Abstract: A hybrid gun for launching a projectile by a combined propulsion effect of a chemical propellant and electrothermal energy. The gun comprises a breech-associated electrothermal propulsion energy injector having a plasma beam generator and a tubular chamber holding a light working fluid that during the travel of the projectile in the barrel produces at the rear of the projectile a light gaseous buffer zone. Optionally the gun may have in addition one or more electrothermal propulsion energy injectors mounted on the barrel.There is also provided ammunition for use with a hybrid gun having a chemical propellant holding cartridge designed for ignition by working fluid injected by the breech associated electrothermal propulsion energy injector.

Abstract: A gun for accelerating projectiles in which the travelling chemical charges are ignited by electrothermal energy sources. By one mode there are provided electrothermal energy injectors along the gun barrel which are fired synchronously with the displacement of the projectile within the barrel, each such injector igniting a distinct chemical propellant charge attached to the projectile. Essentially that mode of the gun operates by the travelling charge principle in which the boosting of the thrust on the projectile is brought about by successively ignited propellant charges attached to the projectile itself while the electrothermal energy injectors on the barrel serve for ignition only.By an alternative mode a plasma injector unit is mounted at the rear of the gun coaxially with the barrel and the injected plasma acts via fluid to initiate the chemical propellant and enhances the chemical propellant burning rate to improve the gun performance.