Abstract: A ramming brake is provided for use with a projectile launched from the barrel of a gun having a tapered portion. The ramming brake includes a braking ring that has a tapered surface configured to wedge into a tapered portion of the gun barrel. In a particular configuration, the braking ring wedges in the tapered breach of the gun barrel. The ramming brake further includes a retaining mechanism that is used to couple the braking ring to the projectile. This retaining mechanism restrains and controls the movement of the projectile after the braking ring wedges into the tapered portion of the barrel.

Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The projectile has a mid-body annular groove that includes a shaped surface. The obturator includes an annular ring having an inner surface in contact with the shaped surface of the annular groove of the projectile. The annular ring further includes an outer surface. When the projectile is in the gun barrel, the outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. The radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between the shaped surface of the annular groove and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point when the projectile is positioned in the barrel. This feature restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile when the projectile is launched from the gun barrel.

Abstract: An interlock grate structure is provided which includes longitudinal load bearing span bars having lateral locating slots spaced therealong for receiving transverse tie bars and transverse tie bars having axial locking means which engage the longitudinal span bar at the point of juncture and prevent axial displacement of the tie bar relative to the span bar. A longitudinal interlock member serves to interlock the position of the transverse tie bar locking means with respect to the longitudinal span bar and in some instances provides added structural support.