Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The obturator includes an annular ring that is fabricated from a high-temperature resistant composite material. The annular ring has an inner surface that is in contact with the projectile. In addition, when the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, an outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. When the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, the radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between an outer surface of the projectile and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point. This configuration restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile as the projectile is fired from the gun barrel.

Abstract: A ramming brake is provided for use with a projectile launched from the barrel of a gun having a tapered portion. The ramming brake includes a braking ring that has a tapered surface configured to wedge into a tapered portion of the gun barrel. In a particular configuration, the braking ring wedges in the tapered breach of the gun barrel. The ramming brake further includes a retaining mechanism that is used to couple the braking ring to the projectile. This retaining mechanism restrains and controls the movement of the projectile after the braking ring wedges into the tapered portion of the barrel.