Material based impact reactive projectiles

Abstract

Various embodiments of projectiles and materials based impact reactive projectiles are described. In one embodiment, a projectile includes a projectile core and a tip. The projectile core may include a core base and a central recess that extends from a leading circumferential rim of the projectile core to the core base. The projectile core may further include projectile fingers each separated by a kerf, extending longitudinally from the core base to the leading circumferential rim, and extending radially apart between an outer periphery of the central recess to an outer periphery surface of the core. Depending at least in part upon the type of materials which the projectile is formed from, upon impact, the projectile fingers and core base of the projectile may fracture apart without a slug remaining. Alternatively, the projectile fingers may bloom out, expanding the cross sectional area of the projectile, and slowing the projectile.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A projectile, comprising:
 a projectile core having a central recess formed therein, the central recess including a conical recess portion and a cylindrical recess portion, the projectile core comprising:
 a core base, wherein the central recess extends from a circumferential meplat rim of the projectile core to the core base along an axis of symmetry of the projectile core; and 
 a plurality of projectile fingers each separated by a kerf, the plurality of projectile fingers extending longitudinally from the core base to the circumferential meplat rim and extending radially away from the axis of symmetry between the central recess and an outer periphery surface of the projectile core; and 
   a tip including a nose, a conical taper portion, and a cylindrical anchor pin.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which absorbs sufficient energy such that the plurality of projectile fingers expand outward from the axis of symmetry without breaking away from the core in response to compression of the conical taper portion of the tip into the cylindrical recess portion of the projectile core. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile core is formed from copper or an alloy formed substantially of copper which absorbs sufficient energy such that the plurality of projectile fingers expand outward from the axis of symmetry in response to compression of the conical taper portion of the tip into the cylindrical recess portion of the projectile core. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which fractures apart in response to compression of the conical taper portion of the tip into the cylindrical recess portion of the projectile core. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile core is entirely formed from solid brass. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a first material and the tip is formed from a second material. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the cylindrical anchor pin of the tip is lodged inside the cylindrical recess portion of the central recess; and   the conical taper portion of the tip occupies the conical recess portion of the central recess.   
     
     
         8 . The projectile according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the plurality of projectile fingers includes a plurality of surfaces; and   at least one of the plurality of surfaces of each of the plurality of projectile fingers includes a partial conical surface.   
     
     
         9 . The projectile according to  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of surfaces of each of the plurality of projectile fingers are substantially flat surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile according to  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of surfaces of each of the plurality of projectile fingers include cylindrical surface segments. 
     
     
         11 . A projectile, comprising:
 a projectile core having a central recess formed therein, the projectile core comprising:
 a core base, wherein the central recess extends from a circumferential meplat rim of the projectile core to the core base along an axis of symmetry of the projectile core; and 
 a plurality of projectile fingers separated from each other, the plurality of projectile fingers extending longitudinally from the core base to the circumferential meplat rim; and 
   a tip including a nose.   
     
     
         12 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which absorbs sufficient energy such that the plurality of projectile fingers expand outward from the axis of symmetry without breaking away from the core in response to compression of the tip into the central recess of the projectile core. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile core is formed from copper or an alloy formed substantially of copper which absorbs sufficient energy such that the plurality of projectile fingers expand outward from the axis of symmetry in response to compression of the tip into the central recess of the projectile core. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which fractures apart in response to compression of the tip into the central recess of the projectile core. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a first material and the tip is formed from a second material. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the central recess includes a conical recess portion and a cylindrical recess portion; and   the tip includes a conical taper portion and a cylindrical anchor pin.   
     
     
         17 . A projectile, comprising:
 a projectile core having a central recess formed therein, the projectile core comprising:
 a core base, wherein the central recess extends from a circumferential meplat rim of the projectile core to the core base along an axis of symmetry of the projectile core; and 
 a plurality of projectile fingers separated from each other, the plurality of projectile fingers extending longitudinally from the core base to the circumferential meplat rim; and 
   a tip including a nose, wherein   along the axis of symmetry, the core base extends less than thirty percent of a length of the projectile core.   
     
     
         18 . The projectile according to  claim 17 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which absorbs sufficient energy such that the plurality of projectile fingers expand outward from the axis of symmetry without breaking away from the core in response to compression of the tip into the central recess of the projectile core. 
     
     
         19 . The projectile according to  claim 17 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a solid stock material which fractures apart in response to compression of the tip into the central recess of the projectile core. 
     
     
         20 . The projectile according to  claim 17 , wherein the projectile core is formed from a first material and the tip is formed from a second material.