Inertial penetrator projectile

US4716834A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Rheinmetall GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Peter Wallow · Düsseldorf, DE
• Bernhard Bisping · Ratingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 1985
• Grant date: Jan 5, 1988
• Expiry date: Aug 14, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F42B12/06
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved inertial armor-piercing penetrator projectile wherein the axial length of the projectile is a relatively large multiple of its diameter. The projectile includes a pre-penetrator and a main penetrator with a nose and a tail. The forward portion of the main penetrator is operatively connected to the tail of the pre-penetrator. The pre-penetrator comprises a plurality of partial cores which are axially arranged one behind the other and are operatively connected to each other at mutual coupling regions so as to form a stack. The stack of partial cores includes centering and/or fixing means which may take various forms and can be selectively exchanged. The cover and the centering and/or fixing means are adapted to achieve a predetermined fracturing or separation upon the application of a predetermined load. Thus, the centering and/or fixing means include a weakened portion where the fracturing or separation occurs. The construction and arrangement of the partial cores is such that each partial core differs from the adjacent partial core with respect to dimensions and/or material so that a front partial core will sufficiently disintegrate upon impact prior to the next followi…