Tandem Nested Projectile for Dual-Target Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assault rifle ammunition is limited in its ability to effectively engage both soft and hard targets simultaneously, requiring separate rounds and increasing logistical and operational burdens, while existing cartridges like 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm have limitations in range, velocity, and penetration effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose tandem nested projectile (DPTNP) design that combines an anti-personnel projectile with a hard armor-penetrating projectile within a single 7.62 mm cartridge, optimized for specific functions, allowing for enhanced penetration and expansion capabilities without the need for multiple ammunition types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate ammunition types are used for soft targets and hard targets, then effectiveness against both target types is improved, but logistical complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate projectiles (anti-personnel and armor-penetrating) into a single tandem nested cartridge. The outer projectile contains anti-personnel warheads while the inner projectile contains armor-penetrating warheads, allowing both soft target and hard target effectiveness to be achieved from one ammunition type, thereby reducing logistical complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where one projectile is placed inside another. The inner armor-penetrating projectile is nested within the outer anti-personnel projectile, both sharing a common propellant charge and firing mechanism. This nested structure enables dual functionality in a single cartridge, resolving the contradiction between versatility and logistical complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ammunition types are carried for different targets, then target engagement capability is improved, but weight and volume of ammunition load increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging anti-personnel and armor-penetrating capabilities into a single tandem cartridge, soldiers no longer need to carry separate ammunition types for different target types. This consolidation reduces the total weight and volume of ammunition load while maintaining the ability to engage both soft and hard targets effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The tandem nested cartridge achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both anti-personnel and armor-penetrating warheads in one round. This universal ammunition design eliminates the need for multiple specialized ammunition types, thereby reducing overall ammunition weight and volume while preserving target engagement capability across different scenarios
3Strength
If larger caliber rounds are used for hard target penetration, then penetration effectiveness is improved, but rate of fire and volume efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration allows armor-penetrating warheads to be housed within a standard 7.62 mm cartridge rather than requiring larger caliber rounds. This enables hard target penetration effectiveness to be maintained while preserving the high rate of fire and volume efficiency associated with standard assault rifle ammunition
4Volume of moving object
If standard 7.62 mm cartridges are used, then volumetric efficiency is maintained, but simultaneous effectiveness against soft and hard targets is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The standard 7.62 mm cartridge is segmented into two distinct functional components: an outer anti-personnel projectile and an inner armor-penetrating projectile. This segmentation allows each projectile type to be optimized for its specific function while both are contained within the same cartridge volume, achieving simultaneous effectiveness against soft and hard targets without compromising volumetric efficiency
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
The DPTNP design significantly increases the effective rate of fire and the number of projectiles delivered per magazine, offering improved penetration and expansion capabilities against both soft and hard targets, while maintaining volumetric efficiency and reducing logistical costs.
Implementation Method 1
a propellant, housed within the cavity, capable of being detonated to increase the pressure of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
The increased pressure applies a force to the outer member and a force to the inner member in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 3
The base bleed gas reduces the drag experienced by the outer member by filling in the low pressure area behind the outer member
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-purpose projectile assembly includes an anti-personnel projectile, an armor-penetrating projectile, a propellant, a base bleed gas, and a primer. The anti-personnel projectile includes a cavity having a scored surface and is made out of a soft metal. The armor-penetrating projectile is made from a hard metal and is housed partially within the cavity of the anti-personnel projectile prior to firing from a weapon. The propellant and the primer are both housed within the cavity. The firing of the projectile assembly causes the armor-penetrating projectile to drive into the primer, thereby detonating the primer, causing the detonation of the propellant, thereby increasing the pressure of the cavity and causing the two projectiles to separate after the projectile assembly leaves the bore of the weapon. The burning of the propellant releases a base bleed gas that reduces the drag experienced by the anti-personnel projectile.