( 1 2 ) United S ta tes Pa tent

E c k s tein
US 00864062 3B2
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
F eb . 4, 2 01 4
( 1 0) Pa tent N 0. :
( 45 ) Da te o f Pa tent:
( 5 4)
( 7 6)
( 2 1 )
( 2 2 )
( 65 )
( 60)
( 5 1 )
( 5 2 )
( 5 8)
MULTIPLE PURPOS E TAN DE M N E S TE D
PROJE CTILE
Inv ento r : Do na ld B. E c k s tein, Bu r k e, VA( US )
N o tic e: S u b j ec t to a ny dis c la im er , th e ter m o f th is
p a tent is ex tended o r a dj u s ted u nder 35
U. S . C. 1 5 4( b ) b y 0 da y s .
Ap p l. N o . : 1 3/ 2 9 8, 67 6
F iled: N o v . 1 7 , 2 01 1
Pr io r Pu b lic a tio n Da ta
US 2 01 2 / 02 667 7 3 A1 Oc t. 2 5 , 2 01 2
Rela ted US . Ap p lic a tio n Da ta
Pr o v is io na l a p p lic a tio n N o . 61 / 47 8, 1 1 8, ? led o n Ap r .
2 2 , 2 01 1 .
Int. Cl.
F 42 B 1 2 / 04 ( 2 006. 01 )
F 42 B 1 2 / 06 ( 2 006. 01 )
F 42 B 1 2 / 2 4 ( 2 006. 01 )
US . Cl.
US PC . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 5 06; 1 02 / 439 ; 1 02 / 438; 1 02 / 5 1 7 ;
1 02 / 5 1 8
F ield o f Cla s s i? c a tio n S ea r c h
US PC . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 5 06, 5 1 7 , 5 1 8, 438, 439 , 37 7 , 37 8,
1 02 / 7 03, 5 01
S ee a p p lic a tio n ? le f o r c o m p lete s ea r c h h is to r y .
1 0
( 5 6) Ref er enc es Cited
U. S . PATE N T DOCUME N TS
3, 45 0, 05 0 A * 6/ 1 9 69 Ro b ins o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 5 06
3, 680, 485 A * 8/ 1 9 7 2 Za idet a 1 . 1 02 / 5 06
3, 802 , 345 A * 4/ 1 9 7 4 La Co s ta . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 / 7 8
3, 862 , 600 A * 1 / 1 9 7 5 To c c o 1 02 / 438
4, 7 7 7 , 882 A * 1 0/ 1 9 88 Diev a l . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 489
4, 9 2 2 , 82 6 A * 5 / 1 9 9 0 Bu s c h et a 1 . 1 02 / 489
5 , 7 9 6, 031 A * 8/ 1 9 9 8 S igler . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 5 2 0
7 , 806, 05 3 B1 * 1 0/ 2 01 0 K ing eta l. 1 02 / 5 1 7
8, 1 9 1 , 47 8 B2 * 6/ 2 01 2 H er b a ge et a 1 . 1 02 / 35 2
8, 2 5 0, 9 87 B1 * 8/ 2 01 2 Mo r ley et a 1 . . . 1 02 / 5 06
2 01 2 / 02 341 9 8 A1 * 9 / 2 01 2 Ca r m el . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02 / 438
* c ited b y ex a m iner
Pr im a r y E x a m iner * Ja m es Ber gin
( 7 4) Atto r ney , Agent, o r F ir m * Ro b er t M. Do Wney , PA.
( 5 7 ) ABS TRACT
Am u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly inc lu des a n a nti- p er
s o nnel p r o j ec tile, a n a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile, a p r o p el
la nt, a b a s e b leed ga s , a nd a p r im er . Th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o
j ec tile inc lu des a c a v ity h a v ing a s c o r ed s u r f a c e a nd is m a de
o u t o f a s o f t m eta l. Th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile is m a de
f r o m a h a r d m eta l a nd is h o u s ed p a r tia lly With in th e c a v ity o f
th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile p r io r to ? r ing f r o m a Wea p o n.
Th e p r o p ella nt a nd th e p r im er a r e b o th h o u s ed With in th e
c a v ity . Th e ? r ing o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a u s es th e a r m o r
p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile to dr iv e into th e p r im er , th er eb y deto
na ting th e p r im er , c a u s ing th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt,
th er eb y inc r ea s ing th e p r es s u r e o f th e c a v ity a nd c a u s ing th e
tWo p r o j ec tiles to s ep a r a te a f ter th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly lea v es
th e b o r e o f th e Wea p o n. Th e b u r ning o f th e p r o p ella nt r elea s es
a b a s e b leed ga s th a t r edu c es th e dr a g ex p er ienc ed b y th e
a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile.
1 8 Cla im s , 4 Dr a wing S h eets
US . Pa tent F eb . 4, 2 01 4 S h eet 1 o f 4 US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
F IG . 1
, . v 2 2
/ 2 4
4/
/ / /
US . Pa tent F eb . 4, 2 01 4 S h eet 2 o f 4 US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
US . Pa tent F eb . 4, 2 01 4 S h eet 3 o f 4 US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
N
US . Pa tent F eb . 4, 2 01 4 S h eet 4 o f 4 US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
F IG . 6 2 2 0
I
I. ll '
llll lllllnlIIIIII) _ IIIIIAl !
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
1
MULTIPLE PURPOS E TAN DE M N E S TE D
PROJE CTILE
Th is no n- p r o v is io na l p a tent a p p lic a tio n is b a s ed o n p r o v i
s io na l p a tent a p p lic a tio n S er . N o . 61 / 47 8, 1 1 8 ? led o nAp r . 2 2 ,
2 01 1 .
BACK G ROUN D
H is to r y o f Mo der n As s a u lt Ri? e Dev elo p m ent
Wh en WWII s ta r ted, th e s ta nda r d U. S . Ar m y inf a ntr y r i? e
Wa s th e M1 G a r r a nd, Wh ic h u s ed th e 30- 06 c a r tr idge. ( Th e
30- 06 c a r tr idge no ta tio n b r ea k s into th e 30 b eing th e c a lib er
a nd 1 9 06 th e y ea r it Wa s a do p ted; u s ing th e m o dem a m m u
nitio n no ta tio n s y s tem th e p r o j ec tile dia m eter is 7 . 62 m m a nd
th e c a r tr idge length is 63 m m , o r 7 . 62 m m ><63 m m ) . Th is Wa s
th e Wo r lds ? r s t s em i- a u to m a tic inf a ntr y Wea p o n to enter
m a s s p r o du c tio n a nd b e is s u ed to f r o nt line tr o o p s . Wh ile th is
is a v er y p o Wer f u l c a r tr idge ef f ec tiv e a t r a nges o f u p to 1 , 000
m eter s , th e s iZe o f th is c a r tr idge r es tr ic ted th e nu m b er o f
r o u nds lo a ded to o nly eigh t in th e M1 s en b lo c a m m u nitio n
c lip s y s tem . ( Th e en b lo c c lip Wa s s ta te o f th e a r t in th e 1 9 30s
a nd Wa s u s ed to lo a d th e M1 s inter na l m a ga Zine, b u t b ec a m e
o b s o lete With th e m o der n ex ter na l m a ga Zine s y s tem a do p ted
b y la ter a s s a u lt r i? es , Wh ic h a llo W th e s to r a ge o f 2 0- 30 r o u nds
in m a ga Zines th a t c o u ld b e ea s ily to p p ed o f f a nd r ep la c ed) .
Du r ing WWII, th e s ta nda r d G er m a n Ar m y b o lt a c tio n
Mo u s er 9 8 inf a ntr y r i? e u s ed a 7 . 9 2 m m ><5 7 m m r o u nd ( a ls o
k no Wn a s th e 8 m m ><5 7 m m in E u r o p e o r 8 m m Ma u s er ) With
q u a lities a nd p er f o r m a nc e s im ila r to th a t o f th e Us . 30- 06
c a r tr idge. H o wev er , G er m a n a na ly s is o f h o W th eir inf a ntr y
Wea p o ns Wer e a c tu a lly u s ed in c o m b a t indic a ted th a t m o s t
enga gem ents Wer e a t r a nges o f les s th a n 400 m eter s a nd o f ten
r eq u ir ed h igh r a tes o f ? r e, s o h a v ing a la r ge, p o Wer f u l c a r
tr idge th a t Wa s ef f ec tiv e to 800- 1 , 000 m eter s Wa s a Wa s te o f
s c a r c e m a ter ia ls ( c a r tr idge b r a s s a nd gu np o Wder ) a nd lo gis tic
r es o u r c es . Th ey des igned a s m a ller , ligh ter , s em i a nd a u to
m a tic a s s a u lt Wea p o n des igna ted S tG - 44 ( S tu r m geWeh r o r o r
s to r m r i? e 44) Wh ic h u s ed a s h o r tened v er s io n o f th e 7 . 9 2 m m
r o u nd a lr ea dy in p r o du c tio n, des igna ted 7 . 9 2 m m ><33 m m
K u r tZ ( G er m a n f o r s h o r t) , s to r ed in a deta c h a b le 30 r o u nd
m a ga Zine.
Af ter WWII, Ru s s ia n des igner Mik h a il K a la s h nik o v c o n
tinu ed to b u ild o n th e S tG - 44 c o nc ep t Wh en h e des igned th e
AK - 47 ( a u to m a tic K a la s h nik o v 1 9 47 ) . Ru s s ia u s ed ( a nd c o n
tinu es to u s e to da y ) a 7 . 62 m m ><5 4 m m r o u nd f o r th eir
m a c h ine gu ns a nd s nip er r i? es . Th e AK - 47 u s es a s h o r tened
v er s io n o f th e 7 . 62 m m ><5 4 m m r o u nd des igna ted 7 . 62
m m ><39 m m , Wh ic h a llo Ws 30 r o u nds to b e c a r r ied in th e
s ta nda r d, c u r v ed AK - 47 m a ga Zine. Lik e th e G er m a n S tG - 44
des ign, th e 7 . 62 m m ><39 m m r o u nd is des igned to b e ef f ec tiv e
a t s h o r ter r a nges , With th e r edu c ed s iZe a nd Weigh t f a c ilita ting
th e s u p p ly o f th e la r ge nu m b er o f c a r tr idges needed f o r h igh
v o lu m e ? r e.
In c o ntr a s t, a f ter WWII th e Us . Ar m y a do p ted th e m o r e
tr a ditio na l M- 1 4, Wh ic h u s ed a m o dem 2 0 r o u nd ex ter na l
2 0
2 5
30
35
40
45
5 0
2
m a ga Zine to f a c ilita te r a p id r elo a ding, a nd th e s h o r ter 7 . 62
m m ><5 1 m m r o u nd, Wh ic h b ec a m e th e s ta nda r d N ATO a s s a u lt
r i? e, s nip er r i? e, a nd m a c h ine gu n r o u nd. Th is Wea p o n Wa s
em p lo y ed in th e K o r ea n c o n? ic t, a nd th e ea r ly y ea r s o f V1 et
na m . Bu t th e M- 1 4 Wa s a la r ger , h ea v y Wea p o n With o nly 2 0
r o u nds a v a ila b le in th e s ta nda r d ex ter na l m a ga Zine, s o th e
Us . Ar m y s ta r ted to c o ns ider o th er a s s a u lt Wea p o n des igns
th a t Wer e s m a ller , ligh ter , h a d les s r ec o il, a nd c a r r ied m o r e
r o u nds o f a m m u nitio n.
One Wea p o n th a t s to o d o u t in th e ea r ly 1 9 60s Wa s E u gene
S to ner s AR- 1 5 , Wh ic h Wa s o r igina lly des igned f o r th e Us .
Air F o r c e. It em p lo y ed a 5 . 5 6 m m ><45 m m c a r tr idge, Wh ic h
a llo Wed 30 r o u nds to b e c a r r ied in th e s ta nda r d ex ter na l m a ga
Zine. Th is Wea p o n Wa s m u c h ligh ter th a n th e M- 1 4 With
r edu c ed r ec o il, a nd th e h igh v elo c ity 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nd h a d
s im ila r ef f ec tiv enes s a t s h o r ter r a nges ( les s th a n 400 m ) .
Ano th er des ign, th e M- 1 6, dev elo p ed a b a d r ep u ta tio n in th e
1 9 60s Wh en th e Ar m y dec ided to s u b s titu te o ne ty p e o f gu n
p o Wder f o r a no th er , Wh ic h c a u s ed ex c es s iv e f o u ling a nd r es i
du e in th e Wea p o n a nd r es u lta nt m a lf u nc tio ns . Ano th er Ar m y
m a na gem ent a nd tr a ining m is c u e Wa s p r o m o tio n o f th e b elief
th a t M- 1 6s did no t r eq u ir e r egu la r c lea ning, s o c lea ning k its
a nd ins tr u c tio n Wer e no t s u p p lied to f r o nt line tr o o p s . Onc e
th es e m a na gem ent a nd tr a ining de? c ienc ies Wer e r ec ti? ed,
th e M- 1 6 p er f o r m ed a s des igned, a nd r ega ined its r ep u ta tio n
a s a n a c c u r a te, ea s y to u s e, a nd ef f ec tiv e a s s a u lt r i? e a t les s
th a n 400 m eter s .
Th e neWes t v er s io n o f th e M- 1 6 is th e M- 4. It is a c a r b ine
With a s h o r ter b a r r el a nd c o lla p s ib le s to c k , a llo Wing ea s ier
h a ndling in u r b a n s itu a tio ns . Th e o r igina l tr ia ngu la r b a r r el
h ea t s h ield h a s b een r ep la c ed With eith er a r o u nd c o v er , o r
m o r e c o m m o nly , m eta l r a ils th a t a llo W th e ea s y ins ta lla tio n o f
a c c es s o r ies lik e b ip o ds , gr ena de la u nc h er s , etc . N eW s igh ts ,
lik e th e Tr ij ic o n Adv a nc ed Co m b a t Op tic a l G r o u p ( ACOG )
a llo W f a s t, p r ec is e a im ing ev en in lo W ligh t c o nditio ns . H o W
ev er , th e s h o r ter 1 4. 5 in b a r r el a ls o r edu c ed m u ZZle v elo c ities
a nd p o tentia l a m m u nitio n ef f ec tiv enes s .
Cu r r ent As s a u lt Ri? e Am m u nitio n Ca lib er , a Co m p r o m is e:
Th e U8. Ar m y , a nd th en N ATO, c o nv er ted th eir a s s a u lt
r i? es f r o m 7 . 62 m m ><5 1 m m to 5 . 5 6 m m ><45 m m a m m u nitio n
b ec a u s e th ey c o u ld do u b le th e nu m b er o f r o u nds s ent do Wn
r a nge f o r r o u gh ly th e s a m e giv en v o lu m e, Weigh t, a nd c o s t.
Th e s m a ller s iZe a nd m a s s o f th e 5 . 5 6 m m p r o j ec tile ( 62
gr a ins f o r th e N ATO s ta nda r d M85 5 / S 81 09 r o u nd) is les s
th a n h a lf th a t o f th e s ta nda r d 7 . 62 m m N ATO r o u nd ( 1 47
gr a ins f o r th e M80 b a ll, 1 5 1 gr a ins f o r th e M61 a r m o r p ier c
ing) , b u t in th eo r y th e h igh er v elo c ity m a inta ins th e des ir ed
ener gy lev el a t c o m b a t r a nges o f les s th a n 400 m . H o Wev er ,
th e s h o r ter b a r r el o f th e M4 lo Wer s th e b u llet v elo c ity a nd
p o tentia l y a Wing, Wh ic h is a m a j o r f a c to r in th is r o u nds p o ten
tia l ef f ec tiv enes s . Th er e h a v e a ls o b een r ep o r ts th a t M85 5
ef f ec tiv enes s is r edu c ed Wh en im p a c ting th e th in, lo W b o dy
m a s s c o m b a ta nts f o u nd in Af r ic a a nd Af gh a nis ta n.
H o Wev er , th e f u tu r e dev elo p m ent p o tentia l o f 5 . 5 6 m m ><45
a m m u nitio n is lim ited b ec a u s e m a ter ia ls s c ienc e a nd des ign
c a nno t o v er c o m e s im p le p h y s ic s , a s th e f o llo Wing Wik ip edia
c h a r t illu s tr a tes :
Co m p a r is o n o f 5 . 5 6 Mm Ver s u s 7 . 62 Mm N ATO:
Ca r tr idge Ca r tr idge
Ca r tr idge s iz e Weigh t Bu llet Weigh t Velo c ity E ner gy
5 . 5 6 m m 5 . 5 6 x 45 m m 1 2 . 31 g ( 1 9 0 gr ) - 3. 5 8( 5 5 gr . ) - 4. 02 g 9 05 . 85 - 9 45 5 r n/ s 1 , 07 2 - 1 , 7 9 7 J
N ATO M85 5 Ba ll ( 62 gr . ) ( 2 9 7 0- 31 00 f t/ s ) ( 62 gr . )
7 . 62 m m 7 . 62 x 5 1 m m 2 5 . 4 g ( 39 2 gr ) - 9 . 33 g ( 1 47 838 r n/ s ( 2 7 49 ? / s ) 3, 2 7 5 I
N ATO M80 Ba ll gr a ins )
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
3
Pr o p o s ed 6. 8 m m Rem ingto n S p ec ia l Pu r p o s e Ca r tr idge
( S PC) Ro u nd:
Th e a dv a nta ges o f th e M85 5 / S S 1 09 5 . 5 6 m m ><45 m m
r o u nd o v er th e M80 7 . 62 m m ><5 1 m m r o u nd ( twic e a s m a ny
r o u nds p er a giv en v o lu m e a nd Weigh t, s im ila r ef f ec tiv enes s
in r a nges les s th a n 400 m Wh en ? r ed f r o m lo ng b a r r eled
Wea p o ns ) a r e Well k no wn, a s a r e th e p o tentia l 5 . 5 6 m m dev el
o p m ent lim ita tio ns ( tr end to Wa r d s h o r t b a r r eled c a r b ines
Wh ic h lo Wer s m u z z le v elo c ities , lo Wer b o dy m a s s c o m b a ta nts
in Af r ic a a nd Af gh a nis ta n dec r ea s es Wo u nding ef f ec tiv enes s ,
a nd lo nger enga gem ent r a nges ) .
One ef f ec tiv enes s s o lu tio n ga ining in p o p u la r ity is a neW
c a r tr idge, th e 6. 8 m m ><43 m m Rem ingto n S PC. Th e 6. 8
m m ><43 m m r o u nd c a n ? t in s ta nda r d m a ga z ine Wells o f M- 1 6
ty p e Wea p o ns in Wides p r ea d s er v ic e. Co nv er ting ex is ting
5 . 5 6 m m Wea p o ns to th e 6. 8 m m S PC o nly r eq u ir es th e
r ep la c em ent o f th e b a r r el, b o lt, a nd m a ga z ines o f 5 . 5 6 m m
c h a m b er ed Wea p o ns . Ac c o r ding to Wik ip edia , th is r o u nd
deliv er s 44 p er c ent m o r e ener gy th a n th e 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nd in
th e k ey 1 00- 300 In r a nge. It a ls o m a inta ins a b a llis tic p er f o r
m a nc e s im ila r to th e N ATO 7 . 62 m m r o u nd a nd s u p er io r to
th e 5 . 5 6 m m a nd Ru s s ia n 7 . 62 m m ><39 m m r o u nds o u t to 400
m :
Mo der n As s a u lt Ri? e Des ign E x a m p les :
Du e to th e c o ntinu ing dis c u s s io ns o f a s s a u lt r i? e c a r tr idge
tr a deo f f s , s ev er a l m a nu f a c tu r es h a v e s ta r ted m a nu f a c tu r ing
th eir la tes t des igns in b o th 5 . 5 6 m m a nd 7 . 62 m m , With tr ia ls
o f 6. 8 m m S PC Wea p o ns c o ntinu ing. H ec k er &K o c h a r e
o f f er ing tWo p r o du c tio n v er s io ns o f th eir la tes t des ign, th e H K
41 6 ( 5 . 5 6 m m ) , th e dev elo p m enta l H K 41 6 6. 8 m m S PC ( 6. 8
m m ) , a nd H K 41 7 . Th e 5 . 5 6 m m a nd 6. 8 m m S PC m o dels c a n
u s e th e s a m e r ec eiv er a nd m a ga z ine, Wh ile th e H K 41 7 m u s t
u s e a dif f er ent r ec eiv er a nd m a ga z ine.
As s a u lt Ri? e Am m u nitio n Velo c ity a nd E ner gy Tr a deo f f s :
In a dditio n to th e v o lu m e, Weigh t, a nd nu m b er o f a v a ila b le
r o u nd tr a deo f f s m entio ned ea r lier in th e 5 . 5 6 m m a nd N ATO
7 . 62 m m c o m p a r is o ns , th er e a r e a ls o v elo c ity , ener gy , a nd
b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y im p lic a tio ns to c h o o s ing o ne r o u nd v ic e
a no th er . As s h o Wn in th e b elo W c h a r t, p r o b a b ly th e b igges t
dis a dv a nta ge to th e AK - 47 7 . 62 m m ><39 m m c a r tr idge is th e
v elo c ity a nd b u llet dr o p a t th e 400 y a r d/ m eter dis ta nc e a s
c o m p a r ed to th e Wes ter n 5 . 5 6 m m , 6. 8 m m S PC, a nd 7 . 62 m m
N ATO r o u nds . Th is is th e m a j o r r ea s o n th e Ru s s ia n 7 . 62
m m ><39 m m r o u nd Wa s nev er a do p ted b y Wes ter n m ilita r ies .
1 5
2 0
2 5
30
35
40
4
ing 5 . 5 6 m m Wea p o ns is a ls o no t a tr iv ia l ex p ens e, no r is
b u y ing neW Wea p o ns to r ep la c e m illio ns o f ex is ting a s s a u lt
r i? es . Wh ile dis c u s s io ns o n h o W to im p r o v e m o der n a s s a u lt
r i? e des ign h a s b een f o c u s ed o n c a r tr idge ty p es , th er e a r e
o th er p o tentia l a p p r o a c h es th a t c a n lev er a ge ex is ting inv es t
m ents b y im p r o v ing 7 . 62 m m ><5 1 m m a m m u nitio n des ign.
Th e Du p lex Lo a d:
Ano th er a p p r o a c h to m a x im iz ing th e a s s a u lt r i? e a m m u
nitio n ef f ec tiv enes s is to h a v e tWo p r o j ec tiles ? r ed f r o m th e
s a m e c a r tr idge, Wh ic h h a s b een ter m ed a du p lex lo a d o r
c a r tr idge. Ac c o r ding to th e G u n Zo ne ( h ttp : / / WWW. th egu n
z o ne. c o m / s a lv o . h tm l) , r es ea r c h o n du p lex o r s a lv o lo a ds go
b a c k a c o u p le o f dec a des :
5 . 5 6><45 m m / 5 . 5 6 N ATO:
In N o v em b er o f 1 9 62 , F r a nk f o r d Ar s ena l lo a ded a s m a ll
q u a ntity o f 0. 2 2 3 Du p lex c a r tr idges . Th is c o ns is ted o f a
f o r Wa r d b u llet o f 33 gr a ins f o llo Wed b y a s ec o nd 34 gr a in
p r o j ec tile. Th e v elo c ity is q u o ted a s 2 , 7 60 f p s . Du r ing
th e la te 60s , F r a nk f o r d Ar s ena l ex p er im ented With th e
Lo W N o is e Du p lex Ca r tr idge ( LN DC) . Th e ea r lies t c a r
tr idges Wer e lo a ded With a p a ir o f 1 1 0 gr a in tu ngs ten
c o r e s lu gs . Th e initia l p r o j ec tiles u s e a b lu nt r o u nd no s e
p r o ? le, b u t la ter ef f o r ts c o ns is t o f a s em i- s p itz er s h a p e.
Du r ing th e la te 1 9 80s , Olin p r o du c ed th r ee dif f er ent ty p es
o f du p lex 5 . 5 6><45 m m a m m o f o r Co lts entr y in th e
Adv a nc ed Co m b a t Ri? e ( ACR) tr ia ls . Th e o r igina l v er
s io n u s ed a s p ec ia l lo ng- nec k c a s e Wh ic h h eld a s a b o ted
p a ir o f tu ngs ten s u b - p r o j ec tiles . An inter im v er s io n
s Witc h ed b a c k to th e s ta nda r d length c a s e ? r ing a s a b o
ted p a ir o f 2 7 gr a in 0. 1 5 8" tu ngs ten s u b - p r o j ec tiles . Th e
? na l v er s io n u s ed th e s ta nda r d c a s e With a p a ir o f 0. 2 2 4"
p r o j ec tiles Weigh ing 35 gr a ins ( f r o nt) a nd 33 gr a ins
( r ea r ) , giv ing a v elo c ity o f ~ 2 , 9 00 f p s . Th e Bo der m a ns
p o r ts . c o m Web s ite c la im s to h a v e s o m e o f th e ACR tes t
a m m o a v a ila b le. Rep o r tedly , du r ing Op er a tio n Des er t
S h ield, th e US MC a p p r o a c h ed Olin a b o u t m a k ing a
p r o du c tio n r u n o f th e f u ll- b o r e 5 . 5 6 m m du p lex a m m o .
Olin dec lined.
Ac c o r ding to th e G u n Zo ne, s im ila r initia tiv es h a v e a ls o
b een ta k en f o r 7 . 62 m m ><5 1 m m c a r tr idges :
7 . 62 m m N ATO:
Pr o j ec t S ALVOiAn ea r ly du p lex 7 . 62 ><5 1 m m c a r
tr idge u s ed a p a ir o f 9 6 gr a in p r o j ec tiles ( 2 , 5 60 f p s ) in a
lo ng nec k ed c a s e. H o Wev er , th e la ter T31 4E 3 du p lex
Mu z z le 2 00 y a r ds 2 00 y a r ds 400 y a r ds 400 y a r ds
Ca r tr idge v elo c ity dr o p v elo c ity dr o p v elo c ity
. 2 2 3 5 5 gr M1 9 3 3, 07 3 ? / s ( 9 37 2 . 2 inc h es 2 , 35 3 f t/ s ( 7 1 7 2 7 . 8 inc h es 1 , 7 43 f t/ s ( 5 31
r n/ s ) r n/ s ) r n/ s )
. 2 2 3 7 7 gr OTM 2 , 67 9 ? / s ( 81 7 3. 3 inc h es 2 , 2 1 6 f t/ s ( 67 5 32 . 7 inc h es 1 , 81 0 f t/ s ( 5 5 0
r n/ s ) r n/ s ) r n/ s )
6. 8 S PC 1 1 5 gr 2 , 65 0 ? / s ( 81 0 3. 5 inc h es 2 , 1 43 f t/ s ( 65 3 35 . 4 inc h es 1 , 67 7 f t/ s ( 5 1 1
6. 8 S PC1 1 0 gr V- 2 , 65 0 ? / s ( 81 0 3. 3 inc h es 2 , 2 08 f t/ s ( 67 3 31 . 1 inc h es 1 , 81 1 f t/ s ( 5 5 2
7 . 62 x 39 m m 2 , 300 ? / s ( 7 00 3. 3 inc h es 1 , 7 87 ? / s ( 5 45 5 3. 8 inc h es 1 , 32 4 ? / s ( 404
r n/ s ) r n/ s ) r n/ s )
. 308 1 68 gr S MK 2 , 600 ? / s ( 7 9 0 3. 4 inc h es 2 , 2 35 f t/ s ( 681 32 . 3 inc h es 1 , 89 1 f t/ s ( 5 7 6
r n/ s ) r n/ s ) r n/ s )
Wh ile th e 6. 8 m m S PC h a s m a ny a dv a nta ges o v er th e lo a d u s ed a s ta nda r d c a s e. Th is Wa s ev entu a lly ty p e
c u r r ent 5 5 6 nu n/ M85 5 c a r tr idge, it is c u r r ently a no n- s ta n- c la s s i? ed a s th e M1 9 8 Du p lex Ba ll, a nd is c r edited With
da r d dev elo p m enta l r o u nd Wh ic h h a s no t b een a p p r o v ed f o r two ~ 84 gr a m S lu gs a t 2 , 7 5 0 f p s
N ATO s er v ic e, Wh ic h h a s s ta nda r diz ed o n th e 5 . 5 6 m m ><45 65 Th e N ATO 7 _ 62 m m M1 9 8 Du p lex Ba ll r o u nd with two
m m a nd 7 . 62 m m ><5 1 m m r o u nds f o r lo gis tic s u p p o r t r ea s o ns .
Rep la c ing th e ex is ting b a r r els , b o lts , a nd m a ga z ines o f ex is t
s im ila r 84 gr a in b u llets f a iled to ga in a c c ep ta nc e, ev idently
du e to p o o r a c c u r a c y . Th e tWo b u llets / p r o j ec tiles h a d s im ila r
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
5
Weigh ts a nd s h a p es , b u t ev idently th e dis p er s io n a s th e r a nge
inc r ea s ed Wa s deem ed u ns a tis f a c to r y . At s h o r t r a nge, dis p er
s io n inc r ea s es h it p r o b a b ility , b u t a t lo ng r a nge ex c es s iv e
dis p er s io n lo Wer s it. Idea lly , if dis p er s io n c o u ld b e c o ntr o lled
s o th a t b o th p r o j ec tiles dis p er s ed o nly 1 0- 2 0 m m p er h u ndr ed
m eter s o f ? igh t, th en a 7 . 62 m m du p lex c a r tr idge With p r o
j ec tiles eq u a l to o r gr ea ter th a n th e 62 gr a in M85 5 c o u ld o f f er
th e b es t o f b o th c a lib er s igr ea ter p enetr a tio n, ef f ec tiv enes s ,
a nd r a nge th a n 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nds lik e th e M85 5 , b u t With s a m e
v o lu m etr ic e? ic ienc y ( e. g. , nu m b er o f p r o j ec tiles do Wnr a nge
p er a giv en Weigh t a nd v o lu m e) .
Bu llet Des ign Co m p r o m is e: S o f t v s . H a r d Ta r get Penetr a
tio n
One o f th e m a j o r c h a llenges o f m o der n a s s a u lt r i? e a nd
m a c h ine gu n b u llet des ign is th e need to b e ef f ec tiv e a ga ins t
b o th s o f t a nd h a r d ta r gets is im u lta neo u s ly . Tr a ditio na l s o f t
ta r get b u llet des ign em p h a s iZes ex p a ns io n a f ter ta r get im p a c t.
F o r ex a m p le, m o s t m o der n r i? e r o u nds f o r s h o o ting a nim a ls
ty p ic a lly h a v e a s o f t lea d c o r e With a c o p p er j a c k et. ( Lea d is a
s o f t m eta l th a t Will f o u l o r lea v e dep o s its in gu n b a r r el r i? ing
gr o v es u s ed to im p a r t s p in to a p r o j ec tile f o r inc r ea s ed a c c u
r a c y ith e c o p p er j a c k et m inim iZes th es e dep o s its ) . Up o n
im p a c ting a nim a l tis s u e, th e s o f t lea d c o r e ex p a nds , s o th a t th e
s iZe o f th e p r o j ec tile ty p ic a lly inc r ea s es in dia m eter to tWic e
th a t ( o r m o r e) o f th e o r igina l c a lib er . Th is des ign giv es th e
ex p a nded b u llet a m u s h r o o m a p p ea r a nc e, a nd inc r ea s es th e
Wo u nd c h a nnel s iZe a nd ener gy tr a ns f er to th e ta r get. S o m e
m o der n b u llet des igns ( lik e th e M85 5 ) inc r ea s e th e s iZe o f th e
Wo u nd c h a nnel b y y a Wing a f ter im p a c t. H o Wev er , in th e c a s e
o f th e M85 5 , th is c h a r a c ter is tic is h igh ly dep endent u p o n
v elo c ity . Onc e v elo c ity f a lls b elo W a c er ta in lev el, du e to
u s ing a s h o r t- b a r r eled c a r b ine, o r v elo c ity b leed ( du e to a ir
r es is ta nc e) a t ex tended r a nges ( a s no ted in p r ev io u s c ita tio ns ) .
S o m e m o der n b u llet des igns ( lik e th e M85 5 ) a r e a ls o delib
er a tely des igned s o th a t c a nnelu r e ( a gr o o v e a r o u nd th e c y l
inder o f a b u llet) Will inc r ea s e th e tendenc y o f th e p r o j ec tile to
f r a gm ent a s it y a Ws , Wh ic h is a no th er Wa y o f inc r ea s ing th e
Wo u nd c h a nnel, a nd ener gy tr a ns f er . H o Wev er , if th e lo Wer
v elo c ity ( M85 5 ) p r o j ec tile do es no t y a W, th en c a nnelu r e
des ign a nd p la c em ent Will no t inc r ea s e f r a gm enta tio n.
Penetr a ting a nd def ea ting h a r d ta r gets r eq u ir es a dia m etr i
c a lly o p p o s ite p r o j ec tile des ign p h ilo s o p h y . Pr o j ec tile ex p a n
s io n is to b e a v o ided a t a ll c o s ts , b ec a u s e it Will lim it p enetr a
tio n. Th is is do ne b y u s ing h a r d m eta ls ( s teel, tu ngs ten,
dep leted u r a niu m , etc . ) f o r th e p enetr a to r . S m a ll p r o j ec tile
dia m eter s a r e b etter th a n la r ger o nes b ec a u s e th e r edu c ed
f r o nta l a r ea Will c o nc entr a te a ll o f th e p r o j ec tile ener gy ( p r o
j ec tile m a s s tim es v elo c ity ) o n a s m a ller a r ea , inc r ea s ing
p enetr a tio n. Th is des ign a p p r o a c h is ta k en to th e lo gic a l
ex tr em e f o r H y p er Velo c ity Ar m o r Pier c ing F in S ta b iliz ed
Dis c a r ding S a b o t ( H VAPF S DS ) ta nk r o u nds . Th es e p r o j ec
tiles lo o k lik e da r ts , With v er y h igh length to dia m eter r a tio s .
Th e no r m a l o r p r ef er r ed Wa y to a ddr es s b o th o f th es e
r eq u ir em ents is to dev elo p a s ep a r a te p r o j ec tile o r c a r tr idge
f o r ea c h r eq u ir em ent. Unf o r tu na tely , th is m ea ns c a r r y ing tWo
dif f er ent ty p e r o u nds in th e ? eld, a nd c h a nging m a ga Zines
p r io r to enga ging th e dif f er ent ta r gets . And du e to m o der n
b o dy a r m o r ( K ev la r v es ts ? tted With c er a m ic p la te lik e th e
S m a ll Ar m s Pr o tec tiv e Ins er ts ) , Wh ic h c a n s to p s o m e ty p es o f
5 . 5 6 m m a nd 7 . 62 m m a m m u nitio n, y o u m igh t a c tu a lly need
to u s e b o th o f th e s o f t a nd h a r d ta r get def ea t o p tio ns a t th e
s a m e tim e to def ea t th e enem y c o m b a ta nt.
In ligh t o f th e s h o r tc o m ings a nd lim ita tio ns o f th e c u r r ent
5 . 5 6 m m , 6. 8 m m , a nd 7 . 62 m m c a r tr idges , th er e is a des p er
a te need f o r a m o r e ef f ec tiv e f o r m o f a m m u nitio n th a t c a n
c o m b ine a nti- p er s o nnel a nd a nti- a r m o r ef f ec ts into a s ingle
2 0
2 5
30
35
40
45
5 0
5 5
60
65
6
r o u nd With o u t th e need to s Witc h b etWeen tWo ty p es o f a m m u
nitio n o r to s lo W do Wn th e r a te o f ? r ing.
S UMMARY
Th e ter m s MPTN P a nd DPTN P a s u s ed h er ein r ef er to
s o m e em b o dim ents o f th e c la im s . MPTN P s ta nds f o r Mu l
tip le- Pu r p o s e Ta ndem N es ted Pr o j ec tile a nd DPTN P
s ta nds f o r Du a l- Pu r p o s e Ta ndem N es ted Pr o j ec tile. Bo th o f
th es e ter m s a r e inter c h a ngea b le With o ne a no th er a nd no
lim ita tio ns s h o u ld b e c o ns tr u ed Wh en eith er o f th e ter m s is
u s ed ins tea d o f th e o th er . Pa r tic u la r ly , th e u s e o f th e ter m s
DPTN P o r Du a l- Pu r p o s e Ta ndem N es ted Pr o j ec tile m a y
b e u s ed to des c r ib e a MPTN P o r Mu ltip le- Pu r p o s e Ta n
dem N es ted Pr o j ec tile a nd th er ef o r e th e u s e o f th e ter m s
DPTN P o r Du a l- Pu r p o s e Ta ndem N es ted Pr o j ec tile
s h o u ld no t b e ta k en to m ea n th a t o nly tWo p u r p o s es m a y b e
f u l? lled b y th e p r o j ec tile, ins tea d th a t m u ltip le a nd m a ny
p u r p o s es m a y b e f u l? lled b y th e p r o j ec tile.
S o m e em b o dim ents o f th e c la im s Will m eet th e needs
des c r ib ed a t th e end o f th e b a c k gr o u nd s ec tio n a nd m a y
inc lu de a m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a p a b le o f
b eing p r o j ec ted c o m p r is ing a n o u ter m em b er a nd a n inner
m em b er . Th e o u ter m em b er de? nes a ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd h a s a t
lea s t o ne c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n, a nd th e inner m em b er
de? nes a s ec o nd p r o j ec tile. Th e inner m em b er is lo c a ted
a dj a c ent to th e c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n o f th e o u ter m em b er
p r io r to th e p r o j ec tio n o f eith er p r o j ec tile. Th e p r o j ec ting o f
eith er o f th e o u ter m em b er o r th e inner m em b er c a u s es th e
p r o j ec ting o f th e o th er o f th e o u ter m em b er o r th e inner
m em b er .
S o m e Adv a nta ges o f S o m e E m b o dim ents
S o m e o f th e a dv a nta ges th a t m a y b e p r o v ided b y s o m e
em b o dim ents a r e deta iled b elo W. Oth er a dv a nta ges m a y a ddi
tio na lly b e p r o v ided b y s o m e em b o dim ents a nd a r e env i
s io ned to b e p r o v ided u nder th e s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s .
Cu r r ent 7 . 62 m m r o u nds h a v e a Weigh t a nd v o lu m e
a p p r o x im a tely tWic e th a t o f c u r r ent 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nds ; do u
b ling th e nu m b er o f 7 . 62 m m p r o j ec tiles p er c a r tr idge nega tes
o ne o f th e p r im a r y r ea s o ns 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nds Wer e a do p ted.
H o Wev er , th e 7 . 62 m m DPTN P des ign o f s o m e em b o dim ents
do es no t j u s t do u b le th e nu m b er o f p r o j ec tiles iit a llo Ws ea c h
o f th e tWo p r o j ec tiles to b e o p tim iZed f o r th eir s p ec i? c s o f t
a nd h a r d ta r get def ea t f u nc tio ns . Th is m ea ns th a t o ne 7 . 62 m m
DPTN P r o u nd is no t j u s t eq u iv a lent to tWo 5 . 5 6 m m r o u nds ;
it m ea ns th a t ea c h o f th e 7 . 62 m m p r o j ec tiles c o u ld b e s ig
ni? c a ntly m o r e ef f ec tiv e th a n tWo s ta nda r d 5 . 5 6 m m p r o j ec
tiles . Wh ile 7 . 62 m m c a r tr idges a r e r o u gh ly tWic e a s ex p en
s iv e a s 5 . 5 6 m m c a r tr idges , a 7 . 62 m m DPTN P r o u nd m a y
o nly b e a b o u t 1 0 p er c ent ( c o s t o f th e ex tr a inter na l p r im er a nd
b a s e b leed p r o p ella nt) m o r e ex p ens iv e to m a nu f a c tu r e, a nd
m a y no t r eq u ir e a ny s p ec ia l h a nding, o r m o di? c a tio ns to 7 . 62
m m Wea p o ns .
All a s s a u lt r i? es a nd m a c h ine gu ns h a v e a c y c lic r a te o f
? r eis o m a ny r o u nds p er m inu te, u s u a lly 5 00- 600. Ri? es a nd
m a c h ine gu ns a r m ed With DPTN P r o u nds m a y h a v e a p p r o x i
m a tely tWic e th e ef f ec tiv e r a te o f ? r e, With o u t a ny Wea p o ns
m o di? c a tio ns , s inc e ea c h r o u nd ? r ed is a c tu a lly la u nc h ing
m u ltip le p r o j ec tiles ins tea d o f o nly o ne. S inc e c o ntinu o u s
? r ing gener a tes a lo t o f h ea t, m o s t tr a ining p r o gr a m s s tr es s th e
need to ? r e in b u r s ts o f s ev er a l r o u nds a t a tim e. S o m e a s s a u lt
r i? es h a v e a b u r s t ? r e p o s itio n o n th e s a f ety s Witc h , With th r ee
r o u nds b eing ty p ic a l. Wh en lo a ded With th e DPTN P r o u nd, a
s ingle s h o t s ends a t lea s t tWo p r o j ec tiles do Wnr a nge, a t lea s t
do u b ling th e r a te o f ? r e; a do u b le ta p Wo u ld th er ef o r e s end
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
7
a t lea s t f o u r p r o j ec tiles do Wnr a nge, a t lea s t tWo des igned f o r
s o f t ta r gets , a nd a t lea s t tWo f o r h a r d ta r gets . Ano th er Wa y to
lo o k a t th e DPTN P a dv a nta ge is th a t a n M- 4 no r m a lly h a s a 30
r o u nd m a ga z ine, Wh ile a n eq u iv a lent 7 . 62 m m a s s a u lt r i? e
h a s a 2 0 r o u nd m a ga Zine. H o wev er , th e 2 0 r o u nd 7 . 62 m m
eq u ip p ed With DPTN Ps o f s o m e em b o dim ents Will s end a t
lea s t 40 p r o j ec tiles do Wnr a ngeia t lea s t a th ir ty - th r ee p er c ent
inc r ea s e o v er th e M- 4 u s ing s ta nda r d p r o j ec tiles . In a dditio n,
a s s a u lt r i? e a nd m a c h ine gu ns a r e gener a lly r a ted to ? r e a
s p ec i? c nu m b er o f r o u nds b ef o r e th eir b a r r els a r e r ep la c ed;
th is s a m e o b s er v a tio n a p p lies to th e entir e Wea p o n. With a
DPTN P r o u nd, th e Wea p o n is s u b j ec ted to th e no r m a l Wea r
a nd tea r o f s ingle r o u nd a m m u nitio n b u t a t lea s t tWic e a s m a ny
r o u nds go do Wnr a nge, s igni? c a ntly r edu c ing lo ng ter m lo gis
tic c o s ts .
Th es e a nd o th er f ea tu r es , a s p ec ts a nd a dv a nta ges o f s o m e
em b o dim ents a r e m o r e r ea dily a p p a r ent With r ef er enc e to th e
deta iled des c r ip tio n a nd a c c o m p a ny ing dr a Wings .
BRIE F DE S CRIPTION OF TH E DRAWIN G S
F o r a f u ller u nder s ta nding o f th e na tu r e o f s o m e em b o di
m ents , r ef er enc e s h o u ld b e m a de to th e f o llo Wing deta iled
des c r ip tio n ta k en in c o nj u nc tio n With th e a c c o m p a ny ing
dr a Wings in Wh ic h :
F IG . 1 is a s c h em a tic p er s p ec tiv e v ieW o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile
a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent.
F IG . 2 is a s c h em a tic s ide s ec tio na l v ieW o f th e ? r s t p r o
j ec tile a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent Wh er ein th e inner s c o r ed
s u r f a c e o f th e c a v ity is s h o Wn.
F IG . 3 is a s c h em a tic s ide s ec tio na l v ieW o f th e m u ltip le
p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent,
inc lu ding th e ? r s t a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tiles , th e p r o p ella nt, a nd
th e p r im er .
F IG . 4 is a s c h em a tic p er s p ec tiv e v ieW o f a c a r tr idge
a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent, Wh er ein th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly
is s h o Wn a s p a r t o f th e c a r tr idge, a nd th e b u llet c a s e is s h o Wn
a s a no th er p a r t o f th e c a r tr idge.
F IG . 5 is a s c h em a tic s ide s ec tio na l v ieW o f th e m u ltip le
p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent,
Wh er ein th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is s h o Wn a s p a r t o f a c a r tr idge
th a t is lo a ded in th e c h a m b er o f a ? r ea r m p r io r to ? r ing.
F IG . 6 is a s c h em a tic s ide s ec tio na l v ieW o f th e m u ltip le
p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent,
Wh er ein th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is s h o Wn tr a v eling do Wn th e
b o r e o f a ? r ea r m , b u t h a s no t y et c o m p letely p a s s ed th r o u gh
th e m u ZZle o f th e ? r ea r m .
F IG . 7 is a s c h em a tic s ide s ec tio na l v ieW o f th e m u ltip le
p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a c c o r ding to a n em b o dim ent,
Wh er ein th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly h a s entir ely p a s s ed th r o u gh
th e ? r ea r m m u ZZle a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile h a s b een ej ec ted
f r o m th e c a v ity o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile, th er eb y r elea s ing th e
b a s e b leed ga s f r o m th e c a v ity .
Lik e r ef er enc e nu m er a ls r ef er to lik e p a r ts th r o u gh o u t th e
s ev er a l v ieWs o f th e dr a Wings .
DE TAILE D DE S CRIPTION OF S OME
E MBODIME N TS
Unles s o th er Wis e de? ned, a ll ter m s , a nd es p ec ia lly a ny
tec h nic a l a nd/ o r s c ienti? c ter m s , u s ed h er ein m a y b e ta k en to
h a v e th e s a m e m ea ning a s c o m m o nly u nder s to o d b y o ne
h a v ing a n o r dina r y s k ill in th e a r t.
Ref er enc e is m a de h er ein to s o m e em b o dim ents . It
s h o u ld b e u nder s to o d th a t a n em b o dim ent is a n ex a m p le o f a
p o s s ib le im p lem enta tio n o f a ny f ea tu r es a nd/ o r elem ents p r e
s ented in th e a tta c h ed c la im s . S o m e em b o dim ents h a v e b een
2 0
2 5
30
35
40
45
5 0
5 5
60
65
8
des c r ib ed f o r th e p u r p o s e o f illu m ina ting o ne o r m o r e o f th e
p o tentia l Wa y s in Wh ic h th e s p ec i? c f ea tu r es a nd/ o r elem ents
o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s f u l? ll th e r eq u ir em ents o f u niq u enes s ,
u tility a nd no n- o b v io u s nes s .
Unles s o th er Wis e s p ec i? ed, o ne o r m o r e p a r tic u la r f ea tu r es
a nd/ o r elem ents des c r ib ed in c o nnec tio n With o ne o r m o r e
em b o dim ents m a y b e f o u nd in o ne em b o dim ent, o r m a y b e
f o u nd in m o r e th a n o ne em b o dim ent, o r m a y b e f o u nd in a ll
em b o dim ents , o r m a y b e f o u nd in no em b o dim ents .
Any a nd a ll deta ils s et f o r th h er ein a r e u s ed in th e c o ntex t
o f s o m e em b o dim ents a nd th er ef o r e s h o u ld N OT b e nec es
s a r ily ta k en a s lim iting f a c to r s to th e a tta c h ed c la im s . Any
des c r ip tio ns o f elem ents a nd/ o r f ea tu r es a nd/ o r th e m a ter ia ls
u s ed to c r ea te th o s e elem ents o r f ea tu r es , o r ex a m p les o r
m eth o ds inc lu ded in th e des c r ip tio ns o f th e v a r io u s em b o di
m ents a r e no nlim iting a nd a r e giv en a s a n illu s tr a tio n o nly .
Ac c o r dingly , th e em b o dim ents c a n b e m a nu f a c tu r ed, dis tr ib
u ted, u s ed, p r a c tic ed, a nd c a r r ied o u t in nu m er o u s Wa y s .
Th e a tta c h ed c la im s a nd th eir lega l eq u iv a lents c a n b e
r ea liZed in th e c o ntex t o f em b o dim ents o th er th a n th e o nes
u s ed a s illu s tr a tiv e ex a m p les in th e des c r ip tio n h er ein.
Ref er r ing to th e s ev er a l v ieWs o f th e dr a Wings , th e m u l
tip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is s h o Wn in a c c o r da nc e
With a t lea s t o ne em b o dim ent o f th e inv entio n. In ea c h o f th e
s ev er a l v ieWs , th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is gener a lly indic a ted
a s 1 0.
Ref er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 1 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o Wn in p er s p ec tiv e a nd inc lu des
a n o u ter m em b er 2 0 a nd a n inner m em b er 30. Th e o u ter
m em b er 2 0 de? nes a ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0, a nd th e ter m s o u ter
m em b er 2 0 a nd ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a r e inter c h a ngea b le
h er ein. Th e inner m em b er 30 de? nes a s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30,
a nd th e ter m s inner m em b er 30 a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30
a r e inter c h a ngea b le h er ein. Bo th th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 a r e ? r ed o r p r o j ec ted in c o nj u nc tio n,
s u c h th a t o ne o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 o r th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile
30 c a nno t b e ? r ed o r p r o j ec ted With o u t a ls o ? r ing o r p r o j ec t
ing th e o th er o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 o r th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile
30.
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 2 . Th e ? r s t
p r o j ec tile 2 0 is s h o Wn in elev a ted c r o s s - s ec tio n a nd inc lu des
a c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n 2 2 . In o ne o r m o r e em b o dim ents ,
th e c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n 2 2 m a y b e a c a v ity 2 2 , a s s h o Wn
in th e dr a Wings . Th e ter m s c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n a nd
c a v ity a r e inter c h a ngea b le h er ein, a nd th e im p lic a tio ns o f
th e ter m c a v ity do no t lim it th e s c o p e o f th e ter m c o m m u
nic a ting p o r tio n in a ny Wa y , a s a c a v ity is o nly s h o Wn to
illu s tr a te a p o s s ib le ex a m p le in a p o s s ib le em b o dim ent h a v ing
a c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n. Th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 m a y inc lu de
a s c o r ed s u r f a c e 2 4 h a v ing s c o r es 2 6 a nd m a y f u r th er , in s o m e
em b o dim ents , de? ne a n a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile 2 0. S c o r es
2 6 c r ea te a r ea s o f Wea k nes s in th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 s u c h th a t,
Wh en th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 is p r o j ec ted a nd s u b s eq u ently im p a c ts
o n a ta r get, th e f o r c e o f im p a c t Will c a u s e th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 to
s h a tter a lo ng th e s c o r es 2 6. In th is m a nner , th e lik elih o o d o f
th e f r a gm enta tio n o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile 2 0 is
inc r ea s ed. F r a gm enta tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 c a u s es th e p r o
j ec tile 2 0 to b e p a r tic u la r ly s u ited f o r da m a ging s o f t ta r gets ,
s u c h a s h u m a n ? es h . Up o n im p a c t With a s o f t ta r get, th e
p r o j ec tile 2 0 is s h a tter ed into m u ltip le f r a gm ents th a t s p r ea d
th r o u gh o u t th e ta r get th er eb y c a u s ing m o r e da m a ge th a n a
s ingle, no n- f r a gm enting p r o j ec tile Wo u ld b e c a p a b le o f . In
s o m e em b o dim ents , th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile m a y b e
m a de f r o m a s o f t m eta l, s u c h a s c o p p er a nd/ o r lea d etc . in
o r der to inc r ea s e th e c a p a b ility o f th e p r o j ec tile to def o r m a nd
to p r o m o te ex p a ns io n o f th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 u p o n im p a c t With a
ta r get. E x p a ns io n o f th e p r o j ec tile 2 0 inc r ea s es th e s iZe o f th e
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
im p a c t o n a ta r get, a nd inc r ea s es th e ener gy tr a ns f er to th e
ta r get th er eb y c a u s ing m o r e da m a ge to th e ta r get.
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 3. Th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o wn in elev a tio na l c r o s s - s ec tio n p r io r to
p r o j ec tio n a nd inc lu des th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0, th e s ec o nd
p r o j ec tile 30, a p r o p ella nt 40, a nd a p r im er 5 0.
Ref er enc e is s till m a de to F IG . 3 a nd in p a r tic u la r to th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 o f F IG . 3. Th e inner m em b er o r s ec o nd
p r o j ec tile 3 0 is lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n
2 2 p r io r to p r o j ec tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0. In th e
em b o dim ent s h o Wn in th e ? gu r e, th e c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n
2 2 is a c a v ity 2 2 , Wh er ein th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 is lo c a ted
p a r tia lly With in th e c a v ity 2 2 . Th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 m a y
de? ne a n a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile 30. Th e a r m o r - p en
etr a ting p r o j ec tile 30 h a s a na r r o W, elo nga te s h a p e in o r der to
r edu c e th e f r o nta l a r ea th a t Will a p p ly f o r c e to a ta r get th er eb y
inc r ea s ing th e c h a nc e o f p enetr a tio n. Th e dia m eter o f th e
a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile 30 is s m a ller th a n th e dia m eter
o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile 2 0. In s o m e em b o dim ents , th e
a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile 30 m a y b e m a de f r o m h a r d m et
a ls , s u c h a s s teel, tu ngs ten, dep leted u r a niu m , etc . in o r der to
h elp s tr ength en th e p r o j ec tile 30 a nd p r ev ent th e p r o j ec tile 30
f r o m def o r m ing o r ex p a nding u p o n im p a c t With a ta r get.
Ref er enc e is s till m a de to F IG . 3 a nd in p a r tic u la r to th e
p r o p ella nt 40 o f F IG . 3. Th e p r o p ella nt 40 is a n ex p lo s iv e th a t
is c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted. In s o m e em b o dim ents , th e
p r o p ella nt 40 m a y b e a n ex p lo s iv e th a t is v er y p o Wer f u l a nd
h a v ing a lo W s ens itiv ity th er eb y r eq u ir ing a h igh a m o u nt o f
ener gy to deto na te. Th e p r o p ella nt 40 m a y b e r ef er r ed to a s
th e s ec o nda r y ex p lo s iv e o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0. As s h o Wn in F IG . 3, th e p r o p ella nt 40 is lo c a ted
a dj a c ent to b o th o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 a nd th e inner m em b er
30, p a r tic u la r ly it is lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e c o m m u nic a ting
p o r tio n 2 2 o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0, a nd ev en m o r e p a r tic u la r ly
it is lo c a ted With in th e c a v ity 2 2 o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 in
s o m e em b o dim ents . Th e p r o p ella nt 40 is a ls o lo c a ted a dj a
c ent to th e p r im er 5 0. Wh en th e p r o p ella nt 40 is deto na ted, it
p r es s u r iZes th e s p a c e o f th e c a v ity 2 2 b etWeen th e o u ter
m em b er 2 0 a nd th e inner m em b er 30. Th is p r es s u r iz a tio n
a p p lies a la r ge f o r c e to b o th o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 ( in th e
f o r Wa r d dir ec tio n o f p r o j ec tile m o tio n) a nd th e inner m em b er
30 ( in th e r ev er s e dir ec tio n o f p r o j ec tile m o tio n) th er eb y
c a u s ing th e inner m em b er 30 to With dr a W f r o m th e c o m m u
nic a ting p o r tio n 2 2 a nd th er eb y c a u s ing a n inc r ea s ed s ep a r a
tio n b etWeen th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile
30.
Ref er enc e is s till m a de to F IG . 3 a nd in p a r tic u la r to th e
p r im er 5 0 o f F IG . 3. Th e p r im er 5 0 is a n ex p lo s iv e th a t is
c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted. In s o m e em b o dim ents , th e p r im er
5 0 m a y b e a n ex p lo s iv e th a t is r ela tiv ely Wea k in s tr ength a nd
th a t is ex tr em ely s ens itiv e th er eb y r eq u ir ing v er y little ener gy
to deto na te. Th e p r im er 5 0 m a y b e r ef er r ed to a s th e p r im a r y
ex p lo s iv e o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0. In
p a r tic u la r , s o m e em b o dim ents m a y h a v e a p r im er 5 0 th a t is
s igni? c a ntly m o r e s ens itiv e a nd les s p o Wer f u l th a n th e p r o
p ella nt 40. Th e u s e o f a p r im er 5 0 a nd a p r o p ella nt 40 in
c o m b ina tio n p r o v ides a n a dv a nta ge, na m ely th a t th e p r im a r y
ex p lo s iv e ( i. e. th e p r o p ella nt 40) m a y b e a n ex p lo s iv e f o r m u
la ted to b e s ta b le a nd s a f e to h a ndle to r edu c e th e lik elih o o d
th a t it Will ex p lo de p r em a tu r ely . S ta b le ex p lo s iv es s u c h a s th e
p r o p ella nt 40 m a y b e dif ? c u lt to intentio na lly deto na te, Wh ic h
is Wh y th e p r im er 5 0 is u s ed. Th e p r im er 5 0 m a y b e v er y
u ns ta b le; h o Wev er it m a y a ls o no t b e v er y p o Wer f u l. As s h o Wn
in F IG . 3, th e p r im er 5 0 is lo c a ted a dj a c ent to b o th o f th e o u ter
m em b er 2 0 a nd th e inner m em b er 3 0, p a r tic u la r ly it is lo c a ted
2 0
2 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
60
65
1 0
a dj a c ent to th e c o m m u nic a ting p o r tio n 2 2 o f th e o u ter m em
b er 2 0, a nd ev en m o r e p a r tic u la r ly it is lo c a ted With in th e
c a v ity 2 2 o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 in s o m e em b o dim ents . Th e
p r im er 5 0 is a ls o lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e p r o p ella nt 40. Th e
p r im er 5 0 is intended to deto na te Wh en th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile
30 ins er ts into a nd p enetr a tes th e p r im er 5 0, Wh ic h o c c u r s
Wh en th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 is p r o j ec ted f r o m a Wea p o n.
Mo r e s p ec i? c a lly , in s o m e em b o dim ents , th e ? r ing o f th e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 f r o m a ? r ea r m c a u s es th e s ec o nd p r o
j ec tile 30 to m o v e f o r Wa r d, f u r th er into th e c a v ity 2 2 o f th e
? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0. By m o v ing f o r Wa r d, th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile
30 p enetr a tes a nd b r ea k s into th e p r im er 5 0. Bec a u s e o f its
ins ta b ility , th is c a u s es th e p r im er 5 0 to deto na te th er eb y p r o
v iding th e nec es s a r y a c tiv a tio n ener gy to deto na te th e p r o p el
la nt 40 a nd th er eb y deto na ting th e p r o p ella nt 40. Th er ef o r e, it
c a n b e s een th r o u gh a c h a in o f c a u s a tio n th a t th e p r o j ec tio n o f
th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 c a u s es th e deto na tio n o f th e p r im er
5 0 th a t c a u s es th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt 40 th a t c a u s es
th e inner m em b er 30 to With dr a W f r o m th e c o m m u nic a ting
p o r tio n 2 2 o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 th er eb y c a u s ing s ep a r a tio n
b etWeen th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30.
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 4. Th e m u ltip le
p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o Wn a s p a r t o f a c a r tr idge
1 00 in a c c o r da nc e With a n em b o dim ent. Th e c a r tr idge 1 00
m a y inc lu de a c a s e 1 1 0. Th e c a r tr idge 1 00 is u s ed f o r lo a ding
into a Wea p o n; h o Wev er a f ter th e Wea p o n is ? r ed, o nly th e
m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 a c tu a lly tr a v els
do Wnr a nge. Th e r em a inder o f th e c a r tr idge 1 00, inc lu ding th e
c a s e 1 1 0, m a y b e ej ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n, a s is Well k no Wn
in th e a r t, o r h a ndled in a ny o th er s u ita b le m a nner . Th e c a r
tr idge 1 00 ( no t inc lu ding th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0) m a y b e
o f a ny c a r tr idge ty p e. Th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 m a y b e
lo a ded into a c a r tr idge 1 00 With o u t needing to m o dif y th e
c a r tr idge 1 00. In s o m e em b o dim ents , th e c a r tr idge 1 00 m a y
h a v e a dia m eter o f 7 . 62 m m , h er ein r ef er r ed to a s a 7 . 62 m m
c a r tr idge o r a 7 . 62 m m r o u nd.
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 5 . Th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o Wn in elev a tio na l c r o s s - s ec tio n Wh ile
lo a ded in a Wea p o n 2 00. In a c c o r da nc e With a n em b o dim ent,
th e Wea p o n 2 00 m a y inc lu de a c h a m b er 2 1 0, a b a r r el 2 2 0, a
b o r e 2 30, a nd a m u ZZle 2 40 ( s h o Wn in F IG . 6) . Th e c a r tr idge
1 00 is lo a ded into th e c h a m b er 2 1 0 p r io r to p r o j ec ting th e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0. Th e p o Wder 1 2 0 o f th e c a r tr idge 1 00
is s h o Wn. Th is p o Wder 1 2 0 is deto na ted a t th e tim e o f ? r ing to
p r o j ec t th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 f o r Wa r d th r o u gh th e b o r e
2 30 o f th e b a r r el 2 2 0. At th e tim e o f deto na tio n o f th e p o Wder
1 2 0, th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 s ep a r a tes f r o m th e c a s e 1 1 0.
Pa r tic u la r ly o f no te is th a t in s o m e em b o dim ents , th e dia m eter
o f th e Wides t p o r tio n o f th e o u ter m em b er 2 0 o f th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 is th e s a m e a s th e dia m eter o f th e b o r e 2 30 o f th e
Wea p o n 2 00 in o r der to a llo W a m a x im u m f o r c e b u ildu p
b eh ind th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 ( in th e r ea r o f th e b o r e 2 30
a nd in th e c h a m b er 2 1 0) in o r der to p r o j ec t th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 f o r Wa r d a t th e h igh es t s p eed p o s s ib le. Th e
Wea p o n 2 00 m a y b e o f a ny Wea p o n ty p e. Th e Wea p o n 2 00
m a y b e c o n? gu r ed to ? r e a c a r tr idge 1 00 h a v ing th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 With o u t a ny need to m o dif y th e c a r tr idge 1 00 o r
th e Wea p o n 2 00. Th e Wea p o n 2 00 m a y h a v e a b o r e 2 30 With
a dia m eter o f 7 . 62 m m , s u c h a Wea p o n 2 00 b eing h er ein
r ef er r ed to a s a 7 . 62 m m Wea p o n. 7 . 62 m m Wea p o ns a r e
c o n? gu r ed f o r ? r ing 7 . 62 m m r o u nds .
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 6. Th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o Wn in elev a tio na l c r o s s - s ec tio n a f ter th e
Wea p o n 2 00 h a s b een ? r ed, b u t b ef o r e th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly
1 0 h a s lef t th e b o r e 2 30. Wh ile th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 is
s till c o m p letely o r p a r tia lly With in th e b o r e 2 30 ( i. e. th e entir e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 h a s no t y et p a s s ed th r o u gh th e m u ZZle
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
1 1
2 40) th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 is s till f o r c ed a ga ins t th e ? r s t
p r o j ec tile 2 0 ( i. e. th ey h a v e no t s ep a r a ted y et) . Th is is b ec a u s e
o f th e f o r c e du e to p r es s u r e With in th e b o r e 2 30 b eh ind th e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 a s Well a s th e f o r c e du e to a ir r es is
ta nc e in f r o nt o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0. Th es e tWo f o r c es
k eep th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 lo c k ed
to geth er a nd p r ev ent th em f r o m s ep a r a ting u ntil th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 a c tu a lly lea v es th e b o r e 2 30 o f th e Wea p o n 2 00.
Th e f o r c es o n th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 a r e s tr o ng eno u gh
s u c h th a t th ey k eep th e tWo p r o j ec tiles 2 0, 30 lo c k ed to geth er
des p ite th e p r es s u r e With in th e c a v ity 2 2 th a t is a ls o inc r ea s ing
du e to th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt 40 ( Wh ic h is a p p ly ing
a f o r c e to s ep a r a te th e tWo p r o j ec tiles ) . In s o m e em b o dim ents ,
th e p r o p ella nt m a y de? ne a b a s e b leed ga s gener a to r in
Wh ic h th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt 40 a t th e tim e o f ? r ing
c a u s es th e em is s io n o f a b a s e b leed ga s 42 .
Additio na l r ef er enc e is no W m a de to F IG . 7 . Th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly 1 0 is s h o Wn in elev a tio na l c r o s s s ec tio n a f ter it h a s
lef t th e b o r e 2 30 a nd h a s c o m p letely p a s s ed th r o u gh th e
m u ZZle 2 40. Af ter th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0 c o m p letely
p a s s es th r o u gh th e m u ZZle 2 40, th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 ex p e
r ienc es s igni? c a ntly les s f o r c e f r o m b eh ind, s inc e th e p r es
s u r e th a t h a d b u ilt u p With in th e b o r e 2 30 is no W c a p a b le o f
dis p er s ing into th e a tm o s p h er e. Th e b a s e b leed ga s 42
inc r ea s es th e p r es s u r e With in th e c a v ity 2 2 ( th er eb y h elp ing to
p u s h o u t th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 o nc e th e p r o j ec tile a s s em
b ly 1 0 lea v es th e b o r e 2 30) . Th e p r es s u r e b u ild- u p With in th e
c a v ity 2 2 du e to th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt 40 a nd th e
b u ild- u p o f b a s e b leed ga s 42 , th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile is ej ec ted
f r o m th e c a v ity 2 2 s u c h th a t th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 s ep a r a te. Af ter th e tWo p r o j ec tiles h a v e
s ep a r a ted, th e b a s e b leed ga s 42 p o u r s o u t o f th e c a v ity 2 2 a nd
? lls in th e a r ea b eh ind th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0. Th is a r ea b eh ind
th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 no r m a lly c o ntr ib u tes s igni? c a ntly to th e
dr a g ex p er ienc ed b y th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0, du e to lo W p r es s u r e
in th e a r ea a nd th e tendenc y o f th e a ir ? o W s u r r o u nding th e
? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 to tr y a nd ? ll in th a t lo W p r es s u r e a r ea . Th e
b a s e b leed ga s 42 th a t is r elea s ed into th is lo W p r es s u r e a r ea
b eh ind th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 c a u s es th e a r ea to inc r ea s e in
p r es s u r e, a nd th er ef o r e r edu c es th e a m o u nt o f dr a g th a t th e
? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 ex p er ienc es . Th is m a y p a r tia lly o r c o m
p letely o f f s et th e dif f er enc e in dr a g ex p er ienc ed b y th e ? r s t
p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 du e to dif f er enc es in
s h a p e a nd s iZe. Th e b a s e b leed ga s 42 is th er ef o r e c a p a b le o f
inc r ea s ing th e r a nge o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 b y elim ina ting
s o m e o f th e dr a g ex p er ienc ed b y th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0.
Th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0 a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 30 tr a v el
a lo ng b a llis tic tr a j ec to r ies o nc e ? r ed. Ab a llis tic tr a j ec to r y is
th e p a th th a t a p r o j ec tile ta k es a f ter a p r o p u ls iv e f o r c e is
ter m ina ted a nd th e p r o j ec tile is a c ted o n b y gr a v ity a nd a er o
dy na m ic dr a g. In s o m e em b o dim ents , th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y
o f th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile 3 0 m a y b e m a de s im ila r o r identic a l to
th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile 2 0. In s o m e
em b o dim ents , b a llis tic p r o p er ties ( p r o p er ties h a v ing to do
With th e v elo c ity o r th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e p r o j ec tile) o f
o ne o r b o th p r o j ec tile m a y b e c h a nged b y c h a nging o ne o r
m o r e p h y s ic a l p r o p er ties o f o ne o r m o r e c o m p o nents o f th e
m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly 1 0. Mo r e s p ec i? c a lly ,
in s o m e em b o dim ents , b a llis tic p r o p er ties o f o ne o r b o th
p r o j ec tiles m a y b e c h a nged b y c h a nging th e dia m eter a nd/ o r
th e length a nd/ o r th e Weigh t o f th o s e p r o j ec tiles . Additio na lly ,
in s o m e em b o dim ents , b a llis tic p r o p er ties o f o ne o r b o th
p r o j ec tiles m a y b e c h a nged b y c h a nging th e a m o u nt o f th e
p r o p ella nt 40 u s ed a nd/ o r b y c h a nging th e b u r n r a te o f th e
p r o p ella nt 40.
2 0
2 5
30
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40
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5 0
5 5
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1 2
E XAMPLE S
An ex a m p le o f o ne em b o dim ent Will no W b e des c r ib ed.
Th e s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s is no t lim ited to th e ex a m p le
b elo W.
E x a m p le 1
Adu a l- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a p a b le o f p enetr a ting
b o th h a r d a nd s o f t ta r gets a nd th a t is c a p a b le o f b eing ? r ed
f r o m a 7 . 62 m m Wea p o n h a v ing a b a r r el, a b o r e, a c h a m b er ,
a nd a m u ZZle. Th e du a l p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly inc lu des
a n o u ter m em b er , a n inner m em b er , a p r o p ella nt, a b a s e b leed
ga s , a nd a p r im er .
Th e o u ter m em b er de? nes a n a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile
m a de f r o m a s o f t m eta l s u c h a s lea d a nd/ o r c o p p er etc . Th e
a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile h a s a Wide dia m eter th a t c o ntr ib u tes
to ex p a nding th e p r o j ec tile u p o n im p a c t With a ta r get. Th e
a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile inc lu des a c a v ity th er ein, th e c a v ity
h a v ing a s c o r ed s u r f a c e h a v ing m u ltip le s c o r es . Th e s c o r es
inc r ea s e th e lik elih o o d th a t th e o u ter m em b er Will s ep a r a te
into m u ltip le f r a gm ents u p o n im p a c t With a ta r get. Bo th th e
ex p a ns io n o f th e o u ter m em b er u p o n im p a c t a nd th e s ep a r a
tio n o f th e o u ter m em b er into f r a gm ents u p o n im p a c t s p ec i?
c a lly inc r ea s e th e c a p a b ility o f th e p r o j ec tile to c a u s e da m a ge
to s o f t ta r gets s u c h a s h u m a ns o r a nim a ls , b ec a u s e ex p a ns io n
inc r ea s es th e a r ea o f th e Wo u nd c a u s ed a nd inc r ea s es th e
ener gy tr a ns f er to th e ta r get, Wh ile f r a gm enta tio n s p lits th e
p r o j ec tile into s m a ller , dis p er s ing p r o j ec tiles th a t m a y s p r ea d
th r o u gh a s o f t ta r get a nd da m a ge m u ltip le p o r tio ns o f th e
ta r get ( e. g. da m a ge m u ltip le o r ga ns in a p er s o n) . Th e a nti
p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile tr a v els a lo ng a b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y a f ter
b eing ? r ed f r o m a Wea p o n th a t ter m ina tes a t th e p o int o f
im p a c t With a ta r get. Th is tr a j ec to r y , a nd th e s p eed a t Wh ic h
th e p r o j ec tile tr a v els a lo ng th e tr a j ec to r y , a r e b o th c h a ngea b le
in r es p o ns e to c h a nges in th e dia m eter a nd/ o r th e length
a nd/ o r th e Weigh t a nd/ o r th e s h a p e o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o
j ec tile.
Th e inner m em b er de? nes a n a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile
m a de f r o m a h a r d m eta l s u c h a s s teel, tu ngs ten, dep leted
u r a niu m , etc . Th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile h a s a na r r o W
dia m eter th a t c o ntr ib u tes to p r ev enting a ny def o r m a tio n o r
ex p a ns io n o f th e p r o j ec tile u p o n im p a c t With a ta r get. Bo th th e
na r r o W s h a p e a nd th e h a r d m eta l m a ter ia l s p ec i? c a lly
inc r ea s e th e c a p a b ility o f th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile to
p enetr a te h a r d ta r gets s u c h a s ta nk a r m o r o r b o dy a r m o r . Th e
a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile p a r tia lly ? lls th e c a v ity o f th e a nti
p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile p r io r to ? r ing. Th e ? r ing o f th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly c a u s es th e s im u lta neo u s ? r ing o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel
p r o j ec tile a nd th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile, Wh er ein th e
a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile is ? r ed a lo ng th e s a m e b a llis tic
tr a j ec to r y o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile ( i. e. th e a r m o r
p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile Will h it th e ex a c t s a m e s p o t o f th e ex a c t
s a m e ta r get th a t th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile h its ) . Th is tr a
j ec to r y , a nd th e s p eed a t Wh ic h th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec
tile tr a v els a lo ng th e tr a j ec to r y , a r e b o th c h a ngea b le in
r es p o ns e to c h a nges in th e dia m eter a nd/ o r th e length a nd/ o r
th e Weigh t a nd/ o r th e s h a p e o f th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec
tile.
Th e p r o p ella nt de? nes a b a s e b leed ga s gener a to r a nd is
c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted a nd is h o u s ed With in th e c a v ity o f
th e o u ter m em b er . Th e p r o p ella nt is lo c a ted b etWeen th e o u ter
m em b er a nd th e inner m em b er . Wh en th e p r o p ella nt is deto
na ted, it inc r ea s es th e p r es s u r e o f th e c a v ity o f th e o u ter
m em b er . Th is inc r ea s ed p r es s u r e a p p lies a f o r c e to th e o u ter
m em b er ( in th e f o r Wa r d dir ec tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly s
tr a j ec to r y ) a nd a f o r c e to th e inner m em b er ( in th e o p p o s ite
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
1 3
dir ec tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly s tr a j ec to r y ) . Th is c a u s es
th e inner m em b er to With dr a W f r o m th e c a v ity o f th e o u ter
m em b er . Th is With dr a Wa l c a n o nly o c c u r a f ter th e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly h a s lef t th e b o r e o f th e Wea p o n, f o r Wh en th e p r o
j ec tile a s s em b ly is s till With in th e b o r e, th e p r es s u r e in th e
b o r e is s o s tr o ng th a t it p r ev ents th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly f r o m
s ep a r a ting into th e tWo p r o j ec tiles . Th e With dr a Wa l de? nes a n
inc r ea s ed s ep a r a tio n b etWeen th e a nti- p er s o nnel a nd th e
a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tiles . Th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p el
la nt c a u s es th e p r o p ella nt to b u r n a t a p r edeter m ined b u r n r a te,
Wh er ein c h a nging th e a m o u nt o f th e p r o p ella nt a nd/ o r th e
b u r n r a te o f th e p r o p ella nt m a y c h a nge th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to
r ies o f o ne o r b o th p r o j ec tiles a nd/ o r th e s p eed o f o ne o r b o th
p r o j ec tiles .
Th e b a s e b leed ga s is gener a ted b y th e b u r ning o f th e
p r o p ella nt. It is r elea s ed into th e c a v ity o f th e o u ter m em b er
a f ter th e p r o p ella nt b egins to b u r n, s u b s eq u ently ? lling th e
c a v ity a nd ex p a nding o u tWa r ds f r o m th e c a v ity . Th e b a s e
b leed ga s inc r ea s es th e p r es s u r e o f a ny s p a c e th a t it ? lls . By
inc r ea s ing th e p r es s u r e o f th e c a v ity a nd th e s p a c e b eh ind th e
a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile, it r edu c es th e dr a g ex p er ienc ed b y
th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile, o f f s etting th e dif f er enc e in dr a g
ex p er ienc ed b etWeen b o th p r o j ec tiles du e to th e a r m o r - p en
etr a ting p r o j ec tile b eing na r r o Wer ( th u s ex p er ienc ing les s
dr a g) . Th u s , th e b a s e b leed ga s m a y a llo W th e a nti- p er s o nnel
p r o j ec tile to b e a b le to tr a v el a s f a r a nd a s f a s t a s th e f o llo Wing
a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile.
Th e p r im er is c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted a nd is h o u s ed
With in th e c a v ity o f th e o u ter m em b er , a dj a c ent to th e p r o p el
la nt. Th e deto na tio n o f th e p r im er is c a u s ed b y th e dr iv ing o f
th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile into th e p r im er , b ec a u s e th e
p r im er is a n ex tr em ely s ens itiv e ex p lo s iv e th a t deto na tes o n
c o nta c t. Th e dr iv ing o f th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile into
th e p r im er is c a u s ed b y th e ? r ing o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly .
Th e deto na tio n o f th e p r im er p r o v ides th e nec es s a r y a c tiv a
tio n ener gy r eq u ir ed b y th e p r o p ella nt to deto na te, th er ef o r e it
deto na tes th e p r o p ella nt.
Th r o u gh o u t th e deta iled des c r ip tio n a nd th e a c c o m p a ny ing
dr a Wings enc lo s ed h er ein, s o m e em b o dim ents h a v e b een
s h o Wn, des c r ib ed a nd deta iled, Wh er ein a v a r iety o f p o s s ib le
elem ents a nd/ o r f ea tu r es m a y b e f o r m ed a nd c o n? gu r ed in
dif f er ent Wa y s . Ac c o r dingly , a ny a nd a ll p o s s ib le c o m b ina
tio ns o f th e elem ents a nd/ o r f ea tu r es des c r ib ed in a c c o r da nc e
With th es e v a r io u s em b o dim ents m a y b e des ir a b le to m a nu
f a c tu r er s a nd/ o r m a y h elp to m o r e s u c c es s f u lly m eet c u s to m
er s s p ec i? c needs a nd/ o r p r ef er enc es . Co ns eq u ently , a ny a nd
a ll p o s s ib le c o m b ina tio ns o f th e f ea tu r es o r elem ents o f o ne
em b o dim ent o r m o r e th a n o ne em b o dim ent o r a ll em b o di
m ents m entio ned h er ein a r e f u lly c o ns ider ed With in th e s p ir it
a nd s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s a nd th eir lega l eq u iv a lents .
Th u s , s o m e em b o dim ents o f a m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b ly f o r b eing p r o j ec ted h a v e b een dis c lo s ed. Oth er
em b o dim ents a r e c o ntem p la ted a nd env is io ned a s Well, a nd
th er ef o r e it is r ec o gniZed th a t dep a r tu r es f r o m th e em b o di
m ents des c r ib ed in th is dis c lo s u r e m a y c er ta inly ex is t With in
th e s p ir it a nd s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s . Th o s e h a v ing a n
o r dina r y s k ill in th e a r t Will env is io n o th er p o s s ib le v a r ia tio ns
a nd m o di? c a tio ns to f ea tu r es a nd/ o r elem ents o f th e em b o di
m ents , a nd th ey Will env is io n o th er p o s s ib le em b o dim ents , a ll
o f Wh ic h m a y f a ll With in th e s p ir it a nd s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed
c la im s . Th e s p ir it a nd s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s is th er ef o r e
no t lim ited b y th e des c r ip tio ns a nd illu m ina tio ns o f th e
em b o dim ents th a t h a v e a lr ea dy b een p r es ented, b u t r a th er th e
s p ir it a nd s c o p e c a n o nly b e de? ned b y th e a tta c h ed c la im s
a nd th eir lega l eq u iv a lents a s inter p r eted u nder th e do c tr ine o f
eq u iv a lents . Va r ia tio ns , a ltem a tiv es , a dj u s tm ents , m o di? c a
tio ns , tu nings , a nd dev ia tio ns f r o m th e em b o dim ents o f th e
5
1 0
2 0
2 5
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35
40
45
5 0
5 5
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1 4
ins ta nt dis c lo s u r e a r e f u lly c o ntem p la ted a nd env is io ned
With in th e s p ir it a nd s c o p e o f th e a tta c h ed c la im s .
Wh a t is c la im ed is :
1 . Am u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a p a b le o f b eing
p r o j ec ted f r o m a Wea p o n c o m p r is ing:
a n o u ter m em b er de? ning a ? r s t p r o j ec tile, th e o u ter m em
b er h a v ing a n inter io r c a v ity de? ning a c o m m u nic a ting
p o r tio n;
a n inner m em b er de? ning a s ec o nd p r o j ec tile, th e inner
m em b er b eing r ec eiv ed a nd h eld With in th e c o m m u ni
c a ting p o r tio n o f th e o u ter m em b er p r io r to th e p r o j ec
tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly ;
a p r o p ella nt With in th e inter io r c a v ity o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile
a nd lo c a ted in a f o r Wa r d p o r tio n o f th e inter io r c a v ity
b etWeen th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile a nd
f o r Wa r d o f th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile, a nd th e p r o p ella nt
c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted to inc r ea s e p r es s u r e With in
th e inter io r c a v ity a nd a p p ly a f o r c e to th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile
in o ne dir ec tio n a nd a s im u lta neo u s f o r c e to th e s ec o nd
p r o j ec tile in a n o p p o s ite dir ec tio n to c a u s e s ep a r a tio n o f
th e ? r s t a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tiles f r o m o ne a no th er a f ter th e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly h a s b een p r o j ec ted f r o m th e
Wea p o n; a nd
a p r im er lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e p r o p ella nt With in th e f o r
Wa r d p o r tio n o f th e inter io r c a v ity a nd f o r Wa r d o f th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile, a nd th e p r im er b eing s tr u c tu r ed to
deto na te u p o n th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile m o v ing f o r Wa r d
With in th e inter io r c a v ity a nd s tr ik ing th e p r im er Wh en
th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is p r o j ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n,
a nd Wh er ein deto na tio n o f th e p r im er c a u s es deto na tio n
o f th e p r o p ella nt.
2 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 Wh er ein th e p r o j ec tio n o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o
j ec tile a s s em b ly c a u s es b o th o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile to tr a v el a lo ng th eir o Wn r es p ec tiv e b a llis tic
tr a j ec to r ies , a nd Wh er ein th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e s ec o nd
p r o j ec tile m a y b e c o m m o n to th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e
? r s t p r o j ec tile f o r a ny p r o j ec tio n o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly .
3. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 2 Wh er ein th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e s ec o nd p r o j ec
tile m a y b e identic a l to th e b a llis tic tr a j ec to r y o f th e ? r s t
p r o j ec tile f o r a ny p r o j ec tio n.
4. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 3 Wh er ein o ne o r m o r e p r o p er ties o f o ne o r m o r e c o m
p o nents o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly m a y b e
c h a nged, a nd Wh er ein th e c h a nges to th e p r o p er ties m a y
c h a nge o ne o r m o r e b a llis tic p r o p er ties o f o ne o r b o th o f th e
? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile.
5 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 4 Wh er ein o ne o r m o r e b a llis tic p r o p er ties o f a t lea s t o ne
o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile m a y b e
c h a nged b y th e c h a nging a t lea s t o ne o f th e dia m eter , th e
length , a nd th e Weigh t o f a t lea s t o ne o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd
th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile.
6. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 5 Wh er ein th e o u ter m em b er de? nes a n a nti- p er s o nnel
p r o j ec tile h a v ing a s tr u c tu r e a nd b eing m a de f r o m a m a ter ia l,
Wh er ein b o th o f th e s tr u c tu r e a nd th e m a ter ia l h a v e p r o p er ties
th a t c o ntr ib u te to inc r ea s ing th e def o r m a tio n o f th e o u ter
m em b er Wh en th e p r o j ec ted o u ter m em b er im p a c ts o n a ta r
get.
7 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 6 Wh er ein th e inner m em b er de? nes a n a r m o r - p enetr a t
ing p r o j ec tile h a v ing a s tr u c tu r e a nd b eing m a de f r o m a m a te
r ia l, Wh er ein b o th o f th e s tr u c tu r e a nd th e m a ter ia l h a v e p r o p
er ties th a t c o ntr ib u te to r edu c ing th e def o r m a tio n o f th e inner
US 8, 640, 62 3 B2
1 5
m em b er Wh en th e p r o j ec ted inner m em b er im p a c ts o n th e
ta r get, a nd Wh er ein r edu c ing th e def o r m a tio n o f th e inner
m em b er inc r ea s es th e c a p a b ility o f th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting
p r o j ec tile to p enetr a te th e ta r get.
8. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 7 Wh er ein o ne o r m o r e o f th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec
tile a s s em b lies m a y b e lo a ded into o ne o r m o r e c a r tr idges a nd
s u b s eq u ently p r o j ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n, a nd Wh er ein th e
o p er a tio ns o f b o th lo a ding th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly into th e
c a r tr idge a nd p r o j ec ting th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly f r o m th e
Wea p o n do no t r eq u ir e a ny m o di? c a tio ns to th e c a r tr idge o r
th e Wea p o n.
9 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 8 Wh er ein th e c a r tr idge de? nes a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er
c a r tr idge a nd th e Wea p o n de? nes a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er Wea p o n.
1 0. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 8 Wh er ein th e p r o p ella nt de? nes a b a s e b leed ga s gen
er a to r c a p a b le o f gener a ting b a s e b leed ga s , a nd Wh er ein th e
b a s e b leed ga s c a u s es th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile to ex p er ienc e les s
dr a g Wh ile th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile is in m o tio n.
1 1 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 0 Wh er ein th e b a s e b leed ga s is c a p a b le o f inc r ea s ing
th e r a nge o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile.
1 2 . Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 1 Wh er ein o ne o r m o r e b a llis tic p r o p er ties o f o ne o r
b o th o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile m a y b e
c h a nged b y c h a nging o f th e a m o u nt o f th e p r o p ella nt a nd/ o r
b y th e c h a nging o f th e b u r n r a te o f th e p r o p ella nt.
1 3. Th e m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 2 Wh er ein th e c a r tr idge de? nes a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er
c a r tr idge a nd th e Wea p o n de? nes a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er Wea p o n.
1 4. A du a l- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly f o r p enetr a ting
b o th s o f t a nd h a r d ta r gets , th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a p a b le o f
b eing ? r ed f r o m a Wea p o n h a v ing a t lea s t a b a r r el, a b o r e, a
c h a m b er , a nd a m u ZZle, th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c o m p r is ing:
a n o u ter m em b er de? ning a n a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile h a v
ing a p r e- deter m ined s tr u c tu r e, th e o u ter m em b er b eing
m a de f r o m a s o f t m eta l, b o th o f th e s o f t m eta l m a ter ia l
a nd th e s tr u c tu r e o f th e o u ter m em b er h a v ing p r o p er ties
th a t c o ntr ib u te to inc r ea s ing th e def o r m a tio n o f th e o u ter
m em b er Wh en th e p r o j ec ted a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile
im p a c ts o n a ta r get, th e inc r ea s ed def o r m a tio n inc r ea s
ing th e c a p a b ility o f th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile to
da m a ge s o f t ta r gets , a nd th e o u ter m em b er h a v ing a n
inter io r c a v ity th er ein, th e c a v ity h a v ing a s c o r ed s u r f a c e
With a p lu r a lity o f s c o r es f o r inc r ea s ing th e lik elih o o d
th a t th e o u ter m em b er Will s ep a r a te into m u ltip le f r a g
m ents u p o n im p a c t With a ta r get, a nd th e p r o j ec tio n o f
th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile f r o m th e Wea p o n c a u s ing
th e a nti- p er s o nnel p r o j ec tile to tr a v el a lo ng a b a llis tic
tr a j ec to r y ;
a n inner m em b er de? ning a n a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o j ec tile
h a v ing a p r e- deter m ined s tr u c tu r e, th e inner m em b er
b eing m a de f r o m a h a r d m eta l, b o th o f th e h a r d m eta l
m a ter ia l a nd th e s tr u c tu r e o f th e inner m em b er h a v ing
p r o p er ties th a t c o ntr ib u te to r edu c ing th e def o r m a tio n o f
th e inner m em b er Wh en th e p r o j ec ted a r m o r - p enetr a ting
p r o j ec tile im p a c ts o n a ta r get, th e r edu c ed def o r m a tio n
inc r ea s ing th e c a p a b ility o f th e a r m o r - p enetr a ting p r o
j ec tile to p enetr a te h a r d ta r gets , a nd th e inner m em b er
b eing a t lea s t p a r tia lly c o nta ined a nd h eld With in th e
c a v ity o f th e o u ter m em b er p r io r to p r o j ec tio n;
2 0
2 5
30
35
40
45
5 0
5 5
60
1 6
a p r o p ella nt c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted a nd h o u s ed With in
a f o r Wa r d p o r tio n o f th e c a v ity o f th e o u ter m em b er a nd
lo c a ted b etWeen th e o u ter m em b er a nd th e inner m em b er
a nd f o r Wa r d o f th e inner m em b er th e deto na tio n o f th e
p r o p ella nt c a u s ing a n inc r ea s e in th e p r es s u r e With in th e
c a v ity o f th e o u ter m em b er , th e inc r ea s ed c a v ity p r es s u r e
a p p ly ing a f o r c e in th e f o r Wa r d dir ec tio n to th e o u ter
m em b er a nd s im u lta neo u s ly a p p ly ing a f o r c e in th e
o p p o s ite dir ec tio n to th e inner m em b er , c a u s ing th e
inner m em b er to With dr a W f r o m th e c a v ity a nd s ep a r a te
f r o m th e o u ter m em b er a f ter th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly h a s
lef t th e b o r e o f th e Wea p o n; a nd
a p r im er th a t is c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted b y im p a c t, th e
p r im er h o u s ed With in th e f o r Wa r d p o r tio n o f c a v ity o f th e
o u ter m em b er a nd f o r Wa r d o f th e inner m em b er a nd
lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e p r o p ella nt, th e deto na tio n th e
p r im er b eing c a u s ed b y th e f o r Wa r d p r o j ec ting o f th e
inner m em b er r ela tiv e to th e o u ter m em b er a nd th e inner
m em b er im p a c ting th e p r im er , a nd th e deto na tio n o f th e
p r im er c a u s ing th e deto na tio n o f th e p r o p ella nt.
1 5 . Th e du a l- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 4, Wh er ein o ne o r m o r e o f th e du a l- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile
a s s em b lies is c a p a b le o f b eing lo a ded into a Wea p o n c a r tr idge
a nd s u b s eq u ently p r o j ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n.
1 6. Th e du a l p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 5 , Wh er ein th e c a r tr idge is a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er c a r tr idge
a nd th e Wea p o n is a 7 . 62 m m c a lib er Wea p o n.
1 7 . A m u ltip le- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly c a p a b le o f
b eing p r o j ec ted f r o m a Wea p o n c o m p r is ing:
a ? r s t p r o j ec tile h a v ing a n inter io r c a v ity With a f o r Wa r d
p o r tio n th er ein;
a s ec o nd p r o j ec tile r ec eiv ed a nd h eld a t lea s t p a r tia lly
With in th e inter io r c a v ity o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile p r io r to th e
p r o j ec tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly f r o m th e Wea p o n;
a p r o p ella nt With in th e inter io r c a v ity o f th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile
a nd lo c a ted in a f o r Wa r d p o r tio n o f th e inter io r c a v ity
b etWeen th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile a nd th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile a nd
f o r Wa r d o f th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile, a nd th e p r o p ella nt
c a p a b le o f b eing deto na ted to inc r ea s e p r es s u r e With in
th e inter io r c a v ity a nd a p p ly a f o r c e to th e ? r s t p r o j ec tile
in o ne dir ec tio n a nd a s im u lta neo u s f o r c e to th e s ec o nd
p r o j ec tile in a n o p p o s ite dir ec tio n to c a u s e s ep a r a tio n o f
th e ? r s t a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tiles f r o m o ne a no th er a f ter th e
p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly h a s b een p r o j ec ted f r o m th e
Wea p o n; a nd
a p r im er lo c a ted a dj a c ent to th e p r o p ella nt With in th e f o r
Wa r d p o r tio n o f th e inter io r c a v ity a nd f o r Wa r d o f th e
s ec o nd p r o j ec tile, a nd th e p r im er b eing s tr u c tu r ed to
deto na te u p o n th e s ec o nd p r o j ec tile m o v ing f o r wa r d
With in th e inter io r c a v ity a nd s tr ik ing th e p r im er Wh en
th e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly is p r o j ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n,
a nd Wh er ein deto na tio n o f th e p r im er c a u s es deto na tio n
o f th e p r o p ella nt.
1 8. Th e m u lti- p u r p o s e p r o j ec tile a s s em b ly a s r ec ited in
c la im 1 7 Wh er ein th e p r o p ella nt is s tr u c tu r ed a nd dis p o s ed f o r
gener a ting a b leed ga s th a t is r elea s ed du r ing deto na tio n o f th e
p r o p ella nt, th e b a s e b leed ga s inc r ea s ing p r es s u r e in a s p a c e
dir ec tly b eh ind th e ? r s t a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tiles Wh en th e p r o
j ec tile a s s em b ly h a s b een p r o j ec ted f r o m th e Wea p o n to
r edu c e dr a g f o r c es o n th e ? r s t a nd s ec o nd p r o j ec tiles du r ing
p r o j ec tio n th er eo f .