Extended range projectile

The present application relates to projectiles, and more particularly to an extended range non-propulsive projectile.

Conventional non-propulsive projectiles such as bullets, shells, mortars, or other non-propelled aeroshell projectiles are range and terminal energy limited primarily due to the projectiles drag. On a representative projectile, a fore body section generates approximately 65% of the total drag, skin friction generates approximately 5% of the total drag and a base section generates approximately 30% of the total drag. Base drag contributes generally to a relatively large part of the total drag and depends upon the fact that the base pressure due to the resulting wake flow aft of the base section is lower than the ambient air pressure.

Some high velocity projectiles are shape optimized to minimize drag. One such shape optimized projectile includes an aft section shaped to define a reduced diameter or “boat-tail” shape to minimize base drag. Although effective, projectile shape optimization is inherently limited by design objectives of the particular projectile such as mass, payload, and terminal energy.

A projectile according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: an exhaust manifold defined within a projectile base; and a storage tank operable to release a working fluid through said exhaust manifold to at least partially fill a wake aft of the projectile during projectile flight.

A method of extending the range of a non-propulsive projectile according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: releasing a working fluid from a storage tank contained within a projectile through an exhaust manifold during a flight of the projectile to at least partially fill a wake aft of the projectile.

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a is a partial cut away longitudinal cross-sectional view of an ammunition round including an extended range projectile according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention chambered in a weapon;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of a round of ammunition;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of a projectile according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal section of the projectile of FIG. 3 after an initial acceleration;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of another projectile according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal section of the projectile of FIG. 3 after an initial acceleration;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of another projectile according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A is a longitudinal section of the projectile of FIG. 3 after an initial acceleration;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a PRIOR ART conventional projectile which produces a turbulent wake flow;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an extended range projectile with wake fill that reduces turbulence and wake drag;

FIG. 8 is an expanded section view of a aft section of a projectile with an aperture type according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an expanded section view of a aft section of a projectile with an aperture type according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an expanded section view of a aft section of a projectile with an aperture type according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of a projectile with an aperture pattern according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a projectile with an aperture pattern according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a graph of a comparison between a conventional projectile speed vs distance relative an enhanced range projectile with wake fill.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary weapon system 10 which generally includes a barrel 12 which extends from a chamber 14 to a muzzle 16 . The barrel 12 extends along a longitudinal axis A and may include a rifled or smooth bore. The illustrated weapon is illustrated in a highly schematic fashion and is not intended to be a precise depiction of an weapon system but is typical of a firearm or cannon which fires an ammunition round 20 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the ammunition round 20 generally includes a cartridge case 22 which fires a non-propulsive projectile 24 with a propellant 26 initiated by a primer 28 . The projectile 24 is generally at least partially seated within a mouth of the case 22 such that a projectile aft portion 24 A extends at least partially into the case 22 and a forward portion 24 F extends out of the case 22 along a longitudinal axis A. Although a particular cased ammunition round typical of a high velocity rifle cartridge such as .50 Caliber (12.7 mm) ammunition is illustrated and described in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, other configurations including other cased, case-less, bullets, shells, mortars, or other non-propulsive aeroshells fired by various weapon systems will also benefit herefrom.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the projectile 24 generally includes a core 30 surrounded at least in part by a jacket 32 . The core 30 is typically manufactured of one or more sections of a relatively heavy material such as lead, steel, tungsten-carbide or other material. That is, the core 30 may include various sections of various metals such as, for example only, an aft lead core section with a forward tungsten-carbide penetrator core section. The jacket 32 is typically manufactured of a gilding metal such as a copper alloy and includes a cannelure 32 C at which the projectile 24 is seated within the mouth of the case 22 . The location of the cannelure 32 C generally defines the aft portion 24 A and the forward portion 24 F of the projectile 24 . The projectile aft portion 24 A includes a projectile base 34 and the projectile forward portion 24 F includes a nose 36 which may be of a closed tip or open tip design. Although a particular projectile configuration is illustrated and described in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, other projectile configurations including cased, case-less, bullets, shells, mortars, or other non-propelled aeroshells fired by various weapon systems will also benefit herefrom.

The projectile 24 further includes a storage tank 38 , an initiator 40 , a distribution manifold 42 and an exhaust manifold 48 . The storage tank 38 and the initiator 40 are enclosed within the jacket 32 and may be at least partially retained and positioned within a cavity 44 formed in the core 30 . It should also be understood that the disclosure is not restricted to applications where the storage tank 38 is oriented and positioned only as illustrated in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment and that the storage tank 38 may be alternatively oriented and positioned. The distribution manifold 42 provides a communication path for a working fluid such as a compressed gas or liquid contained within the storage tank 38 though the exhaust manifold 48 within projectile base 34 to reduce projectile base drag by wake filling aft of the projectile 24 . Whereas the projectile 24 typically includes a multitude of components, the distribution manifold 42 and the exhaust manifold 48 are readily manufactured into one or more of the sections and assembled into the projectile 24 . That is, the projectile base 34 may in part be formed by a section of the core 30 , the jacket 32 or some combination thereof.

The working fluid in one non-limiting embodiment is of a low molecular weight, a high specific gravity, a low latent heat of vaporization and a low specific heat. Low molecular weight to provide an increased volumetric fill capability per gram of gas or vapor expended. High specific gravity provides a relatively high fluid mass within the available storage volume. Low latent heat of vaporization reduces the fluid temperature drop during expansion and retains the gas volume accordingly. Low specific heat increases the temperature gain during adiabatic compression when the projectile is fired at high G loads. Various combinations of these factors are utilized to establish the working fluid state and characteristics both in the storage tank 38 , and in the projectile wake to optimize effectiveness. For example only, a higher fluid temperature resulting in a higher wake fill volume may be achieved by selecting a higher CP propellant when launched at a high G load. Also, a higher temperature when stored within the storage tank 38 may allow use of a higher specific heat working fluid which may cool over the projectile flight but still retain the advantageous thermal properties. Optimization of the extended range capability can be obtained through several various working fluids, some candidates of which are detailed in Table 1:

The working fluid may be stored within the storage tank 38 as a compressed gas or liquid including but not limited to those of Table 1. In one non-limiting embodiment, the working fluid is stored between 5000 psi and 10,000 psi. It should be understand that other pressures commensurate with projectile size and range may alternatively be provided.

The working fluid is released either by the initial acceleration or at a designated time after firing of the projectile 24 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the initiator 40 is represented as an acceleration activated relative displacement between the storage tank 38 and the initiator 40 ( FIG. 3A ). The initiator 40 in this non-limiting embodiment is a hollow punch which penetrates a plug 46 of the storage tank 38 to initiate flow of the working fluid. That is, either or both of the storage tank 38 and the initiator 40 are relatively movable within the cavity 44 in response to firing of the projectile 24 . Alternatively, depending on the working fluid selected and the acceleration of the projectile, a burst disk may be used to release the propellant. The burst disk may be activated by acceleration of the working fluid or by pressure increase from adiabatic compression of the working fluid, or by other means as appropriate to the fluid and embodiment selected.

Alternatively, the plug 46 is dislodged from the storage tank 38 in response to firing of a projectile 24 ′. In one non-limiting embodiment, the storage tank 38 is positioned such that the plug 46 is directed toward the nose of the projectile 24 ′ and retained within a forward core portion 30 F ( FIG. 4 ). The plug 46 may be bonded crimped, or otherwise retained within the forward core portion 30 F such that an initial acceleration of the projectile 24 ′ causes the storage tank 38 to move aft relative to the forward core portion 30 F ( FIG. 4A ) which separates the plug 46 from the storage tank 38 and thereby releases the working fluid. Alternatively, the plug 46 bursts in response to firing without movement of the tank 38 being required.

Alternatively, the plug 46 is of an electro-mechanical or chemical composition which opens in response to firing of the projectile 24 ″. In one non-limiting embodiment, the propellant 26 ( FIG. 2 ) is communicated into the projectile 24 ″ through the exhaust manifold and distribution manifold 42 when the projectile 24 ″ is fired to essentially burn out the plug 46 ( FIGS. 5 and 5A ). As the plug 46 may be burned-out, a delay is thereby generated between firing of the projectile 24 ″ and release of the working fluid.

The working fluid flows through the distribution manifold 42 to an exhaust manifold 48 formed in the projectile base 34 to wake fill behind the projectile base and thereby reduce projectile base drag ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The working fluid is expanded to approximately one atmospheric pressure or less than one atmospheric pressure though the distribution manifold 42 and exhaust manifold 48 to optimize working fluid utilization. The wake fill may be a full or partial wake fill. Working fluid flow at a generally constant rate may also provide only a partial wake fill at high projectile velocities and a full wake fill at reduced projectile velocities. It should be understood that working fluid expansion need only exceeds the base pressure to extend projectile range. The momentum of the working fluid in accordance with this disclosure is relatively low and therefore the force of reaction on the projectile 24 is negligible as compared to a rocket-type propulsion.

A heat source 50 or other catalytic may additionally be located adjacent the storage tank 38 to increase the temperature of the working fluid ( FIG. 5 ). The heat source 50 may be ignited by the propellant 26 ( FIG. 2 ) which is communicated into the projectile 24 through the exhaust manifold 48 and distribution manifold 42 when the projectile 24 is fired.

Additional sources of heat and/or ignition of the heat source 50 may alternatively or additionally be provided from adiabatic compression and frictional heating as the projectile 24 travels within the barrel 12 ( FIG. 1 ). The propellant 26 may alternatively or additionally cause the working fluid to at least partially combust and increase optimal usage thereof.

The exhaust manifold 48 may include a multiple of apertures 52 formed through the projectile base 34 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the apertures 52 A are straight-walled cylindrical holes with an area ratio of one ( FIG. 8 ) which may, for example only, be punch manufactured through the projectile base 34 . In another on-limiting embodiment, the apertures 52 B are conical shaped ( FIG. 9 ) or the apertures 52 C are bell shaped ( FIG. 10 ). Although the apertures 52 A are relatively uncomplicated to manufacture relative the apertures 52 B or 52 C, the apertures 52 B, 52 C may provide increased performance. Exhaust manifold exit profiles are shown as circular in this non-limiting embodiment but other exit profile may be applied.

The distribution manifold 42 facilitates an arrangement of apertures 52 into a desired pattern. The apertures 52 may be arranged in a ring pattern ( FIG. 11 ), showerhead pattern ( FIG. 12 ) or other pattern to provide a desired wake fill.

Referring to FIG. 7 , wake fill reduces turbulence and wake drag relative a conventional projectile which generates a turbulent wake ( FIG. 6 ). The wake fill can reduce the total projectile drag up to 30% and increase the effective range by up to 50%, increase projectile velocity relative to distance, and thereby extend projectile range. Increased energy versus distance and increases the effective impact of the projectile even at standard ranges.

For a given working fluid flow, the completeness of wake filling will increase as the projectile velocity decreases. Because of this characteristic, delay of the wake fill initiation may extend the range further than wake fill initiated upon launch. The wake fill may be delayed through an eroding throat formed into the distribution manifold 42 and/or the apertures 52 . Utilization of a differential eroding throat within each aperture 52 or pattern of apertures 52 facilitates a wake fill pattern which changes during the projectile 24 flight.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the storage tank 38 capacity available within the projective determines the resultant range extension with nitrous oxide as the working fluid. The range extension is expressed as a proportion of the total projectile mass, with a projectile aspect ratio of approximately 11 to 1. The effectiveness of the working fluid fill will increase approximately linear with higher aspect ratio and reduce with reduction of the aspect ratio. As illustrated, increased working fluid storage capacity is related to range extension. Other factors which may affect range extension includes working fluid utilization effectiveness as controlled by the working fluid properties (temperature and density) and nozzle effectiveness.

It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.

It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit from the instant invention.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The disclosed embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.