Fragment projectile

Abstract

A fragment projectile ( 1 ) that can be produced at low cost, and has a sufficient fragment distribution for combating targets, while avoiding the use of explosives in the interior of space ( 7 ) of the fragment projectile ( 1 ). Instead, the interior space ( 7 ) normally required for the explosive for such proximity is at least partially filled with heavy metal fragments ( 4 ) and a relatively compact pyrotechnical ejector charge ( 5 ) is provided to effect the ejection of the fragments ( 4 ) at a desired or predetermined time. The fragment projectile ( 1 ) should preferably be a sub caliber projectile to attain the highest possible fragment speed in the target region.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fragment projectile, comprising: 
 a projectile casing having a hollow interior space;    heavy metal fragments at least partially filling the hollow space;    an ejector charge disposed at the rear of the hollow space to eject the fragments from the projectile casing, when activated, during the flight of the projectile; and    means for activating the ejector charge at a desired time during the flight of the projectile.    
     
     
         2 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for activating, activates the charge at a predetermined time during the flight of the projectile.  
     
     
         3 . The projectile according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for activating is a timer.  
     
     
         4 . The fragment projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the fragment projectile is a subcaliber projectile provided with a propelling cage sabot.  
     
     
         5 . The fragment projectile according to  claim 4 , wherein the fragments are spherical.  
     
     
         6 . The fragment projectile according to  claim 5 , wherein the fragments comprise tungsten heavy metal.  
     
     
         7 . The fragment projectile according  claim 1 , wherein the means for activating includes a timer or proximity fuse to ignite the ejector charge.  
     
     
         8 . The fragment projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the fragments are spherical.  
     
     
         9 . The fragment projectile according  claim 8 , wherein the fragments are formed of tungsten heavy metal.