Rheological Ammunition
Encyclopedia
Rheological ammunition
uses a rheological substance that can be controlled by injecting a current or introducing a magnetic field to the projectile
s core, thereby changing some properties of the projectile. The idea is to create a projectile with a core that can be hard or soft depending on adjustable settings on the weapon. Or development of special purpose ammunition.
Below: A projectile with a magnetic sabot is penetrating an armoured target. After the initial penetration (A) the magnetic sabot is discarded (B) and the projectile core is changing from hard to soft allowing deformation of the projectile (C). After the deformation the projectile have similarity with hollow point ammunition both in deformation and wound ballistics.
Applications range from "entry" ammunition allowing penetration of doors, armours etc. without risking over penetration and the safety of third party.
that can adopt accordingly in a split of a second.
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
uses a rheological substance that can be controlled by injecting a current or introducing a magnetic field to the projectile
Projectile
A projectile is any object projected into space by the exertion of a force. Although a thrown baseball is technically a projectile too, the term more commonly refers to a weapon....
s core, thereby changing some properties of the projectile. The idea is to create a projectile with a core that can be hard or soft depending on adjustable settings on the weapon. Or development of special purpose ammunition.
Possible scenarios and use
The optimal goal is to create a projectile that can be electronically controlled and used in a wide range of situations. Mainly, military and law enforcements scenarios. A soldier can fire live and less lethal ammunitions from the same magazine by choosing weapon settings. A police officer may fire a less lethal projectile and seconds later fire an armour piercing projectile. All from the same magazine loaded with identical rheological ‘bullets’.Scenario with Rheological small arms calibre ammunition
A Rheological projectile (bullet) is supported by a magnetic sabot. The magnetic sabot controls the core properties. As long as the sabot remains in place the core is firm and support the jacket. The projectile will penetrate target without deformation.Below: A projectile with a magnetic sabot is penetrating an armoured target. After the initial penetration (A) the magnetic sabot is discarded (B) and the projectile core is changing from hard to soft allowing deformation of the projectile (C). After the deformation the projectile have similarity with hollow point ammunition both in deformation and wound ballistics.
Applications range from "entry" ammunition allowing penetration of doors, armours etc. without risking over penetration and the safety of third party.
Development phase
Some few patents exists (like US. patent 6553.913 B1 from 2003) but no commercial available projectile will be available for some time to come.Weapon Platform
It will probably first be made available for large calibre riot-guns. Where the large calibre makes it possible to make room for electronics and the battery. But later they will find their way into small calibre firearms. As the inner-ballistics will change between the projectiles fired (Depending on the properties that the projectiles acquired during the reloading process). The obvious choice is to use a firearm with a Rheological fluids based firearms mechanismsRheological fluids based firearms mechanisms
A rheological fluid-based mechanism is a method for designing and powering firearms and ordnance. The mechanisms currently used by firearms and ordnance utilize combustion of gunpowder to propel ammunition...
that can adopt accordingly in a split of a second.