Abstract: A gun barrel for a hybrid propellant/electrothermal gun has a first barrel portion; a second barrel portion axially separated from the first barrel portion; and an insulator unit forming a third barrel portion. The insulator unit connects the first and second barrel portions to one another and defines a plasma path. There is further provided an arrangement for placing the first barrel portion on a first electric potential and for placing the second barrel portion on a second electric potential. The first and second potentials are different from one another for generating, in the plasma path, an electric arc having an orientation parallel to the barrel axis for heating propellant gases which initially accelerate the projectile.

Abstract: A circulating magazine including a housing (1) in which mutually articulated parallel ammunition containers (5;5') are disposed so as to accommodate ammunition (6,6') in an endless, two-layer transporting belt (4) driven by a drive (13;13'). To realize a quasi three-layer arrangement, guides (11,12; 11',12') for the ammunition containers (5;5') are provided in oppositely disposed container walls (2,3; 2',3') such that the ammunition containers (5,5') of one of the two layers are folded in an essentially zigzag nested arrangement.

Abstract: A ram head for possibly two-part ammunition which is provided at its bottom with a central rotationally symmetrical form-locking zone. In order to be able to unload the ammunition, a housing (1) is provided with a ring (11) that is arranged to be axially displaceable therein and is provided with a plurality of radially pivotally articulated extraction levers (12), with the extraction levers (12) being spreadable against a spring bias by a plunger (25). The ring is coupled with a slide sleeve (22) that is provided with a centering ring (23) having a shape corresponding to the form locking zone of the ammunition and the axial movement of the ring (11) and of the plunger (25) is controllable by an eccentric shaft (8) mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A tank turret including an armored turret housing having a front side provided with solid front armor, and a pivotally mounted gun including a cradle shield, cradle, recoil device and rearward breech block housing being arranged in the turret housing. The armored turret housing, or at least parts of it, are used to increase recoil mass of the gun.

Abstract: An injection device for fluid propellants for a fluid propellant gun includes at least one pump chamber to accommodate a propellant, a pump piston movable therein and a device for the measured opening and closing of apertures in an injector surface disposed at least partially around a combustion chamber of the gun and approximately radially to the direction of ejection of a projectile from the gun. The device for the measured opening and closing of the apertures in the injector surface is composed of a slide provided with passage openings, the slide being relatively movable with respect to the injector surface and being displaceable by a pressure generating device.

Abstract: An injection device for fluid propellants for a fluid propellant gun. The device includes at least one pump chamber for receiving a propellant, with one pump piston movable in each pump chamber. A slide is provided for opening and closing apertures in an injector surface which at least partially surrounds the gun's combustion chamber and which is arranged approximately radially to the projectile ejection direction. The slide and pump piston are configured as mutually freely movable components and a mechanism for developing a pressure is provided for displacing the slide by such pressure.

Abstract: A magazine chain for receiving rounds of ammunition in a parallel series includes end-to-end arranged link plates articulated to one another and forming a first and a second endless link plates series extending parallel spaced to one another; side-by-side arranged retaining members extending from each link plate of the first series to a respective aligned link plate of the second series; two support faces forming part of each retaining member for partially circumferentially surrounding and engaging adjoining rounds of ammunition; and side-by-side arranged cradles extending from the link plates of the first series to a respective aligned link plate of the second series. Each cradle is articulated to link pins joining adjacent link plates to one another. A slot is provided in each end plate of each cradle centrally with respect thereto and generally radially to the respective link pins. Two levers are pivoted to each link plate and are jointed to one another by a guide pin received in the respective slot.

Abstract: A magazine arrangement for a tank turret having a crew chamber and, a tubular weapon, particularly a howitzer, in its front portion, and two magazine units in its rear portion, with the two magazine units being disposed respectively to the right and left of the bore axis of the tubular weapon, and with one magazine unit accommodating propelling charges and the other magazine unit accommodating projectiles.

Abstract: A casing ejector in an enclosed fighting compartment for ejecting stump casings of partially combusted cartridge casings.For purposes of not hindering the loading process of an automatic loading mechanism, the cartridge casing ejecting mechanism includes a linkage of a plurality of holding arms which pivotally support a loading tray which is movable between a receiving position and expelling position. In the receiving position the tray receives the stump casing of a fired cartridge casing. The linkage of holding arms has one end of a cylinder-piston pivotally connected thereto while the other end is pivotally connected to a wall of the fighting compartment. This piston cylinder is adapted to move the tray in the linkage from the receiving position to the expelling position and vice versa. An expelling opening is provided in the fighting compartment opposite the loading tray in its expelling position.

Abstract: To reduce the space required within the rotatable turret housing 24 of an armored vehicle for transferring cartridged ammunition 3 from a magazine 4 in the hull to a magazine 10 in the turret, the gun barrel 1, which is pivotal about a cradle axis 2, is used as a transporting means for the change of ammunition. To transport the cartridged ammunition 3 into the chamber 15 of the gun barrel, the ammunition 3 of the hull magazine 4 in the removal position 5 is arranged at an angle within vehicle hull 23 so that the ammunition 3 forms a straight line 7 with the bore axis 6 of the gun barrel 1, which has been raised by an elevation angle .alpha. with respect to the horizontal. To guide the cartridged ammunition 3 in the region of the recoil path s of the barrel 1, pivotal conduits or spacers 11, 12 are fastened to hull magazine 4 and to turret magazine 10.

Abstract: A ramming device for shells by means of which the kinetic energy necessary for free flight through a Chamber of a gun is imparted to a shell having a base. The device comprises a ramming lever engaging behind the base of said shell and adapted to be driven in a swinging motion around a pivot point. The latter is guided in turn over a circular path such that the end of said lever which acts on said shell passes along an at least approximately linear path parallel to the axis of the bore of a barrel of said gun.