High velocity ammunition round

• US 8,096,243 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan Z. Glasser
• Original Assignee: Alan Z. Glasser
• Inventors: Glasser, Alan Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber, Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US12/660,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 102/501, 102517-523, 102/703, 102/400, 244/3.27, 244/3.28, 244/3.24
• US Class Current: 102/501
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/08 Flechette-type projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/40 with combustion of a slow-burning charge, e.g. fumers, base-bleed projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/46 Streamlined nose cones; Windshields; Radomes F42B12/105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/06 with hard or heavy core; Kinetic energy penetrators F42B12/16, F42B12/74 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/34 expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/44 of incendiary type F42B12/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/06 Sub-calibre projectiles having sabots; Sabots therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/061 Sabots for long rod fin stabilised kinetic energy projectiles, i.e. multisegment sabots attached midway on the projectile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 14/08 Sabots filled with propulsive charges; Removing sabots by combustion of pyrotechnic elements or by propulsive-gas pressure arrangements on barrels for removing sabots from projectiles F41A21/46
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/025 characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 102/703 Flechette

Abstract

A sub-caliber bullet with an aerodynamic shape has long-range accuracy due to a high muzzle velocity and reduced time of flight to a target. The bullet has a forward portion, a mid-portion and an aft portion. The forward portion has a density in excess of 10/cm³ while the mid-portion has a lower density. The bullet has an aspect ratio of at least 5:1 and a diameter, d, that satisfies a Power Law equation:
d=D*(x/L)ⁿ

where D is a maximum bullet diameter, L is the length, x is a distance rearward from a nose of the bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75. In some embodiments, a blind bore extends into the mid-portion from the aft portion and a sustainer propellant within the blind bore ignites as the bullet exits a gun muzzle to provide a velocity boost and to overcome aerodynamic drag.

Claims

1. A sub-caliber bullet having long-range accuracy, comprising:

a forward portion, a mid-portion and an aft portion, said aft portion having an outwardly extending feature that contributes to aerodynamic stability;

said forward portion being a first material having a first density that is in excess of 10 g/cm³ and both said mid-portion and said aft portion being of a material different from said first material and having a respective density that is less than said first density;

said sub-caliber bullet having a length, L, to maximum diameter, D, aspect ratio, L;

D, of at least 5;

1; and

a diameter, d, of said entire forward portion and of said entire mid-portion satisfying an aerodynamic equation selected from the group consisting of Power Law equation;

d=D*(x/L)ⁿ

where;

x is a distance rearward from a nose of said sub-caliber bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75 and a Von Karman Ogive equation;

d=D*((Θ

−

(sin(2Θ

/2))/π

^1/2)^1/2

where

Θ

=arccos(1−

(2*x)/L).

2. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 1 wherein n is approximately 0.67.

3. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 2 wherein said forward portion is selected from the group consisting of copper-jacketed lead, tungsten, tantalum, alloys thereof and composites thereof.

4. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 3 wherein said aspect ratio, L:

D, is approximately 10;

1.

5. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 3 wherein said aft portion has a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extending whiskers symmetrically disposed about a circumference thereof.

6. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 5 wherein said forward portion is selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tungsten alloys and tungsten composites.

7. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 6 wherein said mid-portion is hollow.

8. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 6 wherein both said mid-portion and said aft portion are made from a composite of glass or carbon.

9. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 6 wherein said aft portion is a reinforced polymer composite.

10. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 3 wherein said aft portion has a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extending fins symmetrically disposed about a circumference thereof.

11. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 10 wherein said aft portion has a boat tail configuration.

12. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 10 wherein a blind bore extends into said mid-portion from said aft portion.

13. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 12 wherein a propellant selected from the group consisting of sustainer propellant and base-bleed propellant occupies said blind bore and an igniter is in flame communication with said sustainer propellant.

14. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 13 wherein said igniter includes at least one gas-filled frangible sphere, said frangible sphere having a wall thickness effective to burst at a desired pressure.

15. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 10 wherein said forward portion is selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tungsten alloys and tungsten composites.

16. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 15 wherein said mid-portion is hollow.

17. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 15 wherein both said mid-portion and said aft portion are made from a composite of glass or carbon.

18. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 15 wherein said aft portion is a reinforced polymer composite.

19. An ammunition round including a sub-caliber bullet having long range accuracy, comprising:

a cartridge case filled with a cartridge propellant and having a bullet/sabot assembly partially inserted into an open end thereof;

said sabot having a full caliber forward portion with a length effective to support said bullet; and

said sub-caliber bullet having a forward portion, a mid-portion and an aft portion with said aft portion having an outwardly extending feature that contributes to aerodynamic stability and said forward portion being a first material having a first density that is in excess of 10 g/cm³ and both said mid-portion and said aft portion being of a material different from said first material and having a respective density that is less than said first density, said sub-caliber bullet having a length, L, to maximum diameter, D, aspect ratio, L;

D, of at least 5;

1 and a diameter, d, of said entire forward portion and of said entire mid-portion satisfying an aerodynamic equation selected from the group consisting of a Power Law equation;

d=D*(x/L)ⁿ

where;

x is a distance rearward from a nose of said sub-caliber bullet and n is a Power Law exponent that is between 0.5 and 0.75, a Von Karman Ogive equation;

d=D*((Θ

−

(sin(2Θ

/2))/π

^1/2)^1/2

where

Θ

=arccos(1−

(2*x)/L)

and a multi conic ogive.

20. The ammunition round of claim 19 wherein said sabot is formed from a plurality of segments held together by at least one slip ring that circumscribes said forward portion of said sabot and engages said sabot in a loose friction fit.

21. The ammunition round of claim 20 wherein said aft section of said bullet has a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extending whiskers symmetrically disposed about a circumference thereof.

22. The ammunition round of claim 20 wherein said Power Law exponent, n, is approximately 0.67.

23. The ammunition round of claim 20 wherein said aft section of said bullet has a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extending fins symmetrically disposed about a circumference thereof.

24. The ammunition round of claim 23 wherein a blind bore extends into said mid-portion from said aft portion and a propellant selected from the group consisting of sustainer propellant and base-bleed propellant occupies said blind bore with an igniter is in flame communication with said sustainer propellant.

25. The ammunition round of claim 24 wherein said igniter is effective to ignite said sustainer propellant after said bullet exits a gun muzzle.

26. The ammunition round of claim 25 wherein said igniter includes at least one gas-filled frangible sphere, said frangible sphere having a wall thickness effective to burst at a desired pressure.

27. The sub-caliber bullet of claim 23 wherein said aft portion has a boat tail configuration.