Drone Defense Projectile and Ammunition

Abstract

A drone defense ammunition, such as rifle ammunition (e.g., with a caliber of up to 20 mm) or shotgun ammunition (e.g., up to caliber 4), may include projectiles. The ammunition may release the projectiles loosely as a result of an activation occurring with a time delay to firing of the drone defense ammunition.

Claims

1. A drone defense ammunition, comprising: a plurality of projectiles adapted to be loosely released; and a control mechanism adapted to activate, with a time delay, a firing of the drone defense ammunition to release the plurality of projectiles.

2. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, further comprising: a transport adapted to receive and transport the projectiles, wherein the control mechanism is free of electronics.

3. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission charge adapted to be activated to ignite a fragmentation charge to cause a release of the projectiles, wherein the control mechanism comprises the transmission charge and the fragmentation charge.

4. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 3, wherein the fragmentation charge has a greater burning rate than the transmission charge.

5. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the transport comprises a case section open in a direction of transport and adapted to receive the projectiles.

6. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 5, wherein the transport further comprises a lid adapted to cover the case section.

7. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 6, wherein the lid is adapted to be held between a ring rim of the case section pointing in the direction of transport and the projectiles.

8. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 7, wherein the transport further comprises a circumferential contact protrusion provided on an inner circumference of the case section, the lid being disposed on the contact protrusion and disposed between the ring rim and the contact protrusion.

9. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 7, wherein the ring rim protrudes circumferentially radially inwards.

10. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 6, wherein the lid comprises at least one predetermined breaking point.

11. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 6, wherein the lid is disk shaped and comprises a plurality of predetermined breaking points arranged in a circumferential direction of the disk-shaped lid and oriented in a radial direction of the disk-shaped lid.

12. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 3, further comprising a receiving cup adapted to house the transmission charge and the fragmentation charge, the receiving cup facing opposite to a direction of transport, wherein the receiving cup includes a through bore adapted to transmit a pyrotechnic gas pressure generated by the fragmentation charge to the projectiles.

13. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 12, wherein a wall thickness of a circumferential cup wall of the receiving cup is greater than a wall thickness of a cup base of the receiving cup, the cup base including the through bore.

14. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the activation to release the plurality of projectiles, by the control mechanism is adjustable to define different time delays or different activation times.

15. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, further comprising: a cartridge case adapted to receive propellant powder is received; and a base piece adapted to house a primer for igniting the propellant powder.

16. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of projectiles is adapted to break up into a plurality of projectile parts.

17. The drone defense ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the ammunition is a rifle ammunition of a caliber of up to 20 mm, or shotgun ammunition up to caliber 4.

18. A drone defense ammunition, comprising: a plurality of projectiles; a case adapted to: loosely receive the projectiles and transport the received projectiles; and a non-electronic control mechanism adapted to activate a release of the projectiles from the case.

19. A method for operating a drone defense ammunition including a plurality of projectiles adapted to be loosely released and a control mechanism adapted to activate, with a time delay, a firing of the drone defense ammunition to release the plurality of projectiles, the method comprising: firing the drone defense ammunition; and loosely releasing the plurality of projectiles of the drone defense ammunition with a time delay to the firing of the drone defense ammunition.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the firing of the drone defense ammunition comprises transporting the plurality of projectiles using a transport in which the plurality of projectiles is loosely received, and wherein the loosely releasing of the plurality of projectiles uses a control mechanism which is free of electronics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of ammunition according to the disclosure in a firearm barrel.

[0011] FIG. 2 an enlarged, partial detailed view of the ammunition of FIG. 1.

[0012] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements, features and components that are identical, functionally identical and have the same effect areinsofar as is not stated otherwiserespectively provided with the same reference character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.

[0014] An object of the disclosure is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide anti-drone ammunition with improved hit probability and/or improved handling.

[0015] Accordingly, drone defense ammunition, in particular rifle ammunition (e.g., with a caliber of up to 20 mm) or shotgun ammunition (e.g., up to caliber 4), is provided. The drone defense ammunition may comprise a plurality of projectiles (e.g., it receives them). The ammunition may be adapted to loosely release the projectiles as a result of an activation occurring with a time delay to firing the drone defense ammunition. The releasing of the plurality of projectiles may be chaotic, so that the projectiles are distributed in the air in a particularly expansive manner in order to create a disruption or destruction cloud for the drone to be defended against. The fact that the projectiles are loose after releasing, in particular leaving the ammunition, and are not connected to each other by Kevlar cords or other connecting elements, for example, provides that a very large effective range or destruction range can be generated in order to increase the hit probability. Furthermore, due to the fact that no connecting elements are provided between the projectiles and must be received within the ammunition, more projectiles can be accommodated, which in turn can increase the hit probability. The operation of the drone defense and ammunition does not differ from conventional ammunition, so that the usage is intuitive, which is particularly advantageous for the intended use, especially in the small caliber range. For example, the drone defense ammunition may also comprise a transport means for transporting the projectiles. The transport means may, for example, comprise a case-like structure and accommodate the plurality of projectiles, in particular loose projectiles, present therein. The transport means may be fired and accelerated during the firing of the drone defense ammunition and flies until the drone defense ammunition is activated with a time delay, until the projectiles arranged therein are released as a result of the activation, which can occur, for example, by an opening of a wall of the transport path or by destroying it.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of groups of projectiles connected to each other, for example in a chain-like manner or by other connection technologies, may be formed, wherein the different groups, in particular the projectiles from different groups, are not connected to each other. For example, at least two, three or four projectiles are connected to each other, but are formed detached or loose in relation to a neighboring group of at least two, three or four projectiles. In this way, a very large and effective range can be covered. Unless all the projectiles present are connected to one another to form a net, the division of the projectiles into separate disruption bodies or at least the division into several groups of connected projectiles results in a significant increase in the effective range or the disruption or destruction cloud.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, drone defense ammunition is provided. The ammunition may be rifle ammunition, which may be a caliber of up to 20 mm, or shotgun ammunition, which may be up to, for example, caliber 4 (e.g., No. 4 shot).

[0018] According to the further aspect according to the disclosure, the drone defense ammunition comprises a plurality of projectiles, a transport means for transporting the projectiles when firing the drone defense ammunition, in which the projectiles are loosely received, and a control mechanism for activating a releasing of the projectiles, which is free of all electronics.

[0019] The fact that the projectiles are loose after releasing, in particular leaving the ammunition, and are not connected to each other by Kevlar cords or other connecting elements, for example, means that a very large effective range or destruction range can be generated in order to increase the hit probability. Furthermore, due to the fact that no connecting elements are provided between the projectiles and must be received within the ammunition, more projectiles can be accommodated, which in turn can increase the hit probability.

[0020] Because the control mechanism is free of any electronics, the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure is particularly simple, inexpensive and also suitable for small calibers. For example, the plurality of projectiles can be received in bulk within the transport means. The control mechanism may be referred to as an activation mechanism, an activator, or a controller.

[0021] In an exemplary further development of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, it comprises a transmission charge, which can be activated, in particular thermally, and which is designed to ignite, in particular exclusively, a fragmentation charge for releasing the projectiles. Both the transmission charge and the fragmentation charge can be formed as pyrotechnic sets. For example, the control mechanism comprises the transmission charge and the fragmentation charge. The control mechanism can be adjusted or adapted by selecting the characteristics of the respective charges. For example, the fragmentation charge can be designed in such a way that it burns off very quickly and is immediately pyrotechnically converted when activated in order to release the projectiles. The transmission charge, in turn, can be designed to delay the time and is connected upstream of the fragmentation charge, in particular as part of a pyrotechnic chain of effects, so that the fragmentation charge does not pyrotechnically convert until the transmission charge has been used up or has burned down. In this respect, depending on the flight altitude of the drone to be defended against, a desired transmission charge with the desired specifics, in particular burning rate, etc., can be selected. The ammunition according to the disclosure can thus be categorized in a simple manner, so that the user can easily select the correct or suitable defensive ammunition, knowing the flight altitude of the drone to be defended against.

[0022] In an exemplary further development of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, the fragmentation charge has a greater, in particular at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250% or at least 300% greater and/or at most 400% greater, burning rate than the transmission charge. The ratio of the burning rates to each other determines the time delay between firing the drone defense ammunition and releasing the projectiles forming the cloud of disruption or destruction, which is ultimately intended to bring down the drone.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, the transport means has a case section open in the direction of transport, in particular the direction of firing, for receiving the projectiles. For example, the drone defense ammunition may also have a lid, in particular separate from the case section, for covering the case section. The lid can be aerodynamically shaped or form a flush, planar closure of the case section.

[0024] According to a further exemplary further development of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, the lid is held between a ring rim of the case section pointing in the direction of transport and the projectiles or a contact protrusion provided on the circumference of the case section, in particular in a clamping manner. For example, the lid can be arranged and attached in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner, in particular within the case section. For example, the ring rim protrudes radially inwards, in particular circumferentially. For example, it is flanged. The ring rim can thus have a convex front face in the direction of transport or firing.

[0025] In a further exemplary embodiment of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, the lid has at least one predetermined breaking point, such as a material weakening. For example, the predetermined breaking point is arranged to break as a result of the activation of the drone defense ammunition for releasing the projectiles. For example, the lid may have a plurality of predetermined breaking points arranged at a uniform distance from each other, in particular in a star shape. For example, the multiple predetermined breaking points can be arranged in such a way that they have a symmetrical breaking behavior so that the projectiles can be released evenly. According to another exemplary further development, the lid is formed in the shape of a disk and/or has a plurality of predetermined breaking points that are arranged in the circumferential direction at a particularly even distance from one another and oriented in the radial direction. For example, the predetermined breaking points are introduced from the outside, in particular by embossing, wherein other material weakening techniques can also be used.

[0026] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone defense ammunition further comprises a receiving cup for the transmission charge and the fragmentation charge pointing against the direction of transport or firing. For example, a through bore for transferring a pyrotechnic gas pressure generated by the fragmentation charge to the projectiles, which for example rest directly on the base of the receiving cup, can be provided in a base of the receiving cup. For example, the transfer charge and the fragmentation charge are layered directly on top of each other so that direct transfer or initiation can take place.

[0027] According to a further exemplary further development of the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, a wall thickness of a circumferential cup wall, which merges circumferentially into the cup base, is greater than a wall thickness of the cup base itself. For example, the wall thickness of the case section that receives the projectiles and surrounds them in the circumferential direction is smaller, in particular 50% smaller, than the wall thickness of the cup base.

[0028] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the activation of the releasing of the projectiles or the control mechanism are adjustable in order to define different time delays or different activation times by means of the control mechanism. In this way, it is possible for the user of the ammunition to select a suitable drone defense ammunition depending on the expected or actual flight altitude of the drone to be defended against or to set it in such a way that the activation for releasing of the projectiles, which is delayed in relation to the firing of the ammunition, is matched to the flight altitude in order to maximize the hit probability.

[0029] In a further exemplary embodiment of the drone ammunition according to the disclosure, it further comprises a cartridge case made in particular from a single piece with a case part in which propellant powder is received and a base piece in which a primer for igniting the propellant powder is arranged.

[0030] Ammunition, also known as a cartridge, usually consists of the following components: a cartridge case; a primer for igniting the propellant powder; a propellant charge as an energy carrier; and a projectile to be fired from a firearm. Multi-part cartridge cases usually comprise at least one base piece to be facing the primer and a case jacket firmly connected to the base piece.

[0031] The cartridge case can comprise a rotational case jacket for receiving a projectile and an annular base piece for receiving a primer and the case jacket. The base piece can have a central recess in which the case jacket is partially received. When the case jacket and base piece are attached to each other, an outer side of the case jacket rests against an inner side of the base piece, in particular the recess. The base piece can define an axis of rotation.

[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure comprises at least one projectile which is designed in such a way that it breaks up into a plurality of projectile parts, in particular with a time delay to its release. As a result, a multi-stage release or releasing of increasingly smaller projectile parts or sub-parts can be achieved. According to an exemplary further development, at least one projectile part in particular is designed in such a way that it breaks up into a plurality of projectile subparts, in particular with a time delay to its release. In this way, a very large destruction or disruption cloud can be achieved, in which numerous projectile sub-parts are present in a confined space in order to increase the hit probability for destroying the drone.

[0033] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the projectiles can be formed in a spherical, pin-like or polygonal shape. For example, the projectiles may have a textured surface. Furthermore, the projectiles can consist of or be produced from various materials, such as metal, polymer or hybrid materials. Furthermore, it is possible that the plurality of projectiles is grouped, wherein, for example, at least 2, 3 or 4 projectiles are connected to each other, but are formed detached or loose with respect to an adjacent group of at least 2, 3 or 4 projectiles.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method for operating drone defense ammunition. The drone defense ammunition may be designed according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. The ammunition may be a rifle ammunition with, for example, a caliber of up to 20 mm, or shotgun ammunition of up to, for example, caliber 4. In the method according to the disclosure, the drone defense ammunition is fired, and a plurality of projectiles received in the drone defense ammunition or projectiles transported therewith are loosely released with a time delay to firing of the drone defense ammunition.

[0035] Due to the fact that the projectiles are loose after releasing, in particular leaving the ammunition, and are not connected to each other by Kevlar cords or other connecting elements, for example, a very large effective range or destruction range can be generated in order to increase the hit probability. Furthermore, due to the fact that no connecting elements are provided between the projectiles and must be received within the ammunition, more projectiles can be accommodated, which in turn can increase the hit probability. The operation of the drone defense and ammunition does not differ from conventional ammunition, so that the usage is intuitive, which is particularly advantageous for the intended use, especially in the small caliber range. For example, the drone defense ammunition also comprises a transport means (transport) adapted to transport the projectiles. The transport means may, for example, comprise a case-like structure and accommodate the plurality of projectiles, in particular loose projectiles, present therein. The transport means is fired and accelerated upon firing of the drone defense ammunition and flies until the drone defense ammunition is activated with a time delay until the projectiles disposed therein are released as a result of the activation, which may occur, for example, by an opening of a wall of the transport path or by destroying it.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method for operating drone defense ammunition. The ammunition may be rifle ammunition with, for example, a caliber of up to 20 mm, or shotgun ammunition with, for example, a caliber of up to 4. The ammunition may be designed according to one or more aspects or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0037] In the method according to the disclosure, when the drone ammunition is fired, a plurality of projectiles is transported by means of a transport means in which the projectiles are loosely received, and the projectiles are released by means of a control mechanism which is free of all electronics.

[0038] The fact that the projectiles are loose after releasing, in particular after leaving the ammunition, and are not connected to each other by Kevlar cords or other connecting elements, for example, means that a very large effective range or destruction range can be generated in order to increase the hit probability. Furthermore, due to the fact that no connecting elements are provided between the projectiles and must be received within the ammunition, more projectiles can be accommodated, which in turn can increase the hit probability.

[0039] Because the control mechanism is free of any electronics, the drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure is particularly simple, inexpensive and also suitable for small calibers. For example, the plurality of projectiles can be received in bulk within the transport means.

[0040] In the accompanying figures, a schematic sketch of drone defense ammunition according to the disclosure, which is generally provided with the reference number 1, is shown in an exemplary embodiment. The drone defense ammunition (1) essentially comprises the following main components: a transport means (3) which is guided in a firearm barrel (5) in a firearm; a plurality of projectiles (7) accommodated in the transport means (3), which are formed in a spherical shape according to the exemplary embodiment of the figures; a control mechanism which is adapted to release the projectiles (7) in a time delay to firing the drone defense ammunition (1).

[0041] In FIG. 1, the drone defense ammunition (1) is arranged in the firearm barrel (5). The drone defense ammunition (1) further comprises a cartridge case (11), in particular made from a single piece, in which propellant powder (13) is accommodated. The cartridge case (11) comprises a rear-sided base piece (15), i.e. pointing against the direction of flight (A), which is designed to receive a primer (17) for igniting the propellant powder (13).

[0042] With particular reference to FIG. 2, a section (2) of the drone defense ammunition (1) is shown in enlarged form. The transport means (3) comprises a case section (19) open in the direction of transport or direction of firing (A), which accommodates the plurality of projectiles (7). Rear-sided, the case section (19) merges into a base (21), in the center of which is a bore (23) for transferring a propellant powder arranged at the rear of the base (21) for initiating the releasing of the projectiles (7). Rear-sided of the base (21), the transport means (3) has an open receiving cup (25) pointing against the direction of transport or direction of firing (A), which has a circumferential cup wall (27) which has a greater wall thickness than the cup base (21) as well as the circumferential wall of the case section (19).

[0043] The control mechanism (9) is arranged inside the receiving cup (25), which according to the exemplary embodiment has a transmission or delay charge (29) arranged at the rear and a subsequent fragmentation charge (31). The operating principle is as follows: when the ammunition (1) is fired, the primer (17) ignites the propellant powder (13), resulting in a pyrotechnic conversion of the propellant powder (13), which results in a pyrotechnic gas pressure that activates the transmission or delay charge (29), which, depending on the characteristics of the transmission charge (29), i.e. in particular its burning rate, initiates or pyrotechnically converts the fragmentation charge (31) with a time delay to firing the ammunition (1). As soon as the transmission charge (29) activates the fragmentation charge (31), the latter is pyrotechnically converted and generates a pyrotechnic gas pressure, which results in the releasing of the projectiles (7) loosely arranged within the case section (19).

[0044] The releasing of the projectiles (7) occurs according to the exemplary embodiment in that a lid (33) closing the open case section (19) at the front opens, so that the projectiles (7) are ejected from the transport means (3) by the fragmentation charge (31) as a result of the pyrotechnic gas pressure, so that they are distributed chaotically within the surroundings. In order to achieve a predefined release of the projectiles (7), the lid (33) has material weakenings (35) arranged in a star shape and forming predetermined breaking points, which break as a result of the pyrotechnic gas expansion of the fragmentation charge (31), so that the projectiles (7) leave the transport means (3) loose in the direction of transport or flight (A) in order to form a disruption or destruction cloud for the drone to be stopped.

[0045] The lid (33) is from-fittingly or force-fittingly arranged and attached within the case section (19). According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inner side of the case section (19) has a circumferential protrusion forming a contact rim (37) for the lid (33), on which the lid (33) rests. On the front side, the lid (33) is held or clamped in place by an inwardly protruding and, in particular, flanged ring rim (39).

[0046] The features disclosed in the preceding description, the figures and the claims can be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the disclosure in the various embodiments.

[0047] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present disclosure, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present disclosure is described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art on the basis of the embodiments in the present disclosure without any creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0048] It should be noted that the terms first, second, etc. in the description, claims and abovementioned drawings of the present disclosure are used to distinguish between similar objects, but not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that data used in this way can be interchanged as appropriate so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described here can be implemented in an order other than those shown or described here. In addition, the terms comprise and have and any variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or equipment comprising a series of steps or modules or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or modules or units which are clearly listed, but may comprise other steps or modules or units which are not clearly listed or are intrinsic to such processes, methods, products or equipment.

[0049] References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0050] The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the specification is not meant to limit the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

REFERENCE LIST

[0051] 1 Drone defense ammunition [0052] 3 Transport means (transport, case) [0053] 5 Firearm barrel [0054] 7 Projectile [0055] 9 Control mechanism (controller, activation mechanism, activator) [0056] 11 Cartridge case [0057] 13 Propellant powder [0058] 15 Base piece [0059] 17 Primer [0060] 19 Case section [0061] 21 Base [0062] 23 Bore [0063] 25 Receiving cup [0064] 27 Wall [0065] 29 Transmission charge [0066] 31 Fragmentation charge [0067] 33 Lid [0068] 35 Material weakening [0069] 37 Protrusion [0070] 39 Ring rim [0071] A Direction of transport