Patent ID: 8281720

Claim:
A flechette cartridge comprising: (a) a cartridge case having: (i) a base; and (ii) a cartridge case body having an outer circumference adjacent the base, and an inner circumference opposite the outer circumference, said inner circumference defining a smooth-bored cartridge barrel, the smooth-bored barrel having a open mouth at one end thereof; and (b) a sub caliber payload cup slidably disposed within the smooth-bored cartridge barrel, the sub caliber payload cup having: (i) a payload cup body having an outer base, an outer circumference adjacent the outer base, an inner circumference opposite the outer circumference, and an inner base opposite the outer base; and (ii) a flechette retainer for retaining flechettes, disposed within the inner circumference; and (iii) a plurality of flechettes retained within the flechette retaining means; and (c) a tether in communication with the cartridge case at a first end, and with the payload cup adjacent an end opposite the first end, wherein, when the flechette cartridge is fired, the subcaliber payload is propelled from the smooth bored cartridge barrel and, at a predetermined distance from the smooth bored cartridge barrel, the tether acts upon the subcaliber payload cup to strip the payload cup from the flechettes, and allow only the flechettes to continue direct forward travel.