Abstract: In e.g. a projectile launcher, an arresting sleeve (12) absorbs energy by deformation, which is necessary to arrest a piston (15) from which a counter-mass or a projectile is ejected. The counter-mass (17) should be dispersed as rapidly as possible on exit, in order not to endanger those in the vicinity of the gunner. According to the invention the arresting sleeve (12) has annular peripheral grooves (13,14) on its outer face and also on its inner face of equilateral triangular cross-section, and the piston (15) has a cartridge (16) holding the counter-mass (17), which at its forward end has a greater wall thickness than at its rearward end.

Abstract: An apparatus for recoilless firing of projectiles from a launching tube comprises within the launching tube a forward brake ring, a forward sabot, a propellant charge with an ignition element or screw, a rear sabot, a counter-mass, and a rear brake ring, arranged within the launching tube in the sequence listed. Upon ignition of the propellant charge, high acceleration forces are created by the ensuing high peak pressures, which consequently requires a robust construction. In order to avoid this drawback, according to the invention the aforementioned disadvantage can be eliminated by using a propellant charge comprising a first cylindrical propellant charge body and a second annular propellant charge body which surrounds this first cylindrical propellant charge body.