Sub-caliber Projectile with Breakable Linkage for Thermobaric Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sub-caliber arrow projectiles face significant reductions in piercing effectiveness due to active protection systems, particularly thermobaric grenades that deflect them from their trajectory, as these systems primarily target the larger stabilizing tail.
Innovation Solution
An under-caliber projectile design featuring a perforating bar surrounded by a sabot with a tail stabilizer connected by a breakable link, controlled by a chronometric module and programming interface, which initiates the rupture at a predetermined reference distance from the objective to neutralize the active protection system's blast effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the projectile uses a large stabilizing tail fin, then the projectile maintains stability during flight, but the thermobaric grenade blast deflects the projectile from its trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is divided into two separable parts: a stabilizing tail fin and a penetrating bar. The tail fin can be detached at a predetermined distance from the target, allowing the penetrating bar to continue toward the target while the tail fin is left behind. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the stabilizing function from the penetrating function at the critical moment when thermobaric defense is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The tail fin is pre-positioned on the penetrating bar and connected by a breakable link designed to rupture at a specific distance from the target. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the projectile approaches the target within the effective range of thermobaric defenses, the tail fin automatically detaches in advance, preventing the blast from deflecting the penetrating bar while maintaining flight stability up to that point.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the projectile maintains the tail fin attached, then the projectile remains stable, but the tail fin increases the projectile's vulnerability to thermobaric grenades
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile transitions from a static configuration (tail fin permanently attached) to a dynamic configuration where the tail fin can detach. The breakable link allows the projectile to adapt its structure based on distance from the target: stable with tail fin attached during approach, and stable without tail fin during penetration phase. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining stability and ensuring penetration effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the projectile uses a breakable link mechanism, then the projectile can detach the tail fin to avoid thermobaric defenses, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakable link is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component rather than a complex electronic control system. The link ruptures automatically at a predetermined distance based on its mechanical design, eliminating the need for sophisticated sensors, processors, or actuators. This approach resolves the contradiction by providing thermobaric blast resistance through a simple mechanical solution rather than a complex control system.
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a sub-caliber projectile (1) of the arrow type, comprising a penetrating barrel (3) surrounded by a sabot (2) made of lightweight material, enabling the projectile to be fired from a weapon. The barrel (3) is extended by a stabilizing fin (4). The fin (4) is connected to the barrel (3) by a breakable linkage (L), the breakage being initiated by a control means (11) integral with the projectile. The control means (11) comprises a timing module connected to a programming interface and programmed before or during firing to ensure the breakage of the linkage (L) at a reference distance from a target to be neutralized. The invention also relates to a method for neutralizing a target using such a sub-caliber projectile.