This subclass covers all mechanical and materials aspects of ammunition of all calibres, explosive charges, fireworks, non-firearm projectiles/missiles.

It also covers the aspects of manufacturing, destructions, dismantling, testing and packaging of ammunition.

It further covers accessories for use whith ammunition not elsewhere classified.

The classification is generally only based on structural and functional aspects, irrespective of caliber scaling/sizing.

C06B: Chemical aspects of explosives, explosive compositions

C06C: Chemical aspects of primers and detonators

The following IPC groups are not used in the CPC. Subject matter covered by these groups is classified in the following ECLA groups:

F42B 5/14 covered by F42B 12/40, A01K 11/00

F42B 19/10 covered by F41G 7/24

Configuration, shape, manufacturing processes of explosive charges per se.

Shaped charges forming explosively formed projectiles or jets.

A hollow charge is a container filled with an explosive at least one side of the explosive having a concave hollow, which collapses upon detonation, the detonation of the explosive being initiated at the side opposite of the hollow. The hollow may be conical in shape to produce a jet or hemi-spherical to produce a projectile. The hollow is usually delimited by a liner.

A more generic shaped charge may have a convex active surface with an optional liner.

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

Includes blasting cartridges per se, i.e. the assembly of an outer protecting case containing a predefined amount of explosive, ready for the use in blasting operation. Usually the case has a provision for inserting or attaching an initiator or detonator.

Further inlcudes initiators for the blasting cartridges and means for mounting the initator to the blasting cartridge.

Also included are detonation wave guides in blasting cartridges and explosive bolts.

Also includes means for initiation or detonation.

Includes gas generators and explosive bolts.

Includes anchoring pins or electric lead wires in a sealing plug.

Includes all mechanical aspects of fireworks for amusement purposes.

The only defence aspect in this main group is in the flares in F42B 4/26 for signalling, illuminating and as leurres/decoys.

Includes containers for fireworks that serve as packaging for storage and transport and also serve as launch units.

Flares for signalling, illuminating and as leurres/decoys.

Flares consisting of stacked platelets or disc shaped pellets use "platelets".

Flares consisting of elongated packages filled with slow burning chemical compositions with high electromagnetic spectrum output that burn down from one end as torches.

A cartridge is traditionally considered to be the combination of projectile, propellant, primer and cartridge case into a single unit. This subclass further includes caseless ammunitions, i.e. a unit comprising a formed propellant, primer and projectile without a case. This main group covers all the cartridged ammunitions except for the shotgun ammunitions, which are covered in F42B 7/00.

Also comprises separately packaged propellant charges for artillery gun.

In patent documents, the expression/word "missile" are often used with the meaning "projectile", "bullet", "grenade", "warhead", "shell", "slug".

In patent documents, the expression/word "cartridge " are often used with the meaning " round of ammunition ".

Includes identification markings on case or projectile.

Roman candle type guns, e.g. Metal Storm type.

Includes optical ignition.

All projectiles or missiles which are not propelled from a firearm, i.e. not propelled by the combustion of a propellant in the cartridge chamber of a firearm’s barrel, including darts, arrows, crossbow bolts, harpoons, fish spears, airgun pellets, paint balls, throwing stars or other non-standard-dart sharp throwing objects excluding knives and axes.

Includes throwing stars or other non-standard-dart sharp throwing objects excluding knives and axes.

In patent documents the following expressions/words "shuriken"," throwing star" and " ninja star" are often used as synonyms.

Includes suction cup or soft tip safety tips for arrows and darts.

All projectiles or missiles specially adapted to be fired from a smooth bore shotgun barrel for shot pellets or from a rifled shotgun barrel for slugs. In literature a difference between birdshot and buckshot is made, however in the classification scheme these difference in shot dimension is not taken into account, i.e. bird- and buckshot will be both classified under F42B 7/04.

Ammunition either devoid of - or with strongly reduced - propellant energy or warhead energy, in order to enable safe and cost-efficient weapon’s training, i.e. including inert or dummy ammunition and reduced energy ammunition.

Mechanical means for influencing, temporarily or constantly the aerodynamic properties of a projectile or missile or otherwise change its trajectory, i.e. the means physically influencing the projectile or missile to change behaviour. The influence being either the change of trajectory of the projectile or missile by intentional steering through remote control or on board control, the steering being effected with flight surfaces, thrust vector control or centre of gravity displacement. Alternatively the influence being the range increasing or the projectile or missile with aerodynamic means such as streamlined projectiles or lift inducing flight surfaces. Alternatively the influence could be the range reducing of the projectiles with aerodynamic spoilers or similar means. Alternatively the influence could be the fall retarding means, like parachutes or rotochutes, either with dropped warheads or in the final descent of the parabolic flight of a projectile.

The electronic or logic control of the mechanical influencing means of this main group is covered in the groups F41G 7/00.

The warheads of self-propelled missiles and rockets as well as projectiles which are not self propelled (F42B 15/00) are classified according to two major aspects, i.e. their intended effect (F42B 12/02-F42B 12/72) and the material of the projectile (F42B 12/74-F42B 12/82). In this whole main group, the ammunition is classified according to functional features.

In this main group classification is performed disregarding parameters such as calibres, weight and dimensions.

In case of multi-role, multiple purpose, multi-aspect or multiple warhead ammunition, classification in more than one group may be necessary.

Tracer projectiles by means of radiation caused by pyrotechnical compositions.

Includes marking with paint, e.g. paintball or with smoke or similar liquid or powdery substances.

Includes flash-bang hand grenades.

Double classify flash-bangs hand grenades in F42B 27/00.

Thermobaric warheads, i.e. destruction though synergetic effect of excessive heat, pressure.

Includes the means for guiding the projectiles with nominal calibre inside the barrel with one ore more malleable driving bands around the periphery of the projectile.

Also includes obturators for sealing the projectile so that no propellant gas leaks around the projectile.

Further includes coatings on projectiles with provisions for lubricating, i.e. reducing the friction between the barrel and the projectile.

Also includes all the sub-calibre projectiles, in particular the means for guiding them inside the normal calibre barrel, such as obturator plates and sabots.

This main group covers all the missiles and projectiles with their own propulsion system and/or guidance system. The rockets and missiles must have at least part of their trajectory in the air.

These self-propelled missiles main group is structured according to the following aspects:

Mechanical and integrated arrangements for guidance or control mounted on the missile.

Their application without warhead (measurement instruments carriers)

The medium they are designed for (air or water and air).

Functional features such as heat shields/cooling arrangements and multi-stage rocket connectors and/or disconnectors.

The only exception of missiles and projectiles with their own propulsion system and/or guidance system not covered in this main group are the rocket torpedoes, which are covered in F42B 17/00.

A rocket torpedo is a special case of a self-propelled projectile or missile.

Guidance aspects and specific structural aspects need to be classified in F42B 15/00 if applicable.

All aspects relating to torpedo, i.e. self-propelled and/or guided missile with a trajectory mainly under water, they may be lauched from surface vessels or aircraft, however their auto-propulsion system is designed for underwater use.

Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from helicopters.

A marine mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Mines are deployed from ships, submarines and aircraft and usually left unattended until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel. Marine mines can be used offensively—to hamper enemy shipping movements or lock vessels into a harbour; or defensively—to protect friendly vessels and create "safe" zones.

The main group is organised according to the functionality or the mine, the deployments aspects, tactical aspects and detail structural features.

In patent documents the following expressions/words " Marine mine " and " naval mine" are often used as synonyms.

A land mine is a self-contained explosive device placed on the ground or buried under the ground with the intention to destroy ground vehicles or harm infantrymen. Mines are deployed manually according to a very detailed planned pattern or scattered from minelaying vehicles of cargo ammunitions and usually left unattended until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, a vehicle or a person.

Since the entry into force of the ottawa treaty internationally banning land mines, the amount of new patent applications aimed at anti-personel mines is negligible and the groups F42B 23/10 and lower are stagnant. However non-lethal anti-personel devices for perimeter restrictions using electical stun technology, repellants or electromagnetic fields are classified in F42B 23/10 for their tactical similarity.

A conventional aircraft-delivered bomb that does not contain a guidance system and hence, simply follows a gravitationally imposed ballistic trajectory.

A conventional hand grenade is an explosive device with an explosive charge, an enclosing casing and a initiator arrangement, adapted to be thrown by hand. Traditionally the grenade has timing means to delay detonation until the grenade is sufficiently remote from the person throwing it. Embodiments with impact fuzes or the like are exceptions. Furthermore the casing of the grenade can be designed so as to create splinters upon detonation.

The explosive charge is meant to cause blast (offensive grenade) and/or spread fragments (defensive grenades).

This main group also includes non-lethal hand grenades or hand grenades with reduced lethality, such as flash-bang or stun grenades.

Finally smoke/gas/incendiary/illuminating grenades specially adapted to be thrown by hand are included in this main group.

Smoke/gas/incendiary/illuminating/flash-bang grenades specially adapted to be thrown by hand must be double classified in F42B 12/00 or F41H 13/00 for their functional and intended effect features.

Cartridged ammunition with means for retaining the residues of their propellant after its consumption in a sealed chamber or compartment to avoid any audible or visible indication of a shot being fired except for the launched projectile.

In this main group ammunition is mainly classified according to the launcher the ammunition is made to be launched from, i.e. bullets (for smallarms), grenades for launching form a rifle or specifically made for ordnance like mortars (larger calibre guns) and pyrotechnically launched (not hand held) harpoons.

Further this main group has two detail entries for structural details not covered anywhere else, i.e. closures or base plates of projectiles and sensor mounts on projectiles.

Ammunition specially adapted for a specific launcher not listed in this main group need to be classified in the main group F42B 30/00.

In general, documents classified in the groups according to the launchers, i.e. F42B 30/02-F42B 30/14, should be double classified in F42B 5/00-F42B 29/00 according to the structural or functional features , e.g. materials for the projectile body or jackets F42B 12/72.

Processes and devices for initial manufacturing of an ammunition as well as processes and devices for reconditioning/reusing ammunition or parts of ammunitions.

Also includes processes and devices for dismantling or controlled destruction of unused ammunition.

This group includes the dismantling of ammunition with the aim of avoiding the triggering of a catastrophic detonation, e.g. by chemical bath, deep freezing, incinerator, laser cutting of the mantle.

This class includes destruction of ammunition by combustion in the sense of incineration, i.e. no pressure confinement chambers or detonators are used. The aim is the deflagration at low pressure of the explosive to be destroyed.

Incineration in fluidised bed reactors.

It includes the testing and checking of ammunition before the use, i.e during manufacturing, during storage or just prior to launch/deployment.

It further inlcudes processes and devices for the forensic testing of smallarms ammunition after an incident or crime.

Also includes firing test batches in specialised testing devices equipped with measuring instruments and/or high speed cameras; specialised testing devices therefore.

Packaging of ammunition, e.g. cartridges, projectiles, warheads, rocket engines, fuzes, primers, self-contained propellants, detonators or explosives for safe storage and transport (in vehicle or worn on body).

Belt or webbing worn ammunition pouches or magazine pouches or speedloader holsters.

Holders for extra ammunition mounted on the outside of a gun or gunstock.

Means facilitating the feeding of ammunition to automatic firearms, i.e. cartridges carried by a textile band or by carrier units each holding one cartridge, the carrier units being sequentially connected to each other by connecting elements or connected to each other by belt links, each belt link holding one cartridge and embracing the previous or subsequent cartridge.

Includes solid inflexible metal strips or racks acting similar to belts (Hotchkiss type or Japanese Model 01 (1941)or japanese Type 92 HMG).

Arrangements for reducing damage effects from the outside environment, e.g. fire, on the ammunition.

Venting arrangements including pyrotechnic cutting arrangements

Arrangements for reducing damage to the outside environment caused by unintended activation of the ammunition itself, e.g. pressure or heat build up.