Improvements in and relating to bombs and projectiles for use in aerial warfare

摘要

498,595. Projectiles. MOTLEY, L. June 9, 1937, Nos. 15977 and 18628. [Class 9 (i)] A bomb or projectile for attacking hostile aircraft comprises a number of units coupled by cable and adapted to be separated from each other in the air, increased tension of the coupling cable arising, e.g. by contact with an aircraft causing at least one of the units to explode. The projectile may be fired from a mortar 7 and may comprise a frictionally held cap 1 housing a parachute 2 connected by a bolt 29 passing through wadding 28 to a container 3 which is connected by a coiled cable 8 to a second container 4, the containers accommodating explosive charges 5, 6. Separating charges 9, 10 are located between the parachute and the upper container, and between the containers, respectively. The cable 8 may be coupled with one or both containers by a detonating device which is actuated by excessive tension on the cable. In one form, the cable 8, Fig. 3, is coupled to a lever 11 having a pin to strike the detonator 12, the lever being held in inoperative position by a pin 23 which shears under excessive load. In another form, the cable is coupled to a lever 11, Fig. 4, which is held inoperative by a spring 24 until the cable is subjected to abnormal strain, in which case the lever swings and is snapped to operative position by the spring 24 to strike the detonator 12. The projectile is mounted in a cartridge case 13 which accommodates the propellant charge 14. A time fuze 18 connects the charge 14 with the separating charge 10, and an instantaneous fuze 19 is provided between the separating charges 9, 10. When the projectile is fired, the containers 3, 4, after a given time interval, are separated by the firing of the charge 10 and substantially at the same instant the charge 9 blows off the cap 1 and allows the parachute to open. The container 4 falls to the extent permitted by the cable 8 and the apparatus falls as a whole under the restraint of the parachute, constituting an aerial mine. Impact on the cable, e.g. by hostile aircraft, increases the tension on the cable and fires the explosive charges 5, 6. The projectile may be fired from the ground or may be dropped or fired from an aircraft ; when it is to be dropped, the cartridge case is omitted and the fuze 18 is ignited directly either electrically or by a blow. Specification 498,599 is referred to, as describing and claiming means for automatically ejecting the cartridge case from the muzzle of the mortar after the firing of the projectile.