Device capable small arms ammunition for unmanned systems

Abstract

The design of current small arms ammunition requires the use of radial and lateral accelerations to permit the inclusion of current Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Research at Louisiana Tech's Institute for Micromanufacturing into equipping small arms with MEMS technology has led to the development of a new type of small arms system. This ammunition is able to accelerate outside of its barrel, thereby decreasing the required acceleration for a specified maximum velocity. Additionally, the design of this ammunition eliminates the lateral accelerations typically required to stabilize current small arms ammunition, and permits the inclusion of non-metallic barrels and other components. A review of the current design and performance standards of this ammunition is presented, along with the current MEMS technology being tested for inclusion into this ammunition. A review of new armament systems, capabilities, and applications as a result of these advances is also presented.