Edgardo Maldonado

US Patent:

8220392, Jul 17, 2012

Filed:

Jul 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/193988

Inventors:

Edgardo Maldonado - Orlando FL, US
Daniel J. Hartman - Orlando FL, US
Noel Gonzalez - Oviedo FL, US
William G. Rouse - Havre de Grace MD, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

F42B 30/04

US Classification:

102368, 102351, 42105

Abstract:

A launchable grenade system is backwards compatible with conventional launch platforms and is capable of launching a variety of payloads at greater range and increased launch velocity, and with significantly improved targeting accuracy. The grenade is pre-packaged in a disposable launch canister that effectively confines launch ejection gases behind the projectile until it exits the canister. Additional enhancements in one or more embodiments, include collapsible aerodynamic stabilizers that are folded inside the launch canister prior to firing and deploy in flight to improve projectile stability and ballistic performance; electronic fuzing for improved repeatability and targeting precision, next-generation digital capabilities that include electronic device identification, failsafe and device monitoring; and momentum arresting forward expulsion of the payload to reduce blunt trauma hazard from projectile hardware and to provide for short distance targeting at significantly greater speed.