Flechette
The Flechette is an arrow-shaped projectile (arrow ammunition).
etymology
The flechette is derived from the French. Flechette (German little arrows ).
description
Flechettes usually have a tail unit at the rear end . The tip is usually conical or ogival . Due to their elongated shape, flechettes have a high cross-sectional load , which means that the air resistance is less decelerated than with shorter, equally heavy bullets with larger diameters. These favorable external ballistic properties enable a greater range. The high cross-sectional load improves the penetration power in relation to the target ballistic effect .
Sub-caliber Flechettes
Flechettes are fired from barrel weapons using sabot . Thanks to the light sabot, the cross-sectional load is favorably reduced on the inside ballistic , whereby a higher muzzle velocity is achieved for a given propellant charge and barrel length. After leaving the barrel, the projectile separates from the sabot and thus receives the high cross-sectional load that is favorable on the outside ballistic. Sabot projectiles are fired from draft-free pipes, which can significantly reduce pipe wear, which increases sharply with drawn pipes at high muzzle velocities. Flechettes for guns are mostly made of hard, high- density materials.
Flechette ammunition was occasionally designed for handguns, which, for example, enabled a muzzle velocity of around 1500 m / s for weapons with a caliber of 5.56 mm. As tests with the Steyr ACR showed, the accuracy of the hit was lower than with other assault rifles. The effective range is increased to three to four times that of normal ammunition of the same caliber.
effect
Flechettes cause serious injury because they are unstable and deformed in the victim's body. In tests, for example, the tip bent like a fish hook or the entire projectile took on a U-shape. In addition, flechettes tend to stand across the target.
In tests, all common protective vests and helmets failed. The bullet often pulled parts of this protection or even normal clothing into the wound canal. In particular, protective vest parts led to serious secondary injuries.
The course of the wound canal is unpredictable. The bullet flies straight through steel, but deforms in soft tissue and can therefore change its direction of movement.
Use in other weapon systems
Flechette ammunition was sometimes used in shotguns by the US Navy Seals during the Vietnam War . This ammunition achieved a greater effective range than the otherwise common bullet . One cartridge contained 14 to 40 Flechettes. Due to the insufficient effect in the target, this ammunition could not prevail.
Flechettes are also used as fragments in grenades and warheads:
Artillery:
105 mm grenades that release several thousand flechettes in the target (for example M494 105 mm APERS-T). 120mm shells are currently in development.
Airplanes:
Flechette missile warheads, which are mounted on, for example, Hydra missiles. They contain over a thousand flechettes and are used against infantry formations.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Karl Sellier, Beat P. Kneubuehl: Wound ballistics: and their ballistic basics , 2nd edition, Springer-Verlag, 2013, ISBN 978-3-662-10978-6 , page 168. ( partial preview online )
- ↑ Cartridge 5.56 mm Steyr Flechette- In: WaffenHQ.de.