US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Matsys Inc.

Steven C Lawver

Tony F Zahrah

Roderick Rowland

Deepak Kapoor

Michael E Ellis

John E Brough

Michael V Bruno

Sergio Torrejon

James Grzybek

Joshua McGowan

A method for preparing a composite projectile body with preformed fragments precisely embedded within the walls of the projectile body. The process utilizes a combination of additive manufacturing and advanced powder metallurgy fabrication techniques. Specifically a skeletal structure or prefabricated cage body is filled with preformed fragments. The cage structure may be situated on a mandrel or tool inside a container. The container is filled with metal powder, degassed under vacuum, and sealed. The canister is then subjected to heat and pressure to consolidate the powder to full density. The canister is then removed and the compacted billet product is further machined to obtain a desired projectile body.

Method of manufacturing composite projectile body embedded with preformed fragments

A device is provided for the controlled and precise delivery of powders, including cohesive powders, based on a fluidization technique to directly reduce inter-particle friction and using a fluidizing gas as an air-bearing. The device preferably includes no moving parts, no sealing gaskets or sealing surfaces. Unlike mechanically actuated valves, the powders dispensed by the current device do not experience mechanical shearing, thereby reducing wear and thus increasing the service life of the apparatus.

Fluidized powder valve system

Process for making a fragmentation warhead using hot isostatic pressing where tungsten spheres, powdered steel, and interlock features on a mandrel are consolidated in a matrix. Then in the finished part, the front fragmentation cap, rear and interior geometries are machined, resulting in a finished warhead with an enhanced performance fragmentation cap integrally bonded to it.

Method for making a composite fragmentation cap that is integrally formed onto a projectile body

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Sterling, VA, United States of America

Steven C Lawver