Subcalibre Shell with Carrier Wings and Rocket Booster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artillery systems face limitations in increasing the range of fire without upgrading propellant charges, particularly for older artillery pieces, and there is a need for improved aerodynamic designs and stealth capabilities to evade radar detection.
Innovation Solution
The development of a subcalibre artillery shell with fixed or folding carrier wings and a rear-mounted rocket-booster, combined with stealth configurations such as inclined facetted surfaces, to enhance gliding flight characteristics and reduce radar detectability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the energy content of propellant charges is increased to increase range, then the range of fire is improved, but the internal barrel pressure and charge volume restrictions of older artillery pieces are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the shell (making it subcalibre with smaller diameter) rather than changing the propellant charge parameters. This allows the shell to fit within existing barrel constraints while achieving higher muzzle velocities through improved aerodynamic design and reduced drag, thereby increasing range without violating pressure restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the shell design into distinct functional components: a subcalibre body, carrier wings for aerodynamic support, and a propulsion mirror for stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to achieve the overall goal of increased range within existing barrel constraints.
2Speed
If the shell diameter is reduced to subcalibre size to increase range, then the gliding flight capability is improved, but the structural stability and aerodynamic performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces carrier wings as intermediary aerodynamic surfaces that mediate between the subcalibre shell body and the surrounding air. These wings provide the necessary aerodynamic stability and gliding capability for a subcalibre projectile, enabling it to maintain stability during flight while achieving the desired velocity and range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds aerodynamic surfaces (carrier wings) in a dimension perpendicular to the shell's longitudinal axis. This dimensional addition provides the necessary aerodynamic moment arms for stability without increasing the shell's diameter, thereby maintaining subcalibre status while improving aerodynamic performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional shell designs are used to maintain simplicity, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the stealth capability and radar evasiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric facetted surfaces on the shell body that are specifically oriented to deflect radar waves away from the source. This asymmetric geometry is designed to disrupt radar detection while remaining manufacturable, as it involves standard machining operations to create the faceted surfaces at specific angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies stealth-oriented surface treatments locally to specific areas of the shell where radar reflection is most problematic. The facetted surfaces are positioned and oriented to specifically address radar detectability without requiring complete redesign of the entire shell structure, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving stealth capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for increased range and stealth capabilities without the need for propellant charge upgrades, utilizing available barrel space for aerodynamic surfaces and enabling stable, aircraft-like flight to evade conventional radar detection.
Implementation Method 1
provides improved gliding flight characteristics to the shells, at least at the end of their trajectory
Implementation Method 2
a base flow device or a rocket-booster that is ignited during the optimal part of the trajectory
Implementation Method 3
the outside configuration of the shells (1, 8, 13), is configured with bulging lateral surfaces comprising a plurality of inclined facetted surfaces (16, 17, 18) which reflect away any incoming radar waves
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for increasing the range of shells (1, 8, 13) charged with an explosive substance and other types of shell, which function as carriers of the one or other type of active payload. The method according to the invention thus provides an opportunity for increasing the range of fire of most types of artillery piece by increasing the muzzle velocity and the gliding flight capability of shells or projectiles fired from them, but without the need to increase the energy content in the propellant charges utilized for firing the shells or the projectiles concerned. The novelty proposed in accordance with the invention instead represents a radical modification to the design of the shell (1, 8, 13) utilized in conjunction therewith. The invention also relates to a shell charged with an explosive substance or provided with some other active payload which has been given a long range.