Method of achieving controlled, variable ballistic dispersion in automatic weapons

Abstract

A method of achieving controlled, variable ballistic dispersion in an automatic weapon is disclosed includes providing a plurality of cartridges, where each cartridge has a case and a projectile partially inserted into a mouth of the case forming a circumferential joint between the projectile and the mouth of the cartridge and held therein at a different pull strength. The method also includes providing a plurality of adhesive sealants, where each adhesive sealant of the plurality of adhesive sealants sets a design bullet pull strength that is different from each other adhesive sealant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of achieving variable ballistic dispersion from an automatic weapon, the method comprising:
 assembling a plurality of ammunition cartridges such that each of the plurality of ammunition cartridges has a different respective predetermined pull strength;   packaging the plurality of ammunition cartridges into a group for firing sequentially from an automatic weapon.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein assembling the plurality of ammunition cartridges includes applying a respective adhesive sealant to each of the plurality of ammunition cartridges in a respective circumferential joint between a respective case mouth and a respective projectile thereof, the respective adhesive sealants being formulated with different adhesive properties so as to achieve the different respective predetermined pull strengths. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the respective adhesive sealant to each of the plurality of ammunition cartridges includes injecting the respective adhesive sealant into the respective circumferential joint with an applicator having a non-contact jet valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the respective adhesive sealants is formulated to wick around the respective circumferential joint upon injection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the respective adhesive sealant to each of the plurality of ammunition cartridges includes passing each of the plurality of ammunition cartridges down a common production line and applying each of the respective adhesive sealants from a respective applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each of the respective applicators uses a non-contact jet valve to inject the respective adhesive sealant into the respective circumferential joint. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein assembling the plurality of ammunition cartridges further includes at least partially curing each of the respective adhesive sealants using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the different respective predetermined pull strengths is at least 125 pounds force (lbf). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the different respective pull strengths vary from 125 lbf to 300 lbf. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ammunition cartridges include at least three ammunition cartridges having the different respective predetermined pull strengths. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ammunition cartridges include four ammunition cartridges having the different respective predetermined pull strengths. 
     
     
         12 . A method of achieving variable ballistic dispersion from an automatic weapon, the method comprising:
 passing a plurality of ammunition cartridges along a production line with at least first and second portions of the plurality of ammunition cartridges having respective adhesive sealants applied to respective circumferential joints between respective case mouths and respective projectiles thereof;   wherein the respective adhesive sealants are formulated with different adhesive properties such that the first and second portions of the plurality of ammunition cartridges will have different respective predetermined pull strengths.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the respective adhesive sealants is applied from a different applicator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the respective adhesive sealants is applied from at least one applicator having a non-contact jet valve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the respective adhesive sealants is formulated to wick around the respective circumferential joints upon injection. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising passing the plurality of ammunition cartridges past at least one ultraviolet (UV) light and at least partially curing each of the respective adhesive sealants using UV radiation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising packaging the plurality of ammunition cartridges into a group for firing sequentially from an automatic weapon with ammunition cartridges from the first and second portions being interspersed. 
     
     
         18 . A group of ammunition cartridges arranged for firing sequentially from an automatic weapon, the group comprising:
 a first ammunition cartridge having a first predetermined pull strength of a first circumferential joint between a first case mouth and a first projectile; and   a second ammunition cartridge having a second predetermined pull strength of a second circumferential joint between a second case mouth and a second projectile, the first and second predetermined pull strengths being different.   
     
     
         19 . The group of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second predetermined pull strengths are determined by first and second adhesive sealants located, respectively, in first and second circumferential joints. 
     
     
         20 . The group of  claim 18 , further comprising a third ammunition cartridge having a third predetermined pull strength of a third circumferential joint between a third case mouth and a third projectile, the third predetermined pull strength being different from both the first and second predetermined pull strengths.