Abstract: Two stage shell feeding apparatus for a reciprocating bolt-type automatic cannon or gun, comprises a first stage shell rotor, having a plurality of shell cavities, rotatably mounted between a shell supply and a cannon shell pick up position, such that when a shell in one of the rotor cavities is in the shell pick up position, an empty rotor cavity is in shell receiving relationship with the shell supply. After firing of the cannon and while the bolt is recoiling rearwardly, barrel gas operated actuating means cause rapid partial rotation of the rotor to index a rotor carried shell into the pick up position. A spring actuated, second stage shell advancing slide is simultaneously cocked to enable subsequent spring powered transferring of a free shell from the shell supply into the aligned rotor cavity during the remainder of the firing cycle. Shell accelerator means are provided to cause shell acceleration before bolt pick up impact.

Abstract: Cradle apparatus for mounting an automatic cannon to an elevationally rotatable plate positioned at an exterior region of a weapons system turret or cupola includes an elongate, rigid, box-like cradle and first, second and third universal ball connections, arranged in a generally triangular configuration, for mounting the cradle to the rotatable plate. Each of the connections includes cradle portions fixed to the cradle and plate portions fixed to the plate. The first, uppermost connection includes means for releasably latching together the cradle and plate portions thereof; whereas, the second and third, lower connections define a cradle hinge line about which the cradle is pivotable between open and closed conditions relative to the plate when the first connection cradle and plate portions are unlatched. Means are provided in the cradle for mounting an automatic cannon in a manner enabling ready access to receiver portions thereof when the cradle is in the open condition.

Abstract: Dual shell feeding apparatus for automatic guns having two shell supplies adapted for holding different types of shells, comprises a shell feeding rotor formed with first and second sets of three peripheral shell holding cavities each, the cavities being arranged in alternating relationship at 60.degree. intervals. The rotor is rotatably mounted between the two shell supplies and a shell pick up position of the gun in a manner causing, when one of the shell holding cavities of either cavity set is in the shell pick up position, another cavity of the same cavity set is in shell receiving relationship with the corresponding one of the shell supplies, shells being fed from one of the supplies by one of the rotor cavity sets when the rotor is selectively rotated in one direction and from the other supply by the other cavity set when the rotor is selectively rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Projectile velocity measurement and communication apparatus comprises a microwave probe fixed to a projectile barrel near a muzzle end. An oscillator, having a reference frequency selected for exciting a fundamental electromagnetic mode in the barrel, is connected to the probe through a hybrid mixer configured for extracting, from moving projectile-reflected microwaves, a true Doppler signal having a varying frequency related to projectile barrel velocity. A processor, connected for receiving the Doppler signal, measures, by a clock oscillator, Doppler signal periods (half periods). A data presorter in the processor selects a last "N" number of period measurements before the projectile reaches an interference position relative to the probe, to be fed to a fire control computer interface for determination therein of projectile barrel and muzzle velocities, calibration means being provided to update barrel diameter values used in such determination.

Abstract: For an automatic cannon, a pneumatic bolt and sear buffer comprises a housing fixed rearwardly of a breech ring, a cylinder, an end plate and a low mass piston projecting forwardly through the cylinder. A pin transversely installed through the piston, into slots in the cylinder and housing, limits relative axial movement between the piston, cylinder and housing. A forward cylinder flange also limits rearward cylinder movement relative to the housing. Pressurization of gas in a pressure chamber defined by the cylinder, piston and end plate is through an end plate valve. A bolt sear is pivotally mounted to a sear bracket extension of the cylinder, forwardly of the piston. After firing, recoil impact of a reciprocating bolt assembly drives the piston rearwardly into the cylinder, and upon bolt searing the cylinder is pulled forwardly relative to the piston; in both cases the buffer gas is further compressed, acting as a massless spring.

Abstract: A programmed shell casing ejector apparatus, for an automatic cannon having an axially reciprocating bolt assembly, includes an ejector member axially slidably mounted to the bolt assembly, a pair of cam tracks symmetrically fixed to a cannon mount, and a corresponding pair of cam track followers pivotally mounted to the bolt assembly to engage the ejector member and, as the bolt assembly recoils, the cam tracks. Ejection through an ejection port of a fired shell casing, held to a bolt face by an extractor, is caused when the ejector member is moved forwardly relative to the recoiling bolt assembly by the cam track followers as the followers move along the cam tracks.

Abstract: An open-framework receiver automatic cannon comprises a cannon barrel and a breech ring mounting the barrel and through opposite sides of which intermediate regions of first and second elongate rigid tubular support members are received, with longitudinal axes thereof parallel to, equally spaced to sides of, and coplanar with, a barrel bore axis. Forward and rearward ends of the support members are respectively interconnected by a barrel support and a detachable recoil buffer which includes a bolt sear. Reciprocating movement of a bolt and a bolt carrier assembly is guided by longitudinal slots in the support members and a plate mounted between the buffer and breech ring. Disposed in the support members are means for driving the bolt assembly forwardly on unsearing; apparatus for causing recoil of the bolt carrier after firing to enable bolt unlocking and inertia means for reducing bolt carrier bounce from the breech ring on forward impact.

Abstract: A percussion type projectile nose fuse includes a generally conical fuse body having a cavity open only to the base thereof. Disposed within the cavity is a firing pin, a sleeve and a ball igniter. A fuse tip portion is defined by a weakened region, open to the fuse body exterior surface, which ruptures upon tip impact with a target, thereby causing at least partial rearward penetration of the tip into the cavity. Upon such tip penetration, the tip severs a flange on the firing pin by driving it against the sleeve, and propells the firing pin rearwardly along the sleeve and into engagement with the ball igniter. By forming the sleeve substantially longer than the length of the firing pin, a time delay before ignition, equal to the firing pin transit time, is provided. A forward opening recess formed in the apex of the tip, with a thin deformable wall thereabout, provides shock absorption so that accidental rupture of the weakened region does not occur during normal handling and loading of the projectile.

Abstract: An elongated, aerodynamically improved ballistic projectile fuse, having an overall fuse length greater than its maximum diameter by a factor of approximately two, includes a lightweight aluminum fuse body having forward and rearward portions and an interiorily disposed firing pin with a shearable flange thereon. A steel sleeve mounted in the fuse body is provided for supporting the firing pin with a head portion thereof forwardly directed and exterior to the sleeve and for guiding the firing pin through the fuse body toward the rearward portion thereof subsequent to impact of the fuse with a target. A cap, enclosing the firing pin head, is configured for collapsing and impacting the head upon fuse impact with a target, thereby causing shearing of the firing pin flange and driving of the firing pin rearwardly toward detonation means disposed within the fuse body rearward portion. The cap is in turn enclosed by a windscreen which provides an aerodynamically streamlined, forward continuation of the fuse body.

Abstract: Anti-bounce apparatus for an automatic cannon reciprocating bolt assembly which includes a bolt, a bolt carrier and bolt mounted locking lugs, comprises means defining engagement surfaces contoured for enabling the forward moving carrier to cam the lugs into bolt locking relationship with a cannon breech at increasing velocity, without bouncing, carrier energy loss being thereby minimized and firing of a chambered shell by a carrier mounted firing pin being assured. Further comprising the anti-bounce apparatus is a plurality of inertially actuated locking collets connected to the bolt carrier for causing, responsive to impact of the carrier with the breech at the instant of firing, frictional locking between the carrier and portions of the cannon fixed to the breech, rearward bouncing of the carrier relative to the locking lugs, with consequent premature or erratic bolt unlocking, being thereby prevented.

Abstract: A method of constructing a welded metal skin boat hull includes forming a framework from transverse and transom frames connected to a margin plate and to a keel and stem assembly, and adjustably bolting to the frames and connecting together, as appropriate, longitudinal and transom stringers, outer surfaces of which are spaced outwardly from frame outer surfaces. Spacing of the longitudinal stringers on the frames divides the hull exterior into narrow longitudinal, non-compound curved regions, corresponding longitudinal hull skin panels being formed from flat sheets to bridge adjacent stringer pairs. Skin panel edges are clamped to corresponding stringers by external fairings adjustably bolted to the stringers, the bottom fairings being shaped as liftstrakes. A transom plate is tackwelded or clamped to the transom stringers. Frames, skin panels and fairings, are adjusted to realign the hull to specifications before welding.

Abstract: Fire control apparatus for an antiaircraft weapons system includes manual means for inputting both estimated roll angles and load (g) factors of a maneuvering target aircraft into a fire control computer. In response to other signals received from conventional target tracking and ranging means, the computer first calculates linearly projected future positions of the target aircraft. Corrections, which may be curvilinear, to these projected positions are then calculated from the inputed estimates of aircraft roll angle and load factor. A fire control commander selectively actuates manual controls to cause the fire control computer to combine this correction with the linearly calculated future positions, a substantially more accurate projection of aircraft-gun projectile intercept positions being thereby provided. Control signals corresponding to these new intercept positions are transmitted from the computer to conventional gun laying means to cause the gun to be aimed at the intercept positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ammunition magazine which may be made of plastic, pre-loaded with ammunition rounds and stored in the loaded condition for extended periods of time without deterioration. A spring motor is mounted on and drives an ammunition follower to urge the ammunition rounds toward the magazine's feed opening, and includes a drive gear which engages a gear rack formed on an interior wall of the magazine housing. The spring motor is disposed in an operationally unstressed condition during storage of the loaded magazine. To ready the magazine for use, a plastic strip having a gear rack formed thereon may be pulled from the bottom of the housing, thereby rotating an energizing gear which winds the spring motor to an operationally stressed condition.