Combination flash and acoustic suppression system and method

Abstract

A combination acoustic and flash suppression system and method for use with a weapon that fires a bullet. A noise suppressor module or section of the system is adapted to be connected to a distal end of a barrel of the weapon, and a flash suppressor module or section of the system is adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the noise suppressor module, so that the downstream position of the flash suppressor module relative to the noise suppressor module helps to disrupt a Mach disk from forming at a downstream location from the discharge port when a bullet fired from the barrel exits from the discharge port so as to suppress both flash and noise.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A combination acoustic and flash suppression system for use with a weapon that fires a bullet, the system comprising:
 a noise suppressor module having a body portion with an inlet end adapted to be connected to a distal end of a barrel of the weapon, an outlet end, and a bore extending between the inlet and outlet ends concentric with a bore axis of the barrel when the noise suppressor module is connected to the distal end of the barrel; and   a flash suppressor module having a body portion with an inlet end adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the noise suppressor module, an outlet end with a discharge port, a bore in communication with the discharge port extending between the inlet and outlet ends of the flash suppressor module concentric with the bore axis of the barrel when connected to the outlet end of the noise suppressor module, and sidewall openings communicating with the bore,   whereby the downstream position of the flash suppressor module relative to the noise suppressor module helps to disrupt a Mach disk from forming at a downstream location from the discharge port when a bullet fired from the barrel exits from the discharge port.   
     
     
         2 . A noise and flash suppressor for use with a weapon that fires a bullet, the suppressor comprising a body having:
 a noise suppressor section including an inlet end adapted to be connected to a distal end of a barrel of the weapon;   a flash suppressor section including sidewall openings and an outlet end with a discharge port, and located downstream of the noise suppressor section when the inlet end is connected to the distal end of the barrel; and   a bore extending between the inlet and outlet ends concentric with a bore axis of the barrel when the inlet end is connected to the distal end of the barrel, and in communication with the discharge port and the sidewall openings of the flash suppressor section,   whereby the downstream position of the flash suppressor section relative to the noise suppressor section helps to disrupt a Mach disk from forming at a downstream location from the discharge port when a bullet fired from the barrel exits from the discharge port.   
     
     
         3 . A method of suppressing noise and flash from a weapon that fires a bullet, the flash and noise being generated by expanding propellant gasses exiting from a distal end of a barrel of the weapon as the bullet is fired from the weapon, the method comprising:
 providing a noise suppressor module having a body portion with an inlet end adapted to be connected to a distal end of a barrel of the weapon, an outlet end, and a bore extending between the inlet and outlet ends concentric with a bore axis of the barrel when the noise suppressor module is connected to the distal end of the barrel;   providing a flash suppressor module having a body portion with an inlet end adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the noise suppressor module, an outlet end with a discharge port, a bore in communication with the discharge port extending between the inlet and outlet ends of the flash suppressor module concentric with the bore axis of the barrel when connected to the outlet end of the noise suppressor module, and sidewall openings communicating with the bore;   securing the inlet end of the noise suppressor module to the distal end of the barrel; and   securing the inlet end of flash suppressor module to the outlet end of the noise suppressor,   whereby the downstream position of the flash suppressor module relative to the noise suppressor module helps to disrupt a Mach disk from forming at a downstream location from the discharge port when a bullet fired from the barrel exits from the discharge port.