Guide cage for sub-calibre, flight stabilised projectile - has longitudinal slits terminating short of the rear end, leaving points of intentional weakness

摘要

Drive cage (1) for a sub-calibre wing-stabilised missile is joined to the latter by the central thread and is made e.g. of aluminium or titanium. It is divided by three slots at a 120 deg.C spacing, produced by a slitting cutter (58) to a depth which leaves remanents of metal (20,50) at each end, bridging the slits. To prevent leakage of the propellant gases, the slits are filled during the presence in the barrel by shims shaped exactly to suit the contours of the slit; they are held in position by clips (with intentionally weak spot) in the groove (37). On leaving the barrel, the drive cage breaks up on three parts.