Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Steven P Neubauer

Calvin T Candland

Warren E Hawkins

Thomas E Dickovich

An improved ignition system for a fin-stabilized, high intrusion projectile (10) comprises an elongated boom (14) and a hollow fin assembly (16) which extends rearwardly into an external cartridge case (28) containing a consumable containment bag (30) filled with granular propellant (34), and which fits slidably over a primer (54). The primer (54) comprises a stub flash tube (56) extending through the base (40) of the external cartridge case (28) and a long igniter cartridge (58) fitted within the axial bore of the stub flash tube (56). The outer walls of the igniter cartridge (58) are fabricated from a combustible material such as paper, and the interior of the igniter cartridge (58) is filled with strands of benite or a similar explosive. Both the stub flash tube (56) and the hub (17) of the fin assembly (16) are provided with a plurality of transverse drilled flash holes or openings (60) which permit the flame and hot gases from the benite or the like within the igniter cartridge (58) to spread to the granular propellant (34) in the outer cartridge.

Ignition system for high intrusion projectile

A temperature compensating ballistic control tube system for varying the volume containing primary propellant, for the purpose of affecting the effect of the propellant on the projectile in order to compensate for the effect of ambient temperature upon the performance of the primary propellant. The volume containing the primary propellant is changed by pushing the projectile away from the casing containing the primary propellant, down a gun bore by a piston of the ballistic control tube. The piston, pushing the projectile, is moved by an ignited secondary charge in the ballistic control tube. Electronic components detect initial movement of the piston and projectile and, after a certain delay, ignite the primary propellant thereby ejecting the projectile from the gun. A typical primary propellant, within a given volume, is temperature senstive, that is, it provides more force to the projectile at higher temperatures. Increasing the volume, by moving the projectile with the ballistic control tube piston before igniting the primary propellant, reduces the performance of the ejected projectile in accordance with an amount of delay inserted between the moments of initial movement of the piston and ignition of the primary propellant. The projectile is moved more prior to primary propellant ignition, at warmer temperatures so as to further increase the primary propellant volume since the cartridge is designed for maximum projectile performance at cold temperatures.

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Maple Grove, MN, United States of America

Steven P Neubauer