Abstract: A semi-articulated stiff-in-plane (SASTIP) rotor hub is provided. The hub includes a cylindrical composite shell (12). A plurality of flexure mount assemblies (16) are positioned around the periphery of the hub shell. Each flexure mount assembly includes both an upper and a lower flexure (64), (66). The outboard ends of the upper and lower flexures attach to an outboard bearing support (34). The inboard end of each flexure is maintained within first and second clamp plates (76), (78) that are mounted within hub flexure openings (38), (40). The flexure clamp plates (76), (78) additionally attach circumferentially to annular CF rings (24), (26), (28), (30) positioned within the hub shell. A blade shaft (14) extends through the outboard bearing (72) and connects to a spindle. The spindle is supported by a spherical bearing that is mounted within the hub shell (12) at a circular spindle hole.

Abstract: A heavy support weapon, for example, of 30 mm caliber, designed for firing from conventional machine gun mounts without undue recoil loads transferred to the gun mount. The weapon is designed for first round accuracy whether in the automatic open bolt or semi-automatic closed bolt mode. The weapon 10 includes a barrel 13 joined to a barrel yoke 21 in a receiver 14 aft of a front housing assembly 15. The recoil system includes a main recoil spring 30, a secondary spring 23, a buffer group including rods 60, springs 61 and plate 63. A slide bolt assembly 40 includes a slide 41, a bolt 42, a face 43, bolt face levers 44 and actuating pins 45, all within the receiver 14. The bolt face 43 is driven vertically by the bolt face levers 44 to receive a new round, load it and remove and discharge a spent casing. The slide bolt assembly 40 travels forward and aft during the firing cycle.

Abstract: A linkage is provided between various components within the feed mechanism of an automated gun which allows a feed cover, which includes some of the components of the feed mechanism, to be opened relative to other elements within the feed mechanism in order to allow access or changing of ammunition within the feed mechanism without unlinking the various feed mechanism components. Feed mechanism components within the gun are linked to other feed mechanism components within the rotatable feed cover by means of a ball and bracket combination. The feed cover rotates about a pivot pin on a predetermined axis. The bracket, through which the motive power supplied to the components of the feed mechanism and the feed cover is disposed to lie on and is rotatable about the predetermined axis defined by the pivot pin.

Abstract: A machine gun ammunition loading system employs cantilevered support memb on a magazine holding a leading round of belted ammunition supported above a cover of the magazine. The cover of the magazine includes mating parts which permit sliding engagement below the machine gun. When fully mated, the cantilevered members, with the leading round between them, are inserted into the receiver in a loading position from whence charging can be performed by single-handed motion of an operator while upright and walking.

Abstract: A belt-fed automatic weapon includes a retainer for holding one or more of he leading rounds on the belt exposed external to the magazine in a position where they can be picked up and automatically fed into the automatic weapon by a feed sprocket in the automatic weapon during insertion of the magazine into the weapon. This permits one-hand loading by an erect walking operator whose second hand is occupied supporting the weapon. A belt guide at the exit of the magazine prevents jamming of linked rounds when the weapon is fired upside down or on its sides.