Encrypted spectral taggant for a cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge includes a case and a bullet received in the case. The bullet has an encrypted spectral taggant therein. Optionally, the bullet includes a slug and the encrypted spectral taggant may be embedded in the slug. The slug may have a metal matrix material and the encrypted spectral taggant may be mixed with the metal matrix material to form a generally uniform composition. The material of the slug may be doped with the encrypted spectral taggant. Optionally, the bullet includes a jacket surrounding the slug. At least one of the slug, the jacket and the case may have swage lubricant or sealer thereon with the encrypted spectral taggant part of the swage lubricant or sealer. Optionally, the encrypted spectral taggant may be coded for identification purposes. The encrypted spectral taggant may be luminescent and/or fluorescent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge comprising:
 a case; and   a bullet received in the case, at least one of the case and the bullet having an encrypted spectral taggant therein.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug, the encrypted spectral taggant being embedded in the slug. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug having a metal matrix material and the encrypted spectral taggant being mixed with the metal matrix material to form a generally uniform composition. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug, the material of the slug being doped with the encrypted spectral taggant. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug and a jacket surrounding the slug, at least one of the slug and the jacket having swage lubricant thereon, the encrypted spectral taggant being part of the swage lubricant. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug, at least one of the slug and the case having a sealer applied thereto, the encrypted spectral taggant being part of the sealer. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet includes a slug having a pocket formed at a rear of the slug, the bullet including an epoxy filler in the pocket, the encrypted spectral taggant being mixed with the epoxy filler. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a primer, the encrypted spectral taggant provided at the primer. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is provided on the case. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a wad, the encrypted spectral taggant provided on the wad. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is coded for identification purposes. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is a compound comprising more than one rare earth metal. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is a compound comprising more than one lanthanoid element. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is a compound comprising yttrium and at least one lanthanoid element. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant is luminescent. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant has a characteristic emission spectrum. 
     
     
         17 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant has a luminophor that can be effected by irradiation with a wavelength in the infrared range. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypted spectral taggant includes a fluoride as a dopant. 
     
     
         19 . A cartridge identification system comprising:
 a cartridge comprising a case and a bullet received in the case, the bullet having an encrypted spectral taggant therein, the encrypted spectral taggant having a luminophor; and   a reading system comprising a radiation source and one or more detectors for the selective detection of specific emission lines of the luminophor of the encrypted spectral taggant.   
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising:
 inserting a bullet into a case of the cartridge; and   providing an encrypted spectral taggant on or in at least one of the bullet and the case.