Sabot stiffener for kinetic energy projectile

Abstract

Stiffeners between sabot petals resist bending of a kinetic energy projece, and thereby reduce aiming dispersion. The stiffeners compensate for material removed during the separation of an annular sabot into individual sabot petals, thereby eliminating the need for post-assembly machining to restore a circular perimeter. The stiffeners may extend radially from the surface of the kinetic energy projectile to the gun bore, for direct force carry-through, to reduce flexure and whip. In one embodiment, a thick portion on each stiffener fits into a notch in the abutting sabot petals to strengthen the sabot in a manner similar to an "I" beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sabot for a kinetic energy projectile comprising: a plurality of sabot petals;   said plurality of sabot petals fitting together to form an annulus about said kinetic energy projectile;   a stiffener, radially disposed between each pair of adjacent edges of said sabot petals; and   stiffening means in each of said stiffeners for resisting a bending of said kinetic energy projectile, whereby an aiming dispersion is reduced.   
     
     
       2. A sabot for a kinetic energy projectile comprising: a plurality of sabot petals;   said plurality of sabot petals fitting together to form an annulus about said kinetic energy projectile;   a stiffener, radially disposed between each pair of adjacent edges of said sabot petals;   said stiffener having a thin portion and a thick portion; a notch in at least one sabot petal accommodating said thick portion; and   permitting means for permitting said stiffener and said plurality of sabot petals to be aerodynamically discarded independently of each other.   
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said permitting means includes: a taper with a predetermined angle at an inner end of said thick portion; and   said predetermined angle is measured from an axis passing longitudinally through a center of said stiffener.   
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: said plurality of sabot petals includes N sabot petals; and   said predetermined angle is no more than (360/2N)°.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: said plurality of sabot petals includes 3 sabot petals; and   said predetermined angle is no more than 60°.   
     
     
       6. A method for manufacturing a sabot for a kinetic energy projectile comprising: forming an annular sabot;   radially cutting said annular sabot at a plurality of locations to form a plurality of sabot petals;   the step of radially cutting removing a predetermined width of material from said annular sabot;   assembling said plurality of sabot petals into an annulus;   the step of assembling including placing a stiffener between each adjacent pair of edges of said plurality of sabot petals; and   said stiffener having a thickness substantially equal to said predetermined width, whereby said annulus has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said annular sabot before the step of radially cutting.   
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: forming a thick portion on said stiffener;   forming a notch in at least one of said adjacent pair of edges; and   said notch accommodating said thick portion.