Underwater projectile launcher - provides projectile directional stability on exit from firing tube

摘要

An underwater weapon (11) has a tube (12) for firing a slender high velocity projectile (13) which has a tip (14) and casing (21) of full cavitation geometry over its length contained in the tube (12) and which is retained by a full calibre guide body (28) provided with points of weakness. The rear end of the guide body (28) and the projectile tail (22) rest against a thrust retaining plate (32) located in front of the propellant charge (26), axial motion of the plate (32) out of the tube outlet (25) being retarded by a radially acting deformation device (37) which temporarily seals the tube outlet (25) against the propellant gas blast. ADVANTAGE - Directional stability perturbations are reduced during exit of the projectile tail from the firing tube so that target hit precision over increased distances is increased.