OPTICALLY TRACKED PROJECTILE
A projectile, that can be tracked by optical means, is fitted with a special tracer incorporated into the projectile's trailing edge. The rearward facing special tracer is incorporated into a metal disk which is crimped to the projectile's metal jacket. The special tracer includes micro-prismatic features that reflect light at the incidence angle. Alternatively, the disk incorporates a fluorescent dye that is responsive to a laser emission. External emitted radiation is reflected or re-emitted from the trailing edge of the projectile, allowing for an external electro-optic tracking device to identify the position of the projectile in flight.
1 . An ammunition cartridge configured to be fired from a weapon, the cartridge incorporating a projectile comprising an external elongated metal jacket, a ductile core, and a non-pyrotechnic tracer configured perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the projectile, the exterior of the non-pyrotechnic tracer having a reflective surface and a retroreflective morphology, the tracer crimped in place retained by the elongated metal jacket, forming the aft end of the projectile having retroreflective characteristics.
2 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration maximizes a light signal return to a detector in specific wavelengths.
3 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases an observable range of the projectile as the retroreflective surface of the tracer returns light in a specific wavelength to the detector.
4 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases an angle of reflectance of the projectile during a flight of the projectile.
5 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular configuration coincides with a centerline of a fabrication dye for fabricating the projectile.
6 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface of the tracer is formed from a metal.
7 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the reflective surface of the tracer is optimized for reflection in a spectrum associated with a metal chemistry of the reflective surface.
8 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the tracer is configured from a thin metal disk, the configuration maximizing the cavity volume within the projectile.
9 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the tracer is configured from the thin metal disk with the reflective surface of silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, chrome or a dielectric.
10 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the tracer is coated with a reflective chrome finish.
11 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the tracer configured from the thin metal disk allows a cavity of the projectile to have a matching ballistic match to ball ammunition.
12 . The ammunition cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the tracer is crimped without a damage to the retroreflective surface of the tracer.
13 . An ammunition projectile comprising:
a metal jacket;
a ductile core included within the metal jacket; and
a non-pyrotechnic tracer configured perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ammunition projectile, the exterior of the tracer having a reflective surface and a retroreflective morphology, the tracer crimped in place retained by the metal jacket, forming the aft end of the projectile having retroreflective characteristics.
14 . The ammunition projectile of claim 13 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration maximizes a return light signal, in a wavelength, to a detector adjacent to a firing point.
15 . The ammunition projectile of claim 14 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration increases a range the projectile remains visible to the detector.
16 . The ammunition projectile of claim 13 , wherein the perpendicular tracer configuration coincides with a centerline of a fabrication dye for fabricating the ammunition projectile.
17 . The ammunition projectile of claim 13 , wherein the tracer is fabricated from a metal with reflective surface of silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, chrome or a dielectric.
18 . The ammunition projectile of claim 13 , wherein the tracer is fabricated with the retroreflective morphology impressed, embossed, stamped, or etched on a polished metal substrate.
19 . The ammunition projectile of claim 13 , wherein the tracer is coated with a reflective chrome finish.
20 . A method for fabricating a projectile, comprising:
combining a metal jacket with a swaged ductile core, forming a metal jacket with a core;
shaping a metal plate with a retroreflective surface into a disk;
forming a tracer for the projectile with the disk;
inserting the tracer into a tool to form a full metal jacketed projectile and to have a perpendicular alignment in which the tracer is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ammunition projectile; and
crimping the tracer onto an aft end of the metal jacket without a damage to the reflective surface.