against frequency-agile aerial threats.

[0048] One or more different inventions may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the invention(s) described herein, numerous embodiments may be described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The embodiments described are not intended to be limiting in any sense. One or more of the invention(s) may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the invention(s), and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the one or more of the invention(s). Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the one or more of the invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the invention(s). It should be understood, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one or more of the invention(s) nor a listing of features of one or more of the invention(s) that must be present in all embodiments.

[0049] Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0050] It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.