Projectile

Abstract

A projectile having a body including a waist segment having a diameter substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile, and a fore segment continuous to and extending forward from the waist segment. The body includes a bore formed along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and extending from a leading edge of the fore segment through the body to a floor of the bore located at a first depth from the leading edge of the fore segment. The projectile also includes a tip segment having a which is inserted within the bore. A void is formed between a butt end of the tip segment and the floor of the bore. Upon impact, the tip segment is displaced rapidly through the body causing rapid expansion of the projectile followed by fragmentation as the tip segment is displaced through the body of the projectile.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A projectile comprising: 
 a body including a waist segment having a diameter substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile, and a fore segment continuous to and extending forward from the waist segment, the body including a bore formed along a longitudinal axis of the projectile, the bore extending from a leading edge of the fore segment through the body to a floor at a first depth;    a tip segment inserted within the bore; and    a void disposed between a butt end of the tip segment and the floor of the bore.    
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises a body formed monolithically.  
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises a body formed monolithically by a metal reduction process.  
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises a relatively brittle copper-nickel alloy.  
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises an end wall having a thickness less than or equal to 0.25 times the caliber of the projectile.  
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprising: 
 the fore segment including a side wall having a thickness less than or equal to 0.15 times the caliber of the projectile.  
 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 1  wherein the fore segment further comprises a truncated ogive fore segment.  
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 1  further comprising a tapered tail segment continuous to and extending rearward from the waist segment.