Abstract: There is disclosed a field gun that may be converted between a firing condition and a travelling condition. In the firing condition, front legs and back legs rest on the ground and support the gun. In the travelling condition, the back legs are out of contact with the ground and the front legs are retracted towards the gun chassis. To facilitate conversion, a link joins a front leg to a back leg so that as the back leg is lifted off the ground, the front leg is retracted.

Abstract: A field gun comprising: a chassis, a barrel defining a barrel axis and having a traverse range and an elevation range, a cradle supporting the barrel, a joint for enabling pivoting in at least two axes, the joint connecting the cradle to the chassis, a first linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a first point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a first point on the cradle, a second linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a second point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a second point on the cradle, such that a first combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the traverse a second combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the elevation.

Abstract: A field gun comprising: a chassis, a barrel defining a barrel axis and having a traverse range and an elevation range, a cradle supporting the barrel, a joint for enabling pivoting in at least two axes, the joint connecting the cradle to the chassis, a first linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a first point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a first point on the cradle, a second linear actuator, extensible along a first linear actuator axis, pivotally attached to a second point on the chassis and pivotally attached to a second point on the cradle, such that a first combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the traverse a second combination of first linear actuator and second linear actuator actuation varies the elevation.

Abstract: A light weight field howitzer includes a barrel which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing secured to a chassis. The trunnion bearing lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilisers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades are rigidly secured to the chassis. The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating means is provided comprising a geared manual means assisted by a precompressed gas system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a field gun that may be converted between a firing condition and a travelling condition. In the firing condition, front legs and back legs rest on the ground and support the gun. In the travelling condition, the back legs are out of contact with the ground and the front legs are retracted towards the gun chassis. To facilitate conversion, a link joins a front leg to a back leg so that as the back leg is lifted off the ground, the front leg is retracted.

Abstract: A towed howitzer interchangeable between a travelling mode and a firing mode, the towed howitzer being suitable for deployment on a ground plane, the towed howitzer comprising: a barrel for firing a projectile, the barrel defining a barrel axis; a cradle for holding the barrel at an azimuth and an elevation; a means for varying the elevation and the azimuth of the barrel; a front leg for supporting the aiming means comprising a wheel intended for contacting the ground at a foremost ground contact point; a suspension mechanism for resiliently mounting the wheel a restraining means for selectively enabling the suspension; and a back leg for contacting the ground at a backmost ground contact point the back leg comprising a hinging for swinging the back leg out of contact with the round.

Abstract: A gun comprising: a generally tubular barrel defining a barrel axis and having an external barrel surface about the perimeter of the tubular barrel a cradle having a cradle bore for accommodating a section of the barrel wherein the barrel is slidably mounted in the cradle bore such that the barrel can move relative to the cradle along the barrel axis across a range of barrel positions and wherein an interface defined by the slidable contact between external barrel surface and the cradle bore—i) prevents rotation of the barrel relative to the cradle about the barrel axis; and ii) is maintained at a single section of the cradle over the entire range of barrel positions.

Abstract: A howitzer suitable for deployment on a ground plane, the howitzer comprising a barrel for firing a projectile, the barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech towards the back end of the howitzer; a cradle for holding the barrel at an azimuth and an elevation; a recoil accommodating mechanism such that the barrel can move along the barrel axis relative to the cradle; a bearing for varying the azimuth of the cannon; and a linkage for varying the elevation of the bearing.

Abstract: Improvements in or relating to field howitzers A light weight field howitzer includes a barrel which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing secured to a chassis. The trunnion bearing lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilisers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades are rigidly secured to the chassis. The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating means is provided comprising a geared manual means assisted by a precompressed gas system.

Abstract: A light weight field howitzer includes a barrel (101) which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members (119,119A) and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing (113) secured to a chassis (117). The trunnion bearing (113) lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilizers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades are rigidly secured to the chassis (117). The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement (136,177,185,130,189,119) constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating means is provided comprising a geared manual means (115,116,153,149,139) assisted by a precompressed gas system (114,119A).

Abstract: A drive device for the breech mechanism of a gun comprises driving and driven members connected to first and second elements, respectively wherein one of the elements is movable with respect to the other. The driven and driving members are separable as the elements move apart and re-engage as the elements come together. The connections between the members and elements permit the driving and driven members to execute a rotary motion about a common axis when the members are engaged together whereby energy is transferred from the driving member to the driven member.