Penetrator

Abstract

The invention relates to a penetrator (1) for a projectile (3), comprising a main part (5) which has a terminal ballistic effect and comprising at least one signal line (12) which is guided from a rear end (7) to a front end (6) of the main part (5), said main part (5) having at least one outer thread (9). According to the invention, the signal line (12) is at least partly guided along a thread base (13) of the outer thread (9).

Description

[0001] Title: Penetrator

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a penetrator for a projectile, having a terminal ballistic main body and having at least one signal line leading from a rear end to a front end of the main body, wherein the main body has at least one external thread.

[0004] The invention further relates to the use of such a penetrator for engaging an armored target, in particular an armored target with reactive armor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a projectile, in particular a sub-caliber kinetic energy projectile, comprising such a penetrator and a sabot.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a cartridge-type ammunition comprising such a projectile and a propellant charge.

[0006] A penetrator is a component of a projectile that achieves its effect—namely, at least the penetration of a target's armor and, in particular, the associated destruction of the target—through kinetic energy alone. The design and function of penetrators are well known in the art.

[0007] A penetrator of the type mentioned above is disclosed, for example, in the published patent application DE 10 2019 126 604 A1. The penetrator has a main body that is usually made of a solid material, e.g. a tungsten heavy metal. The main body is the terminally ballistic part of the penetrator, which is usually cylindrical with a tapered front end. To improve the (external) ballistic flight phase of the penetrator, i.e. the path from the muzzle of a projectile barrel, from which the penetrator or the corresponding projectile is fired, to the target at which the penetrator or the main body has a terminal ballistic effect, the penetrator also has a tail unit that is attached to a front end of the main body (tail) opposite the tapered front end (tip or front).

[0008] The tail unit serves or is designed to aerodynamically stabilize the penetrator during the (external) ballistic flight phase and thus to ensure the accuracy of the penetrator.

[0009] When the penetrator is used as intended, shortly before it is fired, target information, in particular the time of flight, must be transferred from a fire control computer to a control unit usually located in the area of ​​the front end of the main body, i.e. the pointed front side. This is usually done with the help of a signal line that runs along a central longitudinal axis of the penetrator from the rear end, i.e. the end with the tail, to the front end of the main body (tip or front). This signal line receives the signals from the fire control computer at the rear end and forwards them to the control unit.

[0010] Regarding the concrete routing of the signal line from the rear to the front end of the main body, several solutions are known from the state of the art:

[0011] In a first solution, the signal line is routed within the main body, usually through a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body. However, due to the material removal required to form the cavity, this solution poses the problem that the mechanical properties of the penetrator, in particular its power-to-weight ratio and mechanical stability, are negatively affected, resulting in a reduced penetration effect.

[0012] In a second known solution, the signal line is embedded in a combustible casing that houses the penetrator and, together with the penetrator, forms a projectile. However, this solution has adverse effects on environmental resistance, i.e., the stability of the signal line attachment against environmental influences, as well as the residue-free combustion of the casing and signal line after the projectile or penetrator is fired.

[0013] In a third known solution, the signal cable is routed within a sabot segment of the penetrator. Such sabot segments are generally known. However, this solution has disadvantages regarding the durability and stability of the signal cable attachment, as well as the symmetrical opening of the sabot segment after passage through the muzzle, which negatively impacts the hit rate.

[0014] The object of the invention is to provide a penetrator which is improved in comparison thereto, wherein in particular a routing of the signal line is provided which does not substantially impair the durability and performance of the penetrator and thus a signal routing which impairs the main components of the projectile or penetrator as little as possible.

[0015] The object is achieved by a penetrator having the features of claim 1. This is characterized in that the signal line is guided at least in sections, i.e. over a section of the signal line, along a thread root of the external thread.

[0016] This has the advantage that the penetrator can continue to be designed with advantageous mechanical properties without being influenced by the signal line. By routing the signal line along the thread root, there are essentially no adverse effects on a sabot segment assigned to the penetrator, a sleeve or the penetrator itself, in particular its main body. This provides a simple and cost-effective solution for routing the signal line, which utilizes the properties already present in the main body, i.e. the always present external thread.

[0017] In this respect, the solution according to the invention uses the external thread which is present as standard for guiding the signal line, which does not interfere with the penetrator or elements associated with the penetrator.

[0018] The external thread is thus arranged in the region between the two ends or at one of the two ends, or the corresponding end of the main body is formed by the external thread or at least co-formed by it. The external thread thus extends over regions of the outer wall (surface) of the main body or is formed in the outer wall, in particular, is formed integrally with the outer wall.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the thread root is understood to mean a bottom of the external thread (core diameter), i.e. (looking from the outside at the external thread) the deepest point or points of the cuts in the main body forming the external thread.

[0020] The signal line is routed, in particular, along the central longitudinal axis, at least in sections on the outside (e.g., within or beneath a vulcanized portion of the main body and / or inside the penetrator (in a corresponding channel)). This advantageously results in a durable and secure routing of the signal line.

[0021] Optionally, the penetrator or the main body can have several external threads, particularly of the same type (left-hand thread / right-hand thread). The diameter of each external thread can be different.

[0022] For example, a first external thread, which is arranged in the region of the front end of the main body and serves to fasten a penetrator tip, can have a smaller external diameter (i.e. is narrower) than a second external thread, which is arranged in particular in the central region of the main body and is designed to fasten a sabot.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the signal line can be firmly attached to the thread base. This advantageously ensures a simple, cost-effective, yet secure attachment of the signal line.

[0024] Preferably, the signal line can be secured to the thread base by adhesive or bonding. Alternatively or additionally, a force-locking and / or positive-locking fastening is conceivable.

[0025] Preferably, the signal line is designed as a flat stranded wire. The signal line advantageously requires a comparatively small amount of space, thus impairing the function of the external thread only negligibly, if at all.

[0026] Flat in this context means that the strand has a rectangular or oval cross-section. The strand is placed on the thread root in such a way that it protrudes as little as possible (with the flat side or towards the root / inserted "crosswise" into the thread root). In other words, the strand rests with its flat side on the thread root and only extends "upwards" with its narrow side. In particular, the strand has cross-sectional dimensions of less than or equal to 0.35 mm. For example, with a rectangular or oval cross-section, the longer outer dimension of the cross-section (flat side or main axis) can have a dimension of less than or equal to 0.35 mm.

[0027] Particularly preferably, the thread base is recessed or has a recess to accommodate the signal line. This provides the advantage of a particularly space-saving, secure arrangement of the signal line, while at the same time having only a minimal impact on the functionality of the external thread.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, "recessed" means that the thread root is deeper (in particular, 0.6 - 1 mm deeper) than would actually be necessary to accommodate a thread complementary to the external thread that interacts with it during intended use. In this case, the thread root exhibits additional material removal, which is formed, for example, during the manufacture of the penetrator or main body.

[0029] In other words, the thread root is recessed, meaning the external thread has a smaller core diameter relative to its nominal diameter (a core diameter smaller than what is normally expected for a (e.g., metric) thread of this size). The recess in question, in turn, is understood to be a recess in the thread root that precisely fits the strand, i.e., a recess into which the strand can be precisely inserted. In particular, the recess enables a positive fastening of the strand to the thread root.

[0030] The penetrator can preferably have a penetrator tip thread as an external thread, in particular a first external thread, which is designed for fastening a penetrator tip and is arranged in the region of the front end (front). This advantageously enables a simple yet mechanically stable fastening of the penetrator tip to the main body, wherein the penetrator tip can be further increased by means of the penetrator tip.

[0031] The penetrator tip thread is therefore located at the front end of the main body. The front end can also be formed by the penetrator tip thread or at least be co-formed. The penetrator tip thread is designed to complement a corresponding internal thread of the penetrator tip.

[0032] In particular, it can be provided that the penetrator has a sabot thread as an external thread, in particular a second external thread, which is designed for fastening a sabot and is arranged in the region between the rear end and the front end of the main body. This advantageously ensures a simple and, at the same time, mechanically stable fastening of the sabot to the main body.

[0033] Preferably, the sabot thread is formed integrally with the main body, for example, cut into its outer shell or lateral surface. The sabot thread is thus complementary to a corresponding internal thread of the sabot.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the penetrator can be provided with both the penetrator tip thread and the sabot thread. This results in the advantages already mentioned above with regard to the two threads.

[0035] The projectile with the features of claim 8 has a penetrator and a sabot, and is characterized in that the penetrator is designed according to the invention as described above. This results in the advantages already mentioned in this regard. The projectile can preferably be designed as a sub-caliber kinetic energy projectile.

[0036] The cartridge-loaded ammunition with the features of claim 9 comprises a projectile and a propellant charge, and is characterized in that the projectile is designed according to the invention, as described above. This results in the advantages already mentioned. When using the penetrator according to the invention according to claim 10, it is used to engage an armored target, in particular an armored target with reactive armor. The penetrator thereby has the advantages already mentioned.

[0037] Preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and the claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals, if necessary, however, only once. They show:

[0038] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic representation of an advantageous penetrator, and

[0039] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an external thread of the penetrator in the area of ​​a section G from Fig. l.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic representation of a penetrator 1 for use in engaging an armored target. Together with a sabot 2 indicated in Figure 1 by dashed lines, the penetrator 1 forms a projectile 3, which is designed in particular as a sub-caliber kinetic energy projectile. The projectile 3, in turn, together with other elements not shown in Figure 1 for reasons of clarity, in particular a propellant charge and a casing, forms a component of a cartridge-loaded ammunition 4.

[0041] The penetrator 1 achieves its target engagement effect solely through kinetic energy. For this purpose, the penetrator 1 has a cylindrical or pin-shaped main body 5 extending along a central longitudinal axis L, which is preferably formed at least partially from a heavy metal, in particular tungsten heavy metal. The main body 5 has a front end 6 (front) (facing the target to be engaged, i.e. aligned in the direction of flight) and a rear end 7 (tail), with a tail unit 8 being fastened, for example by means of a material bond, to the rear end 7.

[0042] The tail unit 8 serves or is designed to aerodynamically stabilize the main body 5 or penetrator 1 during an (external) ballistic flight phase. The (external) ballistic flight phase essentially involves the flight path of the penetrator 1, starting from the muzzle of a projectile tube (not shown here), from which the penetrator 1 or projectile 3 is fired, until it impacts the target to be engaged.

[0043] In order to advantageously enable an easily mountable yet mechanically stable fastening of elements assigned to the penetrator 1 or forming part of the penetrator, in particular the sabot 2, to the main body 5, the penetrator 1 shown in Figure 1 is provided with the main body 5 having at least one external thread 9, which is in particular formed integrally with the main body 5. In the example, the main body 5 has two such external threads 9, which are preferably each cut into the outer shell or lateral surface of the main body 5.

[0044] A first external thread 9 is designed as a sabot thread 9' and, as can be seen in Figure 1, is arranged in the central region, i.e. between the front end 6 and the rear end 7, of the main body 5. The sabot thread 9' is preferably designed as a metric thread (left-hand thread or right-hand thread) and complementary to a corresponding internal thread of the sabot 2. The interaction of the sabot thread 9' and the corresponding internal thread of the sabot 2 enables a positive fastening of the sabot 2 to the main body 5.

[0045] The second external thread 9 is designed here as a penetrator tip thread 9'' and is arranged at the front end 6 of the main body 5. In particular, the front end 6 is formed or at least co-formed by the penetrator tip thread 9''. By means of the penetrator tip thread 9'', a penetrator tip 10 can be mounted on the main body 5 in the region of the front end 6.

[0046] The penetrator tip 10 serves in particular to further increase the penetrating power of the penetrator 1, for which purpose the penetrator tip 10 is formed, for example, from a more robust or more penetrative material than the main body 5. The penetrator tip 10 is fastened to the main body 5 by means of an interaction between the penetrator tip thread 9'' and a complementary internal thread 11 of the penetrator tip 10. This allows the penetrator tip 10 to be screwed onto the front end 6 in a simple manner.

[0047] Preferably, the sabot thread 9 ' and the penetrator tip thread 9 '' are of the same design, but can of course also be different from one another.

[0048] As mentioned above, when the penetrator 1 is used as intended, it is often necessary to transmit signals output by a fire control computer to a control unit typically located in the region of the front end 6 of the penetrator 1. For this purpose, the penetrator 1 has a signal line 12 that runs from the rear end 7 to the front end 6 along the central longitudinal axis L of the main body 5 or penetrator 1.

[0049] Figure 1 shows an example of the signal line 12 in a highly simplified manner. The signal line 12 can be routed, at least in sections, both inside and outside the main body 5. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the signal line 12 is designed as a flat stranded wire 12. In order to ensure protected and mechanically stable guidance of the stranded wire 12, which impairs the mechanical properties and functionality of the penetrator 1 as little as possible, it is advantageously provided in the present penetrator 1 that the stranded wire 12 is guided in the region of the external thread 9 along a respective thread root 13 of the respective external thread 9.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an enlarged image of an area G from Figure 1, showing a simplified cross-sectional view of the external thread 9, in this case the sabot thread 9'. The illustration according to Figure 2, or the guidance of the strand 12 shown there, can be applied analogously to the penetrator tip thread 9''.

[0051] As already mentioned, it is advantageously provided that the strand 12 is guided along the thread root 13. As can be seen in Figure 2, the thread root 13 is the bottom or the deepest point of the external thread 9. The strand 12 is placed with its flat side on the thread root 13.

[0052] In order not to impair the functionality of the external thread 9, i.e. the interaction with a corresponding internal thread, in this case an internal thread 14 of the sabot 2, two possible solutions for guiding the strand 12 along the thread root 13 or a corresponding design of the external thread 9 enabling this guidance are provided in the present penetrator 1:

[0053] In the first possible solution, the thread root 13 is recessed. This means that the thread root 13 is deeper than would actually be necessary to accommodate the complementary internal thread 14, so that the thread root 13 has a material removal rate. In this respect, as can be seen from the illustration in Figure 2, in the intended arrangement of the internal thread 14 on or in the external thread 9, shown by dashed lines, there is a distance A between the thread root 13 and a surface of the internal thread 14. Within this distance, the stranded wire 12 can advantageously be guided along the thread root 13 without the interaction between the external thread 9 and the internal thread 14 being impaired. Furthermore, the stranded wire 12 is advantageously protected from external influences by the internal thread 14.

[0054] In the second possibility for guiding the strand 12 along the thread root 13, the thread root has a recess 15 which is assigned to the strand 12 and is essentially complementary to this, and into which the strand 12 can be inserted. The recess 15 is shown in Figure 2 using dashed lines. The recess 15 advantageously enables not only a protected but also a form-fitting fastening or guiding of the strand 12 on the thread root 13. In this possible solution, it is particularly provided that the thread root 13 is not recessed, but has the said recess 15 instead of the recessed formation. In both of the previously mentioned possible solutions, it is preferably provided that the strand 12 is fastened to the thread root 13 in a material-fitting manner, for example by gluing. Outside the thread root 13, the strand 12 can be guided along the main body 5 in a known manner, e.g.in a vulcanization, on the outer surface of the main body 5 or through a channel in the interior of the main body 5 .

Claims

Patent claims 1. Penetrator (1) for a projectile (3), with a terminal ballistic main body (5) and with at least one signal line (12) guided from a rear end (7) to a front end (6) of the main body (5), wherein the main body (5) has at least one external thread (9), characterized in that the signal line (12) is guided at least in sections along a thread root (13) of the external thread (9).

2. Penetrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal line (12) is firmly attached to the thread base (13).

3. Penetrator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal line (12) is designed as a flat stranded wire (12).

4. Penetrator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread base (13) is recessed or has a recess (15) for receiving the signal line (12).

5. Penetrator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the penetrator (1) has as external thread (9), in particular first external thread, a penetrator tip thread (9'') which is designed for fastening a penetrator tip (10) and is arranged in the region of the front end (6) of the main body (5).

6. Penetrator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the penetrator (1) has as external thread (9), in particular second external thread, a sabot thread (9') which is designed for fastening a sabot (2) and is arranged in the region between the rear end (7) and the front end (6) of the main body (5).

7. Penetrator according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the penetrator (1) has both the penetrator tip thread (9'') and the sabot thread (9').

8. Projectile (3), in particular a sub-caliber kinetic energy projectile, comprising a penetrator (1) and a sabot (2), characterized by a design of the penetrator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Cartridged ammunition (4) comprising a projectile (3) and a propellant charge, characterized by a design of the projectile (3) according to claim 8.

10. Use of the penetrator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for combating an armoured target, in particular an armoured target with reactive armour.

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