Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic loader for an armored vehicle having a rotatable turret adapted to feed vertically stored projectiles from a storage magazine into the loading chamber of a large caliber weapon from which it can be inserted into the gun barrel by means of a rammer. The arrangement of the invention provides a rapid transporting of the vertically stored ammunition from a space saving storage position to a loaded ready to fire position.The automatic loader of the invention includes an automatically driven endless ammunition magazine at least partially mounted within the outer elevation a of the turret and within the inner elevation region b of the vehicle trough. This magazine is separated from the personnel chamber of the armored vehicle by means of armored walls and includes a loading tray which is connected to a feeder for pivotally transporting a vertically stored projectile into a loading position from which it can be slid into the gun barrel of the weapon by means of the rammer.

Abstract: On a device for feeding shell ammunition within an armored vehicle (1) featuring a rotatable turret (3) with a shield (4) rising on it as a bearing for a weapon carrier (8) which carries sideways its shell magazine fashioned as a container (11, 11') there is provided, inside a vehicle (1), a horizontally extending container switching chute (12) within which there are located two container reloading stations (13, 13') which are so arranged, below openings (14, 14') in the ceiling armor (5), that they will be in alignment with two container shoes (15, 15') fitted to both sides of the weapon support (8), in an angular position of the turret (3) coinciding with an index position and at an elevation angle coinciding with an index position. The space between container reloading station and container shoe is being bridged by transport facilities (16). Two containers (11, 11') can be arranged on the two sides of the weapon support (8) in a detachably lockable and ejectable manner.

Abstract: An improved drum magazine for large caliber ammunition. The drum magazine has a peripheral cover in which a plurality of extracting openings are disposed. An extraction mechanism is adapted to extract via the extraction opening the radially outermost of a plurality of juxtaposed cartridges radially arranged in each ammunition chamber of a plurality of ammunition chambers exchangeably mounted in said drum magazine. The ammunition chambers are independently exchangeably mounted in the drum magazine. Each ammunition chamber defines a storage space for storing a plurality of radially juxtaposed cartridges therein.

Abstract: A turret is movable in azimuth within a turret support structure and a large caliber cannon is movable in elevation within the turret. An automatic loading mechanism is contained within the turret operating to move fixed ammunition rounds between a turret mounted magazine and the cannon breech. The magazine in one embodiment includes a rotating carousel and a number of rotatable drums mounted thereon. The drums have storage cells for ammunition rounds. A transfer mechanism operates to move the rounds between a transfer position to which each of the cells may be indexed and a loading position aligned with the breech when the cannon is positioned substantially at zero elevation. The transfer mechanism performs magazine load and misfire transfer functions as well. A guide tube is provided, movable between a position aligned with the breech and an out-of-the-way position, for directing spent round cases from the turret upon being ejected from the breech after firing.

Abstract: A weapons system including a mortar and a vehicle. The vehicle has a body including a side wall having a region constructed for receiving the mortar. A mounting device is connected with the vehicle for mounting the mortar for movement between a traveling position in which the mortar is positioned to travel with the vehicle and a firing position in which the mortar is positioned to fire a projectile. The traveling position is delimited by the region provided in the side wall for receiving the mortar and the firing position is located on the ground in the vicinity of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cannon-support mechanism that includes means for loading rds of ammunition into the firing chamber of the cannon. An upright hollow strut or arm has a swingable connection with a rotary firing chamber mechanism such that individual rounds of ammunition can be transferred from a support vehicle directly through the hollow strut into the cannon firing chamber. The hollow strut is raisable or lowerable in the direction of its length, whereby the ammunition transfer function can be carried out with the cannon in a range of different elevations relative to the roof area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A muzzle loading mortar constructed for mounting on a protected enclosure, for example, an armored vehicle. The mortar includes a mortar tube having an open end for receiving and discharging a projectile, and mounting means, including a tube cradle connected with a recoil-return means, are provided for mounting the tube on the enclosure. The recoil-return means includes a hydraulic member which cooperates with a spring for reducing the forces introduced into the enclosure during development of a shot from the mortar. A loading means is mounted for relative movement between the open end of the tube and the protected enclosure for muzzle loading the open end of the tube with a projectile. The loading means can be operated from within the protected enclosure to load a projectile into the mortar tube.

Abstract: A turret is movable in azimuth within a turret support structure and a large caliber cannon is movable in elevation within the turret. A turret ammunition handling system includes an automatic loading mechanism for fixed ammunition cartridges configured with stub cases. The system is configured to move the ammunition cartridges between a turret mounted magazine and the cannon breech at the existing elevation of the cannon. The magazine is movable within the turret and has a plurality of cartridge storage cells therein. A stub case ejection container is movable between a position behind the breech opening, where it accepts ejected cartridge stub cases from the breech, and a position extending through a hatch in the gun mantlet, whereupon the stub case is discharged from the turret. Misfired rounds may be removed from the turret and cartridges may be on-loaded and off-loaded from the turret by the automatic loading mechanism.

Abstract: The armored vehicle comprises on or in its armored body, a revolving turret and a shieldplate mounted thereon as a bearing for a gun carrier which carries a cartridge magazine designed as a container located laterally (to the left and/or right) or at the top or bottom or behind the gun carrier. The armored body has a closable opening therein, and a horizontal container slideway with a container reloading station is located within the armored body. At an indexed rotational position of the turret and simultaneously at a vertical indexed angular position of the gun carrier an empty container can be guided with the aid of a conveyor downward through the opening into the container reloading station and can be removed then by a loaded container moving up. The loaded container can then be brought by the conveyor upward into the locking position at the gun carrier.

Abstract: An ammunition handling system for use in a military tank to provide for sage of individual ammunition rounds and automatic transfer thereof to the tank main gun when necessary. The rounds are stored in protected positions within the hull remote from the gun. Transfer of individual rounds to the gun is effected through a rotary carousel located beneath the tank basket. The carousel moves independently of the basket to deliver rounds into the basket in any basket position; the gun can be reloaded without returning to a fixed load position.

Abstract: A device for transporting ammunition, especially cartridges and the like, from a fixed magazine to a top-mounted gun is disclosed. The ammunition is brought to a charging position, in which it is substantially coaxial to the axis of bore of the gun, by utilization of a lift mechanism which is swingable about a horizontal axis by being pivotally mounted at one end to a part which is rotatable about the lateral alignment axis of the gun, while the other end of the lift mechanism includes a cartridge holder. The gun itself is adjustable as to elevation and is operatively connectible to an armored dome of a protective armor, with the dome being adapted to rotate about its vertical axis. The ammunition is stored parallel to one another and to the axis of bore of the gun in the fixed magazine beneath the protective armor. The device includes a stand-by magazine locatable between the fixed magazine and the gun, with the stand-by magazine being connectible to the dome at the rear thereof.

Abstract: A feeder for transferring ammunition from a magazine to the loading assem of an elevationally rotatable gun includes a first chute and a second chute. The first chute is pivotally mounted about the magazine. The second chute is articulated between the first chute and the loading assembly. The chutes are sized to provide an internal passage for the ammunition. An endless transfer chain can circulate along an interior path from the magazine through the chutes to drive the ammunition therethrough. This endless transfer chain returns from the interior path to the magazine along a return path. Linkage coupled to the endless transfer chain along its return path can draw it inwardly as the chutes unfold.

Abstract: A loading pendulum is arranged at the rear of one side of a firearm suspended in an elevating mass. The loading pendulum has two arms which can be swung in the traversing direction of the firearm, the first ends of which are supported for co-ordinated driving by means of drive shafts (13, 14) which are parallel to each other and, when the pendulum adjusts itself to the angle of elevation or depression of the firearm extend at right angles to said traversing plane, and second ends support a loading tray (10) in supporting shafts (15, 16) also at right angles to the traversing plane when the pendulum adjusts itself to the angle of elevation or depression of the firearm.

Abstract: A gun mount having a gun cover or shield contains a gun which may be directed in both azimuth and elevation. An ammunition storage space is disposed below the gun mount. Ammunition components are combined in the storage space to provide an ammunition round with the long axis of the round substantially vertical. The barrel of the gun is elevated to the 90.degree. or vertical position and when the breech block is opened the vertically disposed ammunition round is hoisted directed into the open breech. The round is latched in the breech while the hoisting mechanism is withdrawn and the breech is closed. Thereafter the gun may be depressed to a desired firing elevation and the round fired. The gun is then positioned at a predetermined intermediate elevation angle so that the gun breech is adjacent to a door in the gun cover which is controlled between open and closed positions. The breech is opened, the door is opened and the empty propellant case from the fired round is ejected through the open door.

Abstract: A device for automatic transfer of rounds of ammunition is utilized for a large-calibre firearm, for instance for ships or the like. The firearm comprises a magazine arranged on its elevating mass, and the firearm is set at a predetermined elevation at the loading of the magazine. Rounds are conveyed from an ammunition store via the underside of the mounting to the top of the mounting. A laterally displaceable cassette is arranged to receive rounds fed to it in an infeed position, and in an outfeed position to transfer rounds to the magazine when this has assumed the loading position. For the transfer of rounds from the cassette to the magazine of the firearm the potential energy of the rounds is utilized, so that no special transferring means working in the magazine need be utilized for this transfer.

Abstract: A combat vehicle, for instance in the form of a tank, comprises a large-caliber firearm of 100 mm or more. The firearm is provided with an automatic loading device for separate-loading ammunition. Outside of the combat vehicle a magazine is arranged for holding charges, and inside the vehicle a crew position is permitting vision around the horizon. The vehicle is moreover made with a small frontal area.

Abstract: A military tank having a turret, a gun mounted in the forward portion of turret, and ammunition storage magazines in the rear portion of the turret. A loader is arranged within the turret in alignment with the gun to transfer individual rounds of ammunition from the magazine area into the gun. The arrangement provides a compact storage system capable of storing a relatively large number of rounds in a given height turret.

Abstract: A turret assembly, particularly for an armoured vehicle, comprises a rotating turret provided with side members projecting upwardly. The side members straddle a large caliber gun and include bearing means defining an elevation axis for the gun. The gun has a shield which cooperates with the side members to define a protective passage for a gun loading conveyor. The conveyor is adapted to carry shells one at a time from a loading station inside the turret to a location inside the shield. Each shell in turn is rammed into the gun after it has been carried by the conveyor into the shield.

Abstract: A self-propelled gun is provided with a magazine arranged on the outside of or in the gun chassis which is then also located at the rear parts of the chassis. The gun is mounted on top of the chassis, so that the gun can be aimed in elevation and/or traverse in relation to the gun chassis. A round carrying part which is arranged in front of the magazine and under the rear parts of the gun is comprised in a device for feeding of ammunition from the magazine to the ramming position at the gun. Said device also comprises a longitudinal displacement mechanism arranged in the magazine for the respective rounds. When the respective rounds are received from the magazine, the round carrying part is set with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the respective round and particularly coinciding with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun.

Abstract: At an armored vehicle containing a firing weapon, such as for instance a cannon, there is required an automatic loading apparatus, by means of which the rounds of ammunition or projectiles can be automatically infed to the firing weapon from an ammunition magazine arranged behind an armored turret of the armored vehicle. The loading apparatus removes the projectiles from two different containers. This loading apparatus comprises two withdrawal or removal devices, two pivot devices, a rotatable table containing two cartridge receiving locations or stations as well as an ammunition infeed device. This ammunition device comprises a lifting or hoisting device, a loading cradle or shell and a rammer.

Abstract: A device for feeding of ammunition, particularly cartridges, by use of an elevator and tubular cartridge receiver for the ammunition, i.e. cartridges, especially for armored vehicles, from an ammunition magazine positioned below a platform. The platform is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to a top mounted gun with zero elevation and positioned on the platform. The elevator is secured at the underside of the platform and includes a tubular cartridge receiver associated with a spring-biased centering mechanism which extends into the free cross-sectional area of the cartridge receiver, and at least one spring-biased holder for the cartridges movable vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge receiver. The cartridges, are stored vertically relative to the axis of the bore of the gun in the magazine therefor as well as is also being secured to the platform underside so that the same can be elevated to a point above the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly feeding an artillery weapon with ammunition, comprising a conveyor assembly removably attached to a lower carriage of the weapon and including an adjustable connection which compensates for elevational and transverse movements of the firearm to maintain rapid loading thereof.

Abstract: An improved low-profile turret for a large-calibre tank-mounted firearm includes a support for operating personnel and a box-shaped structure which permits the turret to blend into the upper surface of the tank. An improved loading pendulum is also disclosed.

Abstract: A firearm of the type which loads from the bottom of the recoil jacket includes protective doors opened by the loading mechanism as it rises into ramming position. One pair of doors is mounted in the recoil jacket and another is mounted on the barrel at a different height from the first, so that the doors slide along one another when the firearm recoils.

Abstract: A loading pendulum picks up an ammunition round from a magazine fixed to a tank body, traverses around the tank to the position of the tank gun, raises the round into the recoil housing of the gun and, following ramming returns to the magazine for the next round.

Abstract: A plurality of rounds of ammunition are fed simultaneously by the invention which includes a plurality of hoists feeding a plurality of compartments located in a magazine mounted on the elevating part of a gun. Rapid loading in synchronism with firing is thus achieved. A method of loading a compartmented magazine is taught.

Abstract: A device for a magazine comprises a number of tubular containers which are arranged in an endless chain, intended to contain rounds, and provided with blocking members for fixing the respective rounds in the longitudinal direction in the containers, driving devices for driving the containers around in the magazine, and a releasing device which in a common feed-out position for the rounds in the magazine can coact with the blocking members of the containers.

Abstract: A round is rapidly transferred from a magazine, located at a fixed position on the chassis of a tank, to a ramming position adjacent a traversable firearm mounted in a turret on the tank, by use of a loading trough which is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder to transport a round from the magazine to a round cradle. The round cradle is rotatable about an axis extending at right angles to the traversing plane of the firearm, is located in a predetermined feeding position relative to the magazine for receiving the round delivered by the loading trough, is thereafter rotated through an angle to orient the cradle and round thereon to a position coinciding with the prevailing traverse position of the firearm, whereafter gripping members are activated to move the round from the cradle to the ramming position adjacent the firearm.

Abstract: Apparatus for the loading of rounds of ammunition from a magazine into the barrel of a firearm, particularly a firearm supported on a tank. The firearm is movable in elevation about a first axis, and a pendulum-like member is provided which is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the axis about which the barrel rotates. The pendulum-like member is also movable translationally along the axis about which it rotates. Apparatus is provided for rotating the pendulum-like member about the axis of rotation between first and second angular positions, and further apparatus is provided for translationally moving the pendulum-like member along its rotational axis between predetermined spaced locations. To transfer a round of ammunition to the pendulum-like member from a magazine, the member is translationally moved along the axis and also rotated about the axis so as to be disposed adjacent the magazine, thereby making possible the transfer of an ammunition round into the member.