Abstract: A gun barrel that can be used to fire projectiles. The gun barrel may be used in satellite-launching operations, in artillery operations, or in fire-fighting operations. The gun barrel has an outer support layer, an inner support layer lining the bore of the gun barrel and a compressible material disposed between the outer support layer and inner support layer. The support layers may be steel, and the compressible material may be concrete. In one embodiment, the breech portion is made of a metal, for example, steel, and the remainder of the gun barrel is made of an inner support layer an outer support layer and a layer of compressible material therebetween. The gun barrel of this invention is less expensive to make and lighter than a similarly-sized gun barrel made of steel, while being sufficiently strong to launch large projectiles.

Abstract: This invention discloses a gun barrel that can be used to fire large projectiles beyond the lower atmosphere, and in particular, that can be used to assist with the launching of satellites into orbit. The gun barrel has an outer support layer, an inner support layer lining the bore of the gun barrel and a compressible material disposed between the outer support layer and inner support layer. The support layers are preferably steel, and the compressible material is preferably concrete. In one embodiment, the breech portion is made of a metal such as steel, and the remainder of the gun barrel is made of an inner support layer an outer support layer and a layer of compressible material therebetween. The gun barrel of this invention is less expensive to make and lighter than a similarly-sized gun barrel made of steel, while being sufficiently strong to launch large projectiles.