Patent ID: 8342097

Claim:
A launcher system for firing projectiles comprising: a launcher including a barrel adapted to receive a projectile, a mechanism for activating the projectile and a magazine for storing additional projectiles; and a caseless projectile including: a main body including a front end portion, a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion having a piston hole and at least one vent hole positioned radially of the piston hole; a piston, including a head and a shaft, slidably mounted within the main body for movement between a retracted position, wherein the head and shaft are located within the main body, and an extended position, wherein the shaft of the piston extends through the piston hole and extends out of the main body while the piston head is retained in the main body; and a charge provided in the main body whereby, when the mechanism activates the projectile and the charge is initiated, gases are created which force the piston to shift from the retracted position such that the shaft extends through the piston hole and engages the launcher to provide an initial thrust for the projectile within the barrel and, when the piston is in the extended position, the gases exit the main body through the at least one vent hole to provide additional thrust for the projectile.