Abstract: A primer and tool holder is configured for mounting on an artillery piece a coupling which projects at a downward angle from the holder and is received in a trunnion mount tunnel on the artillery piece. The coupling has a wedge lock which is received in the tunnel and is secured by a wedge lock expanded by advancing a cam. An primer carrier or tray having a plurality of holes therein stores individual primers in the holes with the ends of the primers being readily accessible to the artilleryman. The base has a plurality of storage tubes fixed thereto for receiving tools such as a spit-hole brush, a vent hole reamer, a primer chamber brush and a spit-hole drill. The base also has a cam latch proximate the lower end thereof for fastening the lower end of the primer and tool holder to a drain hole. An alternate embodiment includes straight walled through holes drilled at a 10.degree.-15.degree. angle above horizontal to retain the primers.

Abstract: To mitigate groove drag in a kinetic energy projectile, an intumescent maial is inserted in the grooves wherein the material will expand to fill the grooves once the sabot has been discarded. The groove material inhibits aerodynamic recirculation that can occur in the grooves, fills the groove and keeps out freestream gasses. The expanding groove material occupies the space previously filled by the sabot tooth. The groove-filling material expands quickly, because the flight of the projectile is typically on the order of one to two seconds. The groove filling material may also be an elastic material.