Fin-stabilized projectile with improved aerodynamic performance

This invention relates to projectiles, and it particularly relates to a method of maintaining stability while reducing the aerodynamic drag on fin-stabilized projectiles and free rockets. More specifically, the projectile incorporates a low-drag, freely rotating aft section equipped with a pair of fins that provides an adequate restoring moment to the projectile during flight to provide stability in the plane in which the projectile is pitching (the pitch plane). A projectile includes an elongated forebody and an aft section secured to the forebody. The aft section includes a pair of fins affixed to an aerodynamic, cylindrical section. The lift generated by the low-drag pair of fins is sufficient to counteract most foreseeable angles of attack to be experienced by the projectile. The aft section further includes a bearing that couples the aft section to the forebody of the projectile and is capable of allowing the aft section to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the projectile and independently of the forebody. Thus, during flight the aft section rotates into the maximum lift plane and provides a restoring moment to the projectile, thus providing necessary stability to the projectile while imparting minimum drag.