US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

William H Drysdale

Richard D Kirkendall

Bruce P Burns

Louise D Kokinakis

James F Newill

Louis D Kokinakis

Christopher P R Hoppel

Kinetic energy projectiles including sabots having stiffened bourrelets which tune and improve shot performance. Shot dispersion for the projectiles is decreased by reducing adverse dynamic perturbations imparted to the projectiles during projectile launch. Reducing dynamic perturbations is accomplished by better controlling interior ballistics by changing the stiffness of the sabot bourrelets.

Tuning saboted projectile performance through bourrelet modification

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.

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Aberdeen, MD, United States of America

William H Drysdale