GB1288732A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1288732 Ammunition rounds; war rocket NORRIS INDUSTRIES Inc 16 Jan 1970 2332/70 Headings F3A and F3C A round of ammunition for use with a launcher comprises a projectile 33c, Fig. 12; a container 34c having an exhaust nozzle 41c for the gases from a propellant charge 39c; a connection, e.g. crimping 43 between the projectile and container which is releasable by the thrust developed when the propellant charge is fired; and means such as a circumferential flange 42c whereby the round is releasably connected to the launcher with the container extending rearwardly from the breech thereof and acting as a discardable rearward extension of the launcher for launching of the round it carries. An obturator 74 provides a gas-tight seal between the projectile and container. A plurality of subsidiary projectiles 75 ejectable by means of an expansible member 76 are contained within a longitudinally divided fairing 52c, the parts of which are kept together by a band 65 which is removed only when the round has been inserted sufficiently far into the breech of the launcher for the parts of the fairing to be kept together without the band. The fairing falls away when the projectile leaves the launcher. The container 43c includes a layer of glass fibre. An electrical igniter 40c for the propellant charge is connectible to energizing means forming part of the launcher. In another embodiment, Fig. 3, the obturator 38a extends the full length of the container 34a and drops away from the projectile 33a in flight. Fins 62 extensible under spring action are contained within the divided fairing 52a. In another embodiment (Fig. 2, not shown) the obturator (38) is integral with the projectile. In a further embodiment, Fig. 11, resilient fins 73 normally overlap one another in a folded position at the rear end of the obturator 38b, and, on the projectile leaving the launcher assume an erected position, as shown. Propellant gas escaping through apertures 72 acts on the fins to rotate the projectiile. A further embodiment (Fig. 13, not shown) comprises a projectile with fixed fins (78). A launcher for the round comprises a tube 20, Fig. 1, a sight 21, a magneto 25 for supplying current to a socket 25 in which the propellant igniter is plugged, ear protectors 30 and 29 connected by resilient means 32 and 31 to a mount 28, and two steel straps 55 and 56 hinged at one end to the tube 20 and connected together at their other ends by a toggle 58, the straps having a U-shaped cross-section so as to engage a flange at the rear end of the tube 20 and the flange on the round whereby the round and launcher are releasably connected together. In yet another embodiment, Fig. 14, the round is provided with a plurality of circumferential locking cams 84 which engage retaining lugs 83 of a modified launcher to releasably connect the round and launcher together.