Optically tracked projectile

Abstract

A projectile, that can be tracked by optical means, is fitted with a special tracer incorporated into the projectile's trailing edge. The rearward facing special tracer is incorporated into a metal disk which is crimped to the projectile's metal jacket. The special tracer includes micro-prismatic features that reflect light at the incidence angle. Alternatively, the disk incorporates a fluorescent dye that is responsive to a laser emission. External emitted radiation is reflected or re-emitted from the trailing edge of the projectile, allowing for an external electro-optic tracking device to identify the position of the projectile in flight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ammunition cartridge configured to be fired from a weapon, the cartridge incorporating a projectile comprising an external elongated metal jacket, a ductile core, and a non-pyrotechnic tracer configured perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the projectile, the exterior of the non-pyrotechnic tracer having a reflective surface and a retroreflective morphology, the tracer crimped in place retained by the elongated metal jacket, forming the aft end of the projectile having retroreflective characteristics. 
     
     
         2 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration maximizes a light signal return to a detector in specific wavelengths. 
     
     
         3 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases an observable range of the projectile as the retroreflective surface of the tracer returns light in a specific wavelength to the detector. 
     
     
         4 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases an angle of reflectance of the projectile during a flight of the projectile. 
     
     
         5 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular configuration coincides with a centerline of a fabrication dye for fabricating the projectile. 
     
     
         6 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface of the tracer is formed from a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the reflective surface of the tracer is optimized for reflection in a spectrum associated with a metal chemistry of the reflective surface. 
     
     
         8 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the tracer is configured from a thin metal disk, the configuration maximizing the cavity volume within the projectile. 
     
     
         9 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein the tracer is configured from the thin metal disk with the reflective surface of silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, chrome or a dielectric. 
     
     
         10 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein the tracer is coated with a reflective chrome finish. 
     
     
         11 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein the tracer configured from the thin metal disk allows a cavity of the projectile to have a matching ballistic match to ball ammunition. 
     
     
         12 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the tracer is crimped without a damage to the retroreflective surface of the tracer. 
     
     
         13 . An ammunition projectile comprising:
 a metal jacket;   a ductile core included within the metal jacket; and   a non-pyrotechnic tracer configured perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ammunition projectile, the exterior of the tracer having a reflective surface and a retroreflective morphology, the tracer crimped in place retained by the metal jacket, forming the aft end of the projectile having retroreflective characteristics.   
     
     
         14 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration maximizes a return light signal, in a wavelength, to a detector adjacent to a firing point. 
     
     
         15 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 14 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases a range the projectile remains visible to the detector. 
     
     
         16 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration coincides with a centerline of a fabrication dye for fabricating the ammunition projectile. 
     
     
         17 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the tracer is fabricated from a metal with reflective surface of silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, chrome or a dielectric. 
     
     
         18 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the tracer is fabricated with the retroreflective morphology impressed, embossed, stamped, or etched on a polished metal substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The ammunition projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the tracer is coated with a reflective chrome finish. 
     
     
         20 . A method for fabricating a projectile, comprising:
 combining a metal jacket with a swaged ductile core, forming a metal jacket with a core;   shaping a metal plate with a retroreflective surface into a disk;   forming a tracer for the projectile with the disk;   inserting the tracer into a tool to form a full metal jacketed projectile and to have a perpendicular alignment in which the tracer is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ammunition projectile; and   crimping the tracer onto an aft end of the metal jacket without a damage to the reflective surface.