UNLOCKING TAIL FIN ASSEMBLY FOR GUIDED PROJECTILES

摘要

A tail fin assembly (7) for a guided projectile (1) which is capable of withstanding the high pressures experienced during launch, which is also capable of stabilizing the projectile (1) during initial flight shortly after emergence from the cannon or large gun barrel and which is also capable of freely spinning relative to the projectile front section for the remainder of the flight to minimize projectile roll to accomplish all of these capabilities sequentially during a single launch. The assembly includes the projectile (1) and a rotatable member, preferably a tail fin assembly (7) with tails fins (9) which is rotatable about the projectile major axis and which is normally locked against rotation about the projectile (1). A locking structure is provided for locking the rotatable member against the rotation which is responsive to apredetermined condition to permit rotation of the rotatable member about the projectile. The tail fins are normally retracted and secured to the rotatable member and are extendable in response to a predetermined condition.