Less-than-lethal ammunition utilizing a sustainer motor

Abstract

A weapon system and corresponding ammunition for causing less-than-lethal effects to a target employ a projectile fired from a rifle-mounted, rifle-operated or dedicated rifle-like device and configured for generating less-than-lethal effects to a human target. The projectile includes a rocket motor configured to mitigate velocity decay of the projectile. The rocket motor is preferably a sustainer motor for maintaining a roughly constant cruise velocity of the projectile.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to less-than-lethal ammunition. More specifically, the present invention relates to less-than-lethal ammunition including a projectile with a sustainer rocket motor, in order to mitigate velocity decay throughout the flight, thereby maintaining a constant level of non-lethality while at the same time reducing sensitivity to cross-range winds and increasing the effective range of the projectile.[0002]Less-than-lethal ammunition is of particular importance in low-intensity conflicts in which military or law-enforcing units face rioting mobs agitated by hostile propaganda including fanatic elements. These military or law-enforcing units are generally outnumbered by the crowds and, if the situation deteriorates, these crowds might try to overwhelm the law-enforcing forces. The crowds might include a mix of civilians and para-military insurgents, and not until the law-enforcing units are exposed to physica...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]According a first aspect, the teaches a projectile for causing less-than-lethal effects to targets, equipped with a rocket motor mitigating the velocity decay of the projectile.

[0012]Thus, according to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, ammunition for causing less-than-lethal effects to a target, the ammunition comprising a projectile configured for generating less-than-lethal effects to a human target, the projectile including a rocket motor configured to mitigate velocity decay of the projectile.

[0018]There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a less-than-lethal weapon system for causing less-than-lethal effects to a human target located between a minimum range and a maximum range, the weapon system comprising: (a) a projectile configured for generating less-than-lethal effects to a human target; and (b) a firing arrangement configured for firing the projectile towards the human target, wherein the projectile includes a rocket motor configured to mitigate velocity decay of the projectile.

Problems solved by technology

These military or law-enforcing units are generally outnumbered by the crowds and, if the situation deteriorates, these crowds might try to overwhelm the law-enforcing forces.

Such scenarios may cause casualties among civilians that have been incited to participate in the riots.

Range, accuracy and effectiveness on one hand, and less-than-lethality on the other hand are opposing requirements that are not easy to reconcile over a broad range.

Extending the range of less-than-lethal projectiles is a serious challenge in view of the fact that less-than-lethal projectiles must be launched with a kinetic energy that does not cause lethal effects on target impact, even at short range.

This hemispherical shape contributes to increased drag.

Velocity decay is an unwelcome feature for less-than-lethal ammunition, as it will result in reduced effectiveness, increased sensitivity to cross-winds and other disturbances as well as a trajectory with a higher curvature that is detrimental to accuracy.

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