Rheinmetall Gmbh

Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft

Etat Francais

Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh

L'etat Francais, Represente Par Le Delegue General Pour L'armement

Rhienmetall W& M Gmbh

Etat Francais Represente Par Le Deleuge General Pour L'armement

L'etat Francais Represente Par Le Delegue General Pour L'armement Bureau

Bernhard Bisping

Peter Wallow

Rudolf Romer

Klaus Gersbach

Walter Simon

Wolfgang Stein

Wilfried Becker

Patrick Montier

Hans W Luther

Karl W Bethmann

Ulrich Theis

Pierre A Moreau

Jurgen Kolodzey

Alfons Sackarndt

Jean-Claude Sauvestre

Ulf Hahn

Michael Vagedes

Jean C Sauvestre

Siegfried Kessler

Jurgen Boecker

Lothar Post

Udo Sabranski

Peter Sommer

Horst Kantner

Reinhart Fuchs

Yves Millet

Siegfried Kebler

H -p Hellmeister

Hermann Jansen

Martin Podes

Cornelis Taal

Michaed Vagedes

Klaus Gerbach

Klaus Bornefeld

A method of making a subcaliber kinetic energy projectile includes the following consecutive steps: friction-welding a light-metal blank to a frontal end face of a tungsten heavy metal penetrator core, wherein the blank is overdimensioned relative to the penetrator core; and forming a conical projectile tip from the blank.

Method of making a subcaliber kinetic energy projectile

A subcaliber projectile, comprising a penetrator (4) and a propelling cage (5, 5') that surrounds at least a midportion of the penetrator, wherein the base region (8) of a cap (7, 7', 7') that is tapered toward the penetrator point (6) is arranged on the propelling cage (8). To achieve, on the one hand, a good and secure feeding during the firing of the projectile with automatic weapons, and, on the other hand, a good hit capability, the inertial forces of the cap (7, 7', 7') during the acceleration of the projectile (2) inside the weapon tube (1) are used to cause a defined disintegration of the cap (7, 7', 7') into segments. For this purpose, the cap (7, 7', 7') is supported in its base region (8) on a surface (9, 9') of the propelling cage (5, 5') that is tapered conically toward the projectile point, such that during the acceleration of the projectile (2) inside the weapon tube (1), the cap (7, 7', 7') is displaced axially in the direction of the propelling cage (5, 5'), which leads to an expansion in the base region (8) of the cap and causes a cracking or breaking of the cap (7, 7', 7') at groove-shaped, predetermined breakage locations (13, 13') of the cap (7, 7', 7') that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) of the projectile (2).

Subcaliber projectile

A subcaliber projectile with a penetrator (4) and a cap (7) that surrounds the front of the penetrator (4) to form an air space therebetween and is tapered toward the penetrator point (6). The cap surface has at least two groove-shaped predetermined break locations (10-12) that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis (9) of projectile (2). To achieve a secure feeding of the projectile during the firing with automatic weapons on the one hand, and a good strike capability on the other hand, at least one radial recess (15-18) is arranged in each of the groove-shaped predetermined break locations (10-12) in the region of the base half of cap (7), and extends completely through the jacket (14) of cap (7).

A subcaliber kinetic energy projectile includes a cylindrical penetrator core of tungsten heavy metal; a solid conical projectile tip of light metal adjoining a front end of the penetrator core in a butt joint; and a friction weld bonding the penetrator core to the projectile tip at the butt joint.

Subcaliber kinetic energy projectile

A method for the manufacture of a subcaliber projectile as well as a projectile (1) which is formed according to the method and which comprises a penetrator (2), a propelling cage (3) surrounding the central or mid-portion of the penetrator, and a plastic cap (5) that is arranged on the front of the propelling cage (3) and is conically tapered toward the penetrator point (4). For an easy and cost-effective way of manufacturing the connection between the plastic cap (5) and the propelling cage (3), according to the invention a thermoplastic synthetic material is used as the material for the cap (5), and the plastic cap (5) is attached by ultrasonic welding to the propelling cage (3). For this purpose, the plastic cap (5) is heated at certain points along its circumference, in at least two different partial regions (11), and is formed or molded into a groove-shaped recess (9) provided on the outer surface of the forward region of the propelling cage and covered by a rear portion of the cap, such that the knob-shaped, inward-pointing regions (12) of the plastic cap (5) resulting from the heating engage form-fittingly in the groove-shaped recess (9) of the propelling cage (3).

Method for the manufacture of a subcaliber projectile manufactured with

A sub-caliber, spin stabilized multi-purpose projectile (FAPDS) made of a liquid phase sintered heavy metal sintered material composed essentially of metallic tungsten powder with additives of cobalt and nickel. To attain the highest final ballistic performance in lightly armored air and ground targets (e.g. aircraft, helicopters, armored personnel carriers) the present invention provides that the tungsten percentage of the projectile body lies between 90 and 99.5 weight percent, the density of the sintered material lies between 17.5 and 19.2 g/cm.sup.3 and the ratio of cobalt to nickel in the binder phase lies between 1:0.5 and 1:2.3, preferably 1:1.5. The projectile body according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is made of one piece and includes in its front portion a cylindrical pin for fastening of a projectile tip made of heat treatable steel. While ensuring stability during loading and firing, the projectile exhibits a highly sensitive, brittle matrix which develops in the sintered material only after the appropriate thermal treatment so that the projectile body, upon impact on the target, completely disintegrates upon encountering the slightest resistance and develops an optimum fragmentation effect.

Subcaliber, spin stabilized multi-purpose projectile

A weapon for firing practice ammunition includes a barrel having a frontal length portion terminating in a muzzle; an ammunition loading chamber at a barrel end opposite the muzzle; and a plurality of first gas outlet bores provided in the frontal length portion. The first gas outlet bores are arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial rows. There is further provided a muzzle brake sleeve coaxially surrounding the frontal length portion and having a frontal end situated close to the muzzle. The muzzle brake sleeve includes a plurality of second gas outlet bores arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial rows. The first gas outlet bores are staggered with respect to the second gas outlet bores as viewed along the barrel. The frontal end of the muzzle brake sleeve is closed off by a plug.

Device for firing practice ammunition

A method of closing the forward portion or region (u) of a cylindrical sleeve body (3) of a practice cartridge (1), wherein a predetermined number of inside and outside radial folds (8, 7, respectively) are created in the forward region (4) of the sleeve body (3) in two work cycles, and wherein circular arc-shaped inside folds (8) of predetermined depth are created during the first work cycle by the application of radial pressure using correspondingly shaped profiling tools. To achieve secure closing of the sleeve body (3) through folding in a simple and cost-effective manner and without predetermined fracture points resulting in the region of the inside folds (8) during closing, the inside folds (8) are created in the forward region of the projectile body (3) during the first work cycle so that a first, central opening having a diameter of at least 2 mm remains between the inside folds (8) after completion of this work cycle. Due to this first step, tools that have a relatively large bending radius can be used for creating the inside folds, despite the high number of folds. In the subsequent second work cycle, a further radial pressing together of the inside folds (8) is effected by exerting pressure on the outside folds (7), e.g. by using a conical die.

Method of sealing the front of a cylindrical sleeve body of a practice

A unitary ammunition unit comprising a propellant charge. An explosive sub-caliber projectile having a pull-drive type of sabot is mounted on the propellant charge. The sub-caliber projectile is at least partially formed of a heavy-metal-sinter alloy of high density.

Unitary projectile

A spin stabilized projectile unit includes a sub-caliber projectile having a cylindrical section connected to a conical tail section including an external circumferential holding groove. A propelling cage casing encloses the projectile. A propelling base includes a receptacle holding the projectile and connected with the projectile and the propelling cage casing. The receptacle includes inwardly projecting axial webs presenting an inner diameter of the receptacle in a region of the cylindrical section of the projectile which corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section. The inner diameter of the receptacle formed by the webs becomes increasingly larger than the respective outer diameter of the conical section beginning in the transition region between the cylindrical and conical sections to form an annular gap extending to a bottom region of the bottom of the receptacle. A segmented holding ring is disposed between the inner diameter of the receptacle and the outer diameter of the conical tail section and lies in the holding groove and against the inner diameter of the receptacle for holding the projectile in the receptacle of the propelling base.

Spin stabilized projectile unit

A subcaliber, spin stabilized, discarding sabot projectile of the type including a projectile body, with a conically tapered tip, and a discardable sabot which completely encloses said projectile body and includes a base portion and a plastic hood portion connected to the base portion, and with the hood portion having an inner conical surface which contacts at least a portion of the conically tapered tip of the projectile body and being provided, on its circumferential surface, with a plurality of symmetrically disposed grooves which extend in the longitudinal direction of said projectile and form desired break locations along which the hood portion tears open into a plurality of segments after firing from a weapon and after the projectile has left the weapon muzzle. The plastic material of the hood portion of the sabot in the bottom of each of the longitudinal grooves, at least in the region of the conically tapered projectile tip, has such a small wall thickness that a given crack formation is already initiated when the discarding sabot projectile is introduced, in rapid succession, into a cartridge chamber of a weapon to cause the material to be slightly separated at the desired break locations.

Subcaliber discarding sabot projectile

Ammunition preferaqbly for use in high-angle fire to be fired from a cannon suitable for flat trajectory ammunition and with direct participation of the cannon barrel, the ammunition being made of one piece as an ammunition unit having the same outer dimensions as a comparable ammunition unit which is intended to be fired from the same cannon exclusively with an essentially flat trajectory, the ammunition unit including a propellant charge and a payload projectile having a rear portion occupying a region corresponding to that occupied by a portion of the propellant charge of the comparable unit.

Ammunition, preferably for use in high-angle fire

An improved inertial projectile arrangement including a subcaliber projectile penetrator which is composed of a prepenetrator portion with a nose point and a main penetrator portion. The penetrator has a large length/diameter ratio and a high density. A sabot, composed of at least two segments, encompasses a part of the prepenetrator portion. The periphery of the encompassed prepenetrator and the sabot being joined to each other by form-locking means. The sabot segments separate from the penetrator upon exiting from the muzzle of the gun barrel from which the projectile is fired. The form-locking means are at least partially formed of irregularities or unevenesses on the periphery of the encompassed prepenetrator portion and the interior periphery of the sabot. A plurality of fracture zones and a transfer frusto-conical portion are disposed on the prepenetrator. The fracture zones achieve an intended breakup of the prepenetrator upon impact. A predetermined number of the fracture zones form part of the form-locking means. The frusto-conical transfer portion adjoins the fracture zone most distant from the nose point of the prepenetrator at one of its ends and the main penetrator portion at the other of its ends.

Inertial projectile having a breakable pre-penetrator

A sub-caliber projectile having a large length to diameter ratio. The projectile includes in coaxial alignment a main body, an intermediate body and a head penetrator. At least the main body consists of a tough material having a high density which is achieved by means of a high content of tungsten or depleted uranium. The intermediate body consists of a macroscopic homogeneous material having a relatively high brittleness. The main body, intermediate body and head penetrator have abutting end faces by means of which they are joined.

Kinetic-energy projectile having a large length to diameter ratio

An improved armor-piercing inertial penetrator projectile having a prepenetrator which has a substantially uniform flight diameter D, over substantially its entire length. A prepenetrator assembly is formed by a plurality of elements which are adapted to interact with the material of the corresponding target upon inpact so as to form an effective surface which has a diameter larger by a predetermined amount than the flight diameter D of the prepenetrator.

Growing community of inventors

Ratingen, Germany

Bernhard Bisping