Connecting element for a body made of composite material of a piercing projectile

1. Penetrating projectile provided at least with a body ( 4 ) made of a composite material and a metal nose ( 2 ) arranged at the front of said body ( 4 ), and a connecting element ( 1 ) which is arranged so as to attach said metal nose of said penetrating military projectile ( 3 ) to said body ( 4 ), said connecting element ( 1 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 10 ), the portion ( 12 ) of said connecting element ( 1 ) intended to be attached to said body ( 4 ) comprising at least:

an annular stop ( 13 , 23 ) which is centered relative to the longitudinal axis ( 10 ) and is intended to come into contact with an edge ( 14 , 24 ) of said body ( 4 ) made of a composite material for transmitting an axial compression;

a longitudinal extension ( 15 , 25 ) which is defined from said stop ( 13 , 23 ), comprises a contact face ( 16 , 26 ) and has a shape and a diameter which are adapted to said body ( 4 ), such that the contact face ( 16 , 26 ) of said extension comes laterally into contact with a peripheral surface ( 17 , 27 ) of said body, wherein said longitudinal extension ( 25 ) has a diameter which is adapted to said body ( 4 ) so as to be able to come laterally into contact with a radially inner face ( 27 ) of said body; and

an annular lip ( 22 ) which is attached to the outer edge of the stop ( 23 ) and is longitudinally arranged opposite said longitudinal extension ( 25 ) so as to be able to come laterally into contact with a radially external face ( 28 ) of said body ( 4 ),

wherein the contact face ( 16 , 26 ) of said longitudinal extension ( 15 , 25 ), which face contacts the body ( 4 ) when said body ( 4 ) and said connecting element (a) are assembled, is provided with at least one channel ( 21 ), and

wherein, when said body ( 4 ) and said connecting element are assembled:

(A) said channel ( 21 ) defines a gap between the contact face ( 16 , 26 ) and the longitudinal extension ( 15 , 25 ), and

(B) the contact face ( 16 ) contacts the body ( 4 ) longitudinally forward of and behind said at least one channel ( 21 ).

2. Projectile according to claim 1 , wherein longitudinal extension ( 15 ) has a diameter which is adapted to said body ( 4 ) so as to be able to come laterally into contact with a radially outer face ( 17 ) of said body.

3. Projectile according to claim 2 , wherein said stop ( 13 ) comprises at least one contact surface ( 13 A, 13 B) in a general radial direction.

4. Projectile according to claim 3 , wherein said stop ( 13 ) comprises a plurality of contact surfaces ( 13 A, 13 B) which succeed one another in the radial direction.

5. Projectile according to claim 3 , wherein at least one contact surface ( 13 A) is located in a plane which is radial with respect to said longitudinal axis ( 10 ).

6. Projectile according to claim 3 , wherein at least one contact surface ( 13 B) is of a conical shape which extends outwards towards the rear.

7. Projectile according to claim 1 , wherein the radially successive walls of said projectile ( 3 ) in the region of the connection are such that the rigidity thereof under pressure increases radially outwards.

8. Projectile according to claim 1 , wherein said connecting element ( 1 ) is arranged so as to attach the metal nose ( 2 ) to the body ( 4 ) made of a composite material.

9. Projectile according to claim 8 , wherein said connecting element comprises, in the region of its front portion, connecting means which allow it to be attached to the metal nose.

10. Projectile according to claim 8 , wherein the rear portion of the metal nose ( 2 ) comprises said connecting element ( 1 ).

11. Projectile according to claim 1 , wherein the gap extends the longitudinal distance of the channel.

12. Projectile according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting element comprises metal.