Abstract: A propellant charge magazine having a magazine housing in which propellant charges are disposed and that can be cooled by a device for distribution and/or discharge of cooling air disposed in, or within the immediate vicinity of, the propellant charge magazine. A cooling air distribution system can be disposed in a combat compartment housing, with an air discharge device thereof being disposed in an upper portion of the housing for guiding cooling air into a lateral area of the housing. A deflector guides the cooling air downwardly in the lateral area and upwardly in a central area of the housing.

Abstract: A propellant charge magazine having a magazine housing in which propellant charges are disposed and that can be cooled by a device for distribution and/or discharge of cooling air disposed in, or within the immediate vicinity of, the propellant charge magazine. A cooling air distribution system can be disposed in a combat compartment housing, with an air discharge device thereof being disposed in an upper portion of the housing for guiding cooling air into a lateral area of the housing. A deflector guides the cooling air downwardly in the lateral area and upwardly in a central area of the housing.

Abstract: A weapon system, especially for a ship, having a rocket launcher and an ammunition compartment for storing rocket containers designed to each accommodate at least one rocket. Disposed in the ammunition compartment is a guide mechanism on which at least two ammunition carriages, designed to accommodate the rocket containers, are displaceably disposed, whereby they can be shifted out of a parked position into a loading position in which the rocket container is disposed essentially below a slide-in structure of the rocket launcher. Securing mechanisms are provided for securing the ammunition carriages in place on the guide mechanism.

Abstract: A large-caliber gun integrated into a military ship and mounted with the turret and the weapons system of an armored howitzer. Disposed below the turret body portion is a shell magazine in which is installed a shell transporter that grasps the shells and supplies them to a shell-raising mechanism, by means of which the shells are conveyed from the shell magazine into the turret body portion. A shell transfer arm, pivotably mounted on the trunnion of the weapon, carries at one end a charger that in the raised position of the shell transfer arm is aligned with the gun bore axis of the weapon, and in the lowered position is aligned with the direction of movement of the shell-raising mechanism. The shells are introduced from the shell-raising mechanism directly into the charger and after pivoting-up of the shell transferring arm are supplied to the weapon.

Abstract: A large-caliber gun integrated into a military ship and mounted with the turret and the weapons system of an armored howitzer. Disposed below the turret body portion is a shell magazine in which is installed a shell transporter that grasps the shells and supplies them to a shell-raising mechanism, by means of which the shells are conveyed from the shell magazine into the turret body portion. A shell transfer arm, pivotably mounted on the trunnion of the weapon, carries at one end a charger that in the raised position of the shell transfer arm is aligned with the gun bore axis of the weapon, and in the lowered position is aligned with the direction of movement of the shell-raising mechanism. The shells are introduced from the shell-raising mechanism directly into the charger and after pivoting-up of the shell transferring arm are supplied to the weapon.

Abstract: A weapon system, especially for a ship, having a rocket launcher and an ammunition compartment for storing rocket containers designed to each accommodate at least one rocket. Disposed in the ammunition compartment is a guide mechanism on which at least two ammunition carriages, designed to accommodate the rocket containers, are displaceably disposed, whereby they can be shifted out of a parked position into a loading position in which the rocket container is disposed essentially below a slide-in structure of the rocket launcher. Securing mechanisms are provided for securing the ammunition carriages in place on the guide mechanism.

Abstract: A firing module having a fully automatic shell supply mechanism for supplying shells to a heavy weapon in a housing. A shell ram having a loading tray is disposed on a free end of a shell transfer arm that is pivotable between a raised position, in which the loading tray is aligned with the gun bore axis, parallel to a plane of elevation, and a lowered position, in which the tray is essentially vertical. A gripping mechanism on a shell transport arm grasps a vertical shell stored in at least one ammunition magazine for supplying a shell from a shell transporter, to the loading tray, in the lowered position of the shell transfer arm. The ammunition magazines and transporter are disposed in the housing ahead of a trunnion. The loading tray is pivotable about a pivot axis, which is essentially vertical in the lowered position of the shell transfer arm, by at least 180° between a receiving position opening ahead of the trunnion, and a delivery position opening behind the trunnion.

Abstract: An artillery gun having a weapon disposed on a carrier vehicle is provided and comprises a first module, containing the weapon and mounted on a gun mount and also containing at least a portion of an automatic projectile feed mechanism. A second module contains further portions of the projectile feed mechanism. A standby member disposed to the rear of a projectile transporter of the feed mechanism is displaceably guided and can be disposed in a transfer position parallel to a charger disposed on a free end of a projectile transfer arm of the first module. A third module is provided and is embodied as a munitions magazine in which are stored upright projectiles that are adapted to be grasped via a projectile transporter and, accompanied by rotation and alignment, are conveyed via the standby member and charger into a region at the rear of the end of the weapon and to be raised into a loading position. At least one fourth module forms the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a firing module with a housing (1), mounted such as to rotate on a, carrier construction (T), in which a heavy weapon (W) is mounted such as to pivot n elevation The shells (4.11) stored vertically in the shell magazine (4.1) are supplied to the loading tray (5.1) of a shell ram by means of a shell transporter (6), which is arranged on the free end of a shell transfer arm (5). The shell transfer arm (5) can be pivoted from a raised position, in which the loading tray (5.1) is arranged running along the bore centre axis (R) of the weapon into a lowered position in which the shells from the shell transporter are introduced into the essentially vertical loading tray. The shell magazine and the shell transporter are both arranged in the housing in the region in front of the trunnions. At least one propellant magazine (7.1) is arranged in the housing in the region alongside or behind the trunnions.

Abstract: An artillery gun having a weapon disposed on a carrier vehicle is provided and comprises a first module, containing the weapon and mounted on a gun mount and also containing at least a portion of an automatic projectile feed mechanism. A second module contains further portions of the projectile feed mechanism. A standby member disposed to the rear of a projectile transporter of the feed mechanism is displaceably guided and can be disposed in a transfer position parallel to a charger disposed on a free end of a projectile transfer arm of the first module. A third module is provided and is embodied as a munitions magazine in which are stored upright projectiles that are adapted to be grasped via a projectile transporter and, accompanied by rotation and alignment, are conveyed via the standby member and charger into a region at the rear of the end of the weapon and to be raised into a loading position. At least one fourth module forms the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: The device for forwarding large-caliber shells to a heavy weapon, especially in an armored howitzer, wherein the shells are laid in a readiness tray that can be displaced horizontally along a forwarding path and the mechanism on the readiness tray axially brakes and fixes any shell laid therein. A shell support supports the shell in the vicinity of its ogive. The shell support is mounted on a supporting-lever rod in the form of an articulated-lever system that can be lowered against the force of a spring. The system's descent can be blocked by a locking mechanism. The blocking mechanism is provided with a pawl at one end of the system's second supporting lever. The pawl engages a notched rod that can be raised and lowered. The upward and downward motions of the rod are controlled by a skate that travels over a control strip while the tray is being displaced. The strip is positioned stationary below the tray.

Abstract: The device for forwarding large-caliber shells to a heavy weapon, especially in an armored howitzer, wherein the shells are laid in a readiness tray that can be displaced horizontally along a forwarding path and the mechanism on the readiness tray axially brakes and fixes any shell laid therein. A shell support supports the shell in the vicinity of its ogive. The shell support is mounted on a supporting-lever rod in the form of an articulated-lever system that can be lowered against the force of a spring. The system's descent can be blocked by a locking mechanism. The blocking mechanism is provided with a pawl at one end of the system's second supporting lever. The pawl engages a notched rod that can be raised and lowered. The upward and downward motions of the rod are controlled by a skate that travels over a control strip while the tray is being displaced. The strip is positioned stationary below the tray.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a fuse in the tip of a large-caliber projectile without actually touching it. The device is provided with a programming station that has an annular or cylindrical programming coil mounted on it coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the resting projectile and communicating with electric controls. The tip of the projectile extends into the coil at least while the fuse is being adjusted. The programming coil slides back and forth axially paralleling the resting projectile relative to the programming station. A Y shaped grip that secures the projectile is positioned facing the side of the coil toward the projectile. The grip is shaped to accommodate the tip of the projectile. The grip moves along with and axially parallels the coil. The tip of the projectile fixes the projectile grip when it is accommodated therein.

Abstract: An ammunition positioner for upright ammunition shells has an arm mounted on a base, capable of being extended parallel to the plane that the shell stands on. The positioner has a pincher-like pickup with two jaws that pivots parallel to that plane. The pickup and its jaws are both controlled by a motor that is secured to the base. The motor's output wheel is coupled to the intake wheel of a transmission by way of a rotating splined shaft and a hollow shaft. The splined shaft is mounted in the base and parallel to the positioning arm. The hollow shaft is coaxial with the splined shaft and is mounted in and parallel to the positioning arm. A sleeve travels back and forth on the splined shaft and couples the hollow shaft to the splined shaft such that the former will rotate along with the latter. The transmission has two cogwheels, one of which is always coupled to the intake wheel and the other of which is coupled to and can be uncoupled from the intake wheel by a gear that can be disengaged.

Abstract: A mounting for an ammunition container for mounted rapid-fire weapons comprising a yoke disposed on a bracket which yoke is pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed at about the level of the upper edge of the ammunition container to be contained therein, the yoke being secured at its lowermost position by a catch means. Disclosed in the application is such a mounting in which means are provided to urge an ammunition container toward a rapid-fire weapon. Means are also provided to dispose the ammunition container precisely within the mounting, to rapidly remove any container top so as to permit the rapid feed of ammunition into the weapon. A device for insuring that the yoke bears against the ammunition is provided by which inadvertent release of the same is precluded.