Patent ID: 6314886
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
A projectile to be fired from a weapon barrel, comprising(a) a projectile body having a rearward portion and a longitudinal axis;(b) a plurality of stabilizing wings circumferentially distributed about said rearward portion; each stabilizing wing having a center of gravity;(c) a pin pivotally mounting each said stabilizing wing on said projectile body for pivotal motion about a pivot axis to assume a folded state and an outwardly pivoted, deployed state; in the folded state of said stabilizing wings said center of gravity of respective said stabilizing wings being at a greater radial distance from said longitudinal axis than said pivot axis; and(d) a gliding body releasably mounted on each said stabilizing wing; each said gliding body having a wing-shaped extension for contacting an inner surface of the barrel in the folded state of the stabilizing wings as the projectile travels in the barrel upon firing; in the deployed state of said stabilizing wings said wing-shaped extensions being exposed, during flight of the projectile, to an air stream causing said gliding bodies to be stripped from said stabilizing wings.