SPIN STABILIZED, DISCARDING SABOT PROJECTILE

• US 3,847,082 A
• Filed: 08/08/1972
• Issued: 11/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fritz Feldmann
• Original Assignee: Fritz Feldmann
• Inventors: Feldmann, Fritz
• Primary Examiner(s): Stahl, Robert F.
• Application Number:
  US05/278,859
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 102/93,94,52
• US Class Current: 102/522
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/064 Sabots enclosing the rear end of a kinetic energy projectile, i.e. having a closed disk shaped obturator base and petals extending forward from said base

Abstract

A discarding sabot projectile of novel construction is provided whereby separation of the components is accomplished by the combined effect of centrifugal force and the impingement of muzzle gases from the exhausting gun barrel. The sabot preferably comprises a metallic base incorporating means to impart spin to the projectile, and a plastic body firmly surrounding and supporting a sub-caliber core so that the longitudinal axis of the sub-caliber core is coincident with the axis of the full caliber projectile. The plastic body includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots, or similar weakening lines, beginning at the rear of the plastic body and extending forward toward the tapered nose. Immediately after discharge from the muzzle, the sabot body starts to separate into symmetrical segments, beginning at the rear of the body, under the centrifugal force of projectile spin. The further opening of the body, which progresses along the weakened lines toward the nose, is such that the body segments are struck by the expanding muzzle gas which, in combination with the centrifugal force of spin, effects final separation and dispersal of body components. Projectile separation as described results in minimized muzzle velocity decay and dispersing effects on the sub-caliber core. Exterior configuration of the projectile is uniquely suited for automatic firing in modern, rapid-fire guns under variable environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A spin-stabilized discarding sabot projectile comprising a full caliber sabot base formed of a relatively soft metal, means on said sabot base for imparting rotation to the projectile during traverse of a gun barrel, a recess in the sabot base, a sub-caliber core fitted into the recess, the core having a conical forward body portion and a generally cylindrical main body portion terminating in a base portion, said base portion of the core having a slot therein into which the metal base is pressed during launch of the projectile to increase the transfer of torque between the base and the core.