Abstract: An ammunition storage and retrieval system comprises a passive magazine having left and right backs of cells arranged in rows, with each cell accommodating a projectile in vertical, base-down orientation; the cells and cell rows being defined by adjacent pairs of elongated superstructures. A projectile loading head is movably mounted by a traveling beam, in turn, movably mounted by elevated rails, such that the loading head may be translated through a center aisle to address a selected row in either bank and then through the selected row to a selected cell for downloading of a projectile therein. A projectile receiver, dependent from the loading head, includes projectile gripping arms and a projectile lifting foot, which are articulated in coordination with operation of projectile locking members mounted by the superstructures to effect downloading.

Abstract: A passive ammunition magazine includes a plurality of cells arranged in rows for accommodating projectiles in vertical, base-down orientations on cell base supports. Each cell includes a pair of vertically spaced locking members mounted at one side of the cell for pivotal movement between lower release positions and upper locking positions with cradle-shaped forward edges frictionally engaging the projectile body. An operator, linked to the locking members, is acted upon by a projectile-supporting foot of an upload/download transfer mechanism to produce the locking member pivotal movements. In their locking positions, the locking members are oriented at angles less than 45.degree. relative to horizontal, and, in response to upward motion of the projectile, pivot upwardly to wedge the projectile against fixed backing members positioned at the opposite side of the cell.