A tail fin assembly for a guided projectile which is capable of withstanding the high pressures experienced during launch, which is also capable of stabilizing the projectile 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 include...

The tail section of a fin-stabilized, guided projectile having centrifuga deployed fins is disclosed. A fin retainer and release mechanism engages the projectile fins and holds the fins within the projectile diameter during normal stowage, handling and travel of the projectile down the gun tube. The fin retainer and release mechanism is designed to operate from the forces of gun launch to enable centrifugal deployment of the fins due to projectile rotation after the projectile leaves the gun tub...

A folding fin assembly detent for reliably holding folding fins in the deyed position accurately and with relation to each other as well as to the center line of the entire missile assembly comprising a double ball detent incorporating two spring loaded hardened steel balls carried in a hole through the fin hub parallel to the fin hinge pin.

An aerial missile is provided with a pair of vane members mounted on opposite sides of the body thereof in recesses provided therefor. Each vane member includes a planar elongated mounting section disposed in a recess; each of such vane member mounting sections being rotatable about an axis passing perpendicularly therethrough adjacent an end thereof. Such axes intersect at a point on the longitudinal plane of symmetry of such missile body and outwardly and downwardly diverge therefrom. Such van...

A flight control device is described for a flying object assembly. The assembly has a plurality of fins symmetrically disposed thereabout. Each of the fins is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A support is provided for the flight control device. The flight control device further includes a frame for each fin which is connected to the fin by a pivot and is freely movable with respect to the support. The fin can be angularly displaced about the pivot. A main shaft is r...

A simple, retractable, self-erecting wing for a low speed missile having a fabric wing cover affixed to a leading edge structure that is the only erected structural member in the wing operative position. The wing cover forms a pocket that contains air. The leading edge structure is hinged and folds, along with the wing cover, into a compact slotted space adjacent the outer wall of a missile body. In the folded position the leading edge structure forms a cover for the slot and the cover coincides...

The present invention relates to a semi-rigid airfoil for use with airborne vehicles and capable of being folded and/or warped. The airfoil includes a rigid spar defining a leading edge and a cable defining the trailing edge with the root end thereof secured to the fuselage of the vehicle and the other end to a tip truss structure, with a flexible material forming top and bottom airfoil surfaces. Means are also provided for twisting portions of the airfoil about an axis extending through the roo...

A sabot projectile having pivotal vanes secured to support means, the vanes in a first position forming a substantially pyramid-shaped sabot and after pivoting about an axis into a second position forming a resistance-free guide mechanism. The tip of the pyramid-shaped sabot, viewed in the direction of flight, being directed towards the rear, and the lateral boundary surfaces of the vanes in a first position tightly bearing against one another under the action of the gas pressure, and the vanes ...

The invention relates to a fin arrangement for a self-propelled projectile which comprises a sleeve mounted coaxially and slidingly over the rear part of the venture of the projectile. The fins are hinged to said sleeve. The sleeve is displaced under the acceleration force of the projectile, after having left the launching tube, from a forward rest position to a rearward service position. This rectilinear displacement of the sleeve causes the unfolding of the fins, the rear part of which are gui...

A rocket having flip out tail fins with cooperating surfaces on said fins d the rear of said rocket to maintain said fins in extended position. Spring means for urging said cooperating surfaces into engagement with each other.