Programmable Training Ammunition with Electronic Fuze

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current training ammunition fails to provide a realistic and cost-effective solution for tank crew training while minimizing damage to shooting ranges and preventing unexploded ordnance, as combat ammunition is often used for training purposes, leading to high costs and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A programmable training ammunition with integrated electronics and a signal transmitter that simulates the effect of a hit on a target, allowing for precise feedback on shot accuracy and eliminating the need for explosives, thus avoiding duds and infrastructure damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If combat ammunition is used for training purposes, then training realism is improved, but costs increase and damage to infrastructure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining realismVSAvoidcosts and infrastructure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of combat ammunition that replicates its external appearance, handling characteristics, and firing mechanics. The training cartridge includes a projectile body, propellant charge, and ignition system identical to combat ammunition, allowing tank crews to practice with realistic equipment without using actual combat rounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The training ammunition is designed as a disposable, low-cost alternative to combat ammunition. The cartridge contains a propellant charge that produces a visible effect (smoke, flash, or tracer) upon firing, allowing multiple training shots without the need to recover or dispose of expensive combat rounds. The projectile body is designed to be consumed during firing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If combat ammunition is used for training, then training effectiveness is improved, but safety risks from unexploded ordnance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidunexploded ordnance danger
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the high-explosive filler and ignition system components that create unexploded ordnance risks from combat ammunition. The training cartridge contains only propellant charge and a visible effect generator, eliminating the dangerous high-explosive elements while maintaining the external appearance and basic firing characteristics of combat rounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful high-explosive charge into a beneficial visible effect generator. Instead of using dangerous high-explosive material that could create duds, the training ammunition uses propellant-based effects (smoke, flash, or tracer) that are safe, predictable, and provide immediate visual confirmation of proper firing without creating unexploded ordnance hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If traditional practice ammunition with explosives is used, then shot detection is improved, but risk of unexploded ordnance and infrastructure damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshot detection accuracyVSAvoidunexploded ordnance and range damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the explosive detection mechanism with a copy of the visual detection method used in combat ammunition. The training cartridge contains a propellant charge that produces smoke, flash, or tracer effects identical to those of combat rounds, allowing observers to detect shot placement and trajectory using the same visual cues as in live firing without the dangers of explosives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/explosive detection system with a chemical/visual detection system. Instead of relying on explosive impacts to indicate shot placement, the training ammunition uses propellant-based visual effects (smoke trails, flash at impact point, or tracer combustion) that provide clear detection signals without the harmful effects of explosives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3887750B1Practice ammunition and training system using the practice ammunition
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP3887750B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3887750B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to programmable practice ammunition (1). For this purpose, a projectile head (4) of a practice projectile (11) of the practice ammunition (1) has at least one electronic system (5) in the form of an electronic fuze replacement system and a signal transmitter (6). Optionally, an explosive charge (7) can be introduced into the projectile head (4). The explosive charge (7) is preferably a pyrotechnic. A light signal, an infrared signal, a radio signal, or another suitable electronic or optical signal, even a color signal, can be output and transmitted via the signal transmitter (6). Optionally, the explosive charge (7) can be triggered and deployed via the signal transmitter (6). The projectile (11) is provided with radial openings (15) for this purpose. The invention additionally relates to a training system for a realistic practice using an explosive representation (14) at the target (12) or in the target area (20).