Fin stabilized projectile

Abstract

A fin stabilized ballistic projectile comprises a projectile body having a plurality of stabilizing fins and an ejectable projectile tip detachably attached to the front of the projectile body. An ejection mechanism is operatively disposed for ejecting the projectile tip. A sensor is disposed in the projectile tip for scanning a target area. A warhead is disposed at the front of the projectile body behind the projectile tip and includes a curved fragmentation plate for discharging fragments at a target, with the fragmentation plate being openly exposed when the projectile tip is ejected, and an explosive charge disposed behind the fragmentation plate. A control unit is connected to the sensor for receiving the target signals and having outputs coupled to the ejection mechanism and the explosive charge, the control unit producing controls signals in dependence of the target signals for causing the ejection mechanism to eject the projectile tip and for subsequently detonating the explosive charge thereby causing the fragmentation plate to break up into fragments and discharging the fragments at high acceleration within an angle of revolution determined by the degree of curvature of the fragmentation plate.