Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft

Cornelis Taal

Bernhard Bisping

Ulrich Theis

Siegfried Kessler

Michaed Vagedes

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.

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Cornelis Taal