Device for combating targets

An ammunition unit, for combating targets (10) with or without using shaped charge effect, that incorporates an openable or removable and replaceable hull or outer casing (2). The explosive charge in the ammunition unit comprises a charge section (3) with shaped charge function arranged to be able to assume either of two freely selectable positions in the ammunition unit, the first of which enables the charge to exert its shaped charge function and the second of which disables the shaped charge function and enables a different effect to be triggered.

The present invention relates to a device for combating targets with or without using shaped charge effect. In cases where the above mentioned effect is not used the target is combated using pure pressure effect, for example.

Units of ammunition, e.g. in the form of rounds, shells, projectiles, etc., with or without shaped charge effect exist in extremely large numbers and in a multiplicity of designs. Shaped charge ammunition is used to engage a specific type of target in which a hole needs to be achieved to enable devastating penetration. Units of ammunition with only propelling charge effect or pressure effect are very common and are normally used to combat various types of target.

There is a major need to be able to reduce the wide assortment of natures of ammunition while still being able to fire on different types of target with the desired optimal effect. Thus there is even a desire to be able to combat the said types of targets despite the fact that they require an advanced type of ammunition to achieve at least one of the desired effects in target, namely shaped charge effect.

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a device that resolves the above mentioned problem by proposing that the ammunition in question be easy to adapt to achieve the desired optimal effect in both cases. There is thus an inherent requirement that shaped charge effect, for example, shall not be impaired but shall function equally well as in the case with more dedicated ammunition. The present invention also resolves this problem.

One of the characteristic features of the device in the present invention is that the unit of ammunition, e.g. in the form of a round, shell, projectile, etc., incorporates an openable or removable and closeable hull or outer casing, and that the charge comprises a charge section with shaped charge function. Another feature is that the said charge section is arranged to have two selectable modes in the ammunition unit of which the first mode is to enable the shaped charge function and the second mode is to disable this function. The second mode enables a function to be triggered that is divorced from the shaped charge function and that can consist of a pressure generating function and/or fragmentation effect.

In the designs in the invention concept the charge section in question is arranged to be indexible from the first mode/position to the second, or vice versa, by reversing the charge section 180° in the ammunition unit. In an initial mode for the ammunition unit the charge section can thus assume a shaped charge function and be arranged so that the second mode can be enabled after opening or removal of the hull or outer casing as stated above. Furthermore, the charge section, hereinafter called the first charge section, can interact with another charge section in the ammunition unit hereinafter called the second charge section. In additional designs of the invention concept it is proposed how the interacting faces of the first and second charge sections shall be designed. Reference is hereby made to the subsequent patent claims and the description.

The above proposal enables a number of advantages. The ammunition unit can be switched from one type of ammunition to another, such as for delivery by firing or by dropped release. The ammunition unit can be supplied with a function that is the most common, and can be switched to the other function only when an engagement situation that requires it is encountered. The technical and economic benefits can be retained since switchability between two different engagement situations and indexibility as such do not, as a whole, need to make manufacture, handling and service more expensive.

A currently proposed design for a device as claimed in the present invention is described below with reference to the appendedFIGS. 1-4in whichFIGS. 1 and 2show an example of an ammunition unit, such as a fin-stabilised or spin controlled projectile, in longitudinal section comprising first and second charge sections where the first section is indexible 180° to enable a shaped charge function in mode one as illustrated inFIG. 1, and to enable a pure pressure effect function as illustrated inFIG. 2, i.e. the shaped charge function is disabled for when the ammunition unit is used, andFIGS. 3 and 4show another design in longitudinal section of a projectile with two charge sections where the first charge section is in principle indexible 180° for the same purpose as the design illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

InFIG. 1the ammunition unit is in the form of a shell designated1. The ammunition unit comprises, in a commonly known manner, a casing2containing a charge arrangement with a first charge section3and a second charge section4. This unit is fin- or spin-stabilised by aft fins5and is equipped—in an already known manner—with propulsion and guidance devices6as well as initiation and detonation devices7. In the present design example the first charge section3consists of a shaped charge. The shaped charge liner designated3a,3bin the present case is in the form of a conical cavity, and the present invention functions in principle for other directions of the said liner3a,3b. Depending on the type of charge (explosive) and the liner3a,3ba forwards directed jet effect can be achieved when the ammunition unit is triggered, which jet effect generally coincides with the longitudinal axis8in the direction of fire of the ammunition unit. The second charge section4comprises an explosive charge corresponding to the explosive charge in the first charge section3. The said casing2shall be openable or removable by unscrewing to enable the first charge section3to be removed from its position/mode shown inFIG. 1and then to be indexed/reversed 180° to be re-installed in the position/mode shown inFIG. 2. The said openability or removability function can be designed in various ways. In the present invention it is proposed that a screw joint9be arranged between front and aft sections,2aand2brespectively, of the casing2. The screw joint can be comprised of an internal thread in one section and an external thread on the other section, or vice versa. Alternatively, the openability or removability function can be located somewhere else along the length of the casing2. Openability or removability can also be arranged in some other way, such as by means of a bayonet connector or snap-catch, etc. As illustrated inFIG. 1the ammunition unit is fired in a conventional manner and activated, also conventionally, in its trajectory adjacent to a target symbolised by10. When triggered the shaped charge function is activated in an already known manner and attacks the target using the said jet, pressure and/or fragmentation effect.

As illustrated inFIG. 1the first charge section3has a rear face3cthat is flat and extends perpendicular to the plane of the figure inFIG. 1. The second charge section4has a similar flat, front face4aextending likewise at right angles to the plane of the figure. In the mode illustrated for the charge sections3and4inFIG. 1the sections abut on each other via the faces3cand4a. In this way the effect from the explosive in the second charge section4can be easily transmitted to the explosive in the first charge section3.

InFIG. 2the said face4aof the first charge section3abuts on the outer extremities of the said liner3a,3b. The said liner3a,3bincorporates lateral surfaces3a′ and3b′ which, in principle, coincide with or comprise an extension of lateral surface3d. Because the first charge section has been indexed/reversed the shaped charge function has been disabled for when the ammunition unit1is triggered. In this case the ammunition unit operates with the pressure or fragmentation effect obtained when the explosive in the first and second charge sections is initiated. This pressure effect can be used to combat a target like type12that is different from target type10illustrated inFIG. 1. In the case illustrated inFIG. 2there is a rear conical space11between first and second charge sections3and4formed by the conical liner3a,3b. The detonation, activation and triggering functions operate in principle in the same way in the different application cases for the first and second charge sections3and4inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the version illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4the front face4ainFIGS. 1 and 2has been modified to comprise the conical face designated4a′,4a″ that interfaces with the cavity formed by the conical liner designated3a″,3b″. This eliminates the rear space11illustrated inFIG. 2. The screw joint9′ or equivalent has been re-located further forwards in relation to the design illustrated inFIG. 1. The rear face of the first charge section3′ similarly comprises a conical cavity designated3d′,3d″ which, as shown inFIG. 4, interfaces with the conical front face designated4a′,4a″ of the second charge section4′.

FIG. 3illustrates a case where the shaped charge function is disabled and the ammunition unit1combats the target by pressure effect (and/or fragmentation effect)—cf. the case illustrated inFIG. 2.FIG. 4illustrates a case when the shaped charge function is enabled, i.e. facing forwards to enable shaped charge effect when the ammunition unit is triggered. In this case the first charge section3′ is arranged with a distance designated a between the cavity formed by conical face3d′ and3d″ and the cavity formed by liner3a″,3b″. The said distance a is filled with the explosive in the first charge section. The effects achieved by the different designs inFIGS. 1 and 2contra3and4are essentially the same with the difference being the effect of rear space11shown inFIG. 2. The indexibility/reversibility of the first charge section can, in principle, be arranged in some other way. Manual indexing/reversing has been proposed in the above, but automation of this function is feasible. The above mentioned rear space11becomes front space11′ after indexing, as shown inFIG. 3.

The present invention is not limited to the design examples illustrated above, but can be subjected to modifications within the framework of the subsequent patent claims and the invention concept.