Abstract: It is proposed that a loading chamber of a weapon with a breech mechanism no longer be part of a cannon tube but rather that it form, together with a breechblock, a unit, which additionally contains a device for firing ammunition and which can move relative to the bore portion of the cannon tube. This design solution can be used in all weapons with various and different breech mechanisms.

Abstract: A cartridge having a propellant-charge casing (2) and an electrothermal ignition device (4), in which the propellant-charge casing (2) is connected to a metal casing base (3) and a contact piece (5) that is connected to a contact disk (9) is provided for the connection to a gun-side high-voltage electrode (22. To assure an automatic operation of corresponding weapons systems, during use of such cartridges, the contact piece (5) is formed such that it does not protrude past the outside surface (27) of the floor piece (7) on the outside, and on the inside, the contact piece forms the contact disk (9), which is supported over a large surface area against the propellant-charge casing (2) by a relatively thin-walled insulator (15) that is formed as a casing base.

Abstract: A cartridge having a propellant-charge casing (2) and an electrothermal ignition device (4), in which the propellant-charge casing (2) is connected to a metal casing base (3) and a contact piece (5) that is connected to a contact disk (9) is provided for the connection to a gun-side high-voltage electrode (22. To assure an automatic operation of corresponding weapons systems, during use of such cartridges, the contact piece (5) is formed such that it does not protrude past the outside surface (27) of the floor piece (7) on the outside, and on the inside, the contact; piece forms the contact disk (9), which is supported over a large surface area against the propellant-charge casing (2) by a relatively thin-walled insulator (15) that is formed as a casing base.

Abstract: A weapon includes a weapon barrel having a longitudinal axis and a magazine positioned behind the weapon barrel and formed of two spaced, facing partial magazines situated on either side of the barrel axis. Each partial magazine has at least one tier accommodating a series of ammunition in a side-by-side relationship. A loading tray is positioned behind the weapon barrel and between the partial magazines for receiving ammunition therefrom to be loaded by the loading tray into the weapon barrel. A displacing mechanism shifts the ammunition in each tier onto the loading tray. At least two spaced guide rails are positioned in each tier and extend perpendicularly to the barrel axis. Each ammunition has a frontal region, a rearward region and at least two guide portions releasably secured to the ammunition in the frontal and rearward regions, respectively. The guide portions engage into respective guide rails.

Abstract: A weapon includes a barrel having a barrel axis and a breech-side end having an end face; a breech ring affixed to the breech-side end; and a catching and ejecting device movable parallel to the barrel axis for immobilizing a rimless cartridge case in and extracting the cartridge case from the barrel. The catching and ejecting device has a pivotally supported ejector; an extractor claw mounted at an end of the ejector and arranged for engaging into an ejector groove of the cartridge case; a spring biasing the ejector for urging the extractor claw generally radially inwardly; and a guide member mounted on an end of the ejector for contacting the cartridge case during cartridge feed into the barrel whereby the ejector and the extractor claw are pivoted against a force of the spring for maintaining the extractor claw out of contact with the cartridge case.