US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Richard D Kirkendall

Bruce P Burns

William H Drysdale

Louise D Kokinakis

Louis D Kokinakis

A saboted projectile having an elongated sub-projectile having a double-r sabot mounted thereon. The sabot includes a main body portion having a radially extending forward scoop and a central bulkhead between which a toroidal-shaped cavity is formed. A self-sealing container extending between the scoop and the bulkhead encloses the cavity in which a solid propellant is contained. A through-hole, formed in the bulkhead, extends from the cavity to the rear surface of the bulkhead. The through-hole has an opening at the rear of the bulkhead for housing a blow-out plug. An igniter is mounted in the plug for igniting the solid propellant contained in the cavity after a predetermined delay. Ignition may also be achieved via pores or openings in the container which may contain a deterred propellant.

Solid propellant-carrying caboted projectile

The invention is an improved means for the efficient discard of multi-segt sabots. The invention consists of a ring-like mechanism that holds the aft end of the sabot segments in place around the projectile. The ring-like mechanism also serves to seal the interface between the sabot and the projectile. In operation, after the projectile and sabot exit from the muzzle of the launch device, the ring-like mechanism acts as a hinge device which causes the individual sabot segments to pivot about their aft extremity and finally discard as the pivot ring releases.

Pivot ring for a discarding sabot

A segmented sabot utilizes a double ramp configuration and a centrally poioned obturating band in alignment with the center of gravity of an in-bore projectile to improve the uniformity of the shear traction forces at the interface between the sabot segments and a subcaliber projectile, to reduce propellant gas blow-by and to enhance projectile in-bore and trajectory stability. The increased uniformity of shear traction forces between sabot and projectile interfaces and propellant gas self-sealing design permits a reduction in sabot weight of sufficient magnitude to increase the velocity of the projectile at the muzzle exit.

Double ramp discarding sabot

The invention deals with the manufacture of fully segmented sabots used in he launching of subcaliber projectiles. The prior method required the machining of individual sabot segments and fitting them on to the sub-projectile. The improvement involves the casting of the sabot segments with the shimmed sub-projectile pre-positioned in a mold.

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Havre de Grace, MD, United States of America

Richard D Kirkendall