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| Flechettes were used as an air-dropped weapon in ]. These were about four inches long and weighed a couple of ounces. Dropped from an ] over enemy ]es, these gravity missiles were capable of penetrating a helmet and the wearer's skull. | Flechettes were used as an air-dropped weapon in ]. These were about four inches long and weighed a couple of ounces. Dropped from an ] over enemy ]es, these gravity missiles were capable of penetrating a helmet and the wearer's skull. | ||
| Modern day flechettes are used in special ] shells called "beehive" rounds and intended for use against troops in the open. There are also flechette rounds for the M203 ] launcher and the 12-gauge ]. | Modern day flechettes are used in special ] shells called "beehive" rounds (so named for the very distintive whistling buzz made by thousands of flechettes flying downrange at supersonic speeds) and intended for use against troops in the open. There are also flechette rounds for the M203 ] launcher and the 12-gauge ]. | ||
| In the ] the U.S. Army began early developmental work on a flechette rifle cartridge. It was never fielded. | In the ] the U.S. Army began early developmental work on a flechette rifle cartridge. It was never fielded. | ||
Revision as of 20:05, 21 March 2004
The word flechette is French and means "little arrow". It is a projectile having the form of a small metal dart, usually steel, with a sharp-pointed tip and a tail with several vanes to stabilize it during flight.
Flechettes were used as an air-dropped weapon in World War I. These were about four inches long and weighed a couple of ounces. Dropped from an airplane over enemy trenches, these gravity missiles were capable of penetrating a helmet and the wearer's skull.
Modern day flechettes are used in special artillery shells called "beehive" rounds (so named for the very distintive whistling buzz made by thousands of flechettes flying downrange at supersonic speeds) and intended for use against troops in the open. There are also flechette rounds for the M203 grenade launcher and the 12-gauge shotgun.
In the 1960s the U.S. Army began early developmental work on a flechette rifle cartridge. It was never fielded.