Jun 3, 2025

US12320624 - Sacrificial device for sub-caliber munition

A device is provided for inhibiting pitch and yaw within a barrel bore of a gun-launched projectile having a nose and a boattail. The device includes an endcap, a cruciform and a plug. The endcap attaches to the boattail. The endcap includes a center cavity. The cruciform includes a central ring that engages around the endcap. The cruciform further includes a plurality of radial spokes. Each spoke extends from the ring and ends in a flange that engages the bore. The plug inserts into the ring and the cavity. After the projectile launches from the bore, the plug sheers away from the endcap, thereby causing the cruciform to separate from the endcap. Preferably, the endcap, cruciform and plug are composed of aluminum alloy.

Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Inventors: Eric J. Laxton, Noel J. Colon-Diaz
Filing date: 2024-05-07

munitionfirearmprojectile

The patent describes a sacrificial device designed to stabilize a gun-launched projectile by inhibiting pitch and yaw during its flight. This device consists of an endcap, a cruciform with radial spokes, and a plug, all of which are made from aluminum alloy and are intended to separate after launch to enhance projectile performance.

Claim 1

A device for inhibiting pitch and yaw within a barrel bore of a gun-launched projectile having a nose and a boattail, said device comprising: an endcap that attaches to the boattail, said endcap having a center cavity; a cruciform having a central ring that engages around said endcap, and a plurality of radial spokes, each spoke extending from said ring and ending in a flange that engages the bore; and a plug that inserts into said ring and said cavity, wherein said plug sheers away from said endcap after the projectile launches from the bore, thereby causing said cruciform to separate from said endcap. an endcap that attaches to the boattail, said endcap having a center cavity; a cruciform having a central ring that engages around said endcap, and a plurality of radial spokes, each spoke extending from said ring and ending in a flange that engages the bore; and a plug that inserts into said ring and said cavity, wherein said plug sheers away from said endcap after the projectile launches from the bore, thereby causing said cruciform to separate from said endcap.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12320624

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12320624