Abstract: A ceramic shell is disclosed. The ceramic shell can be used, for example, in an armor device or system. The ceramic shell includes two or more of an upper portion, a curved portion, and a seat portion. At least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion includes at least one of a first side portion and a second side portion. The at least of one the first side portion and the second side portion extends forward and includes at least one curved surface. The at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion is monolithically connected to at least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion.

Abstract: A ceramic shell is disclosed. The ceramic shell can be used, for example, in an armor device or system. The ceramic shell includes two or more of an upper portion, a curved portion, and a seat portion. At least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion includes at least one of a first side portion and a second side portion. The at least of one the first side portion and the second side portion extends forward and includes at least one curved surface. The at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion is monolithically connected to at least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion.

Abstract: An improvement is made in an externally driven gun having an ammunition feeder capable of providing at least two types of ammunition to the gun by incorporating a gear transmission into the driving mechanism coupled to the ammunition feeder to appropriately control an in-feed sprocket within the ammunition feeder so that the ammunition type can be changed prior to commitment of the previously selected type of ammunition to the firing mechanism of the gun. The gear transmission which is coupled to the in-feed sprocket provides acceleration to the sprocket at the last possible moment prior to handing-off the round to the firing mechanism. In one embodiment the gear transmission includes a cam follower rotatably coupled about an offset axis to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft through a radial slot. The cam follower is rotated by means of a stationary cam race as the follower itself is rotated as a whole by the input shaft.

Abstract: An improvement is made in an externally driven gun having an ammunition feeder capable of providing at least two types of ammunition to the gun by incorporating a gear transmission into the driving mechanism coupled to the ammunition feeder to appropriately control an in-feed sprocket within the ammunition feeder so that the ammunition type can be changed prior to commitment of the previously selected type of ammunition to the firing mechanism of the gun. The gear transmission which is coupled to the in-feed sprocket provides acceleration to the sprocket at the last possible moment prior to handing-off the round to the firing mechanism. In one embodiment the gear transmission includes a cam follower rotatably coupled about an offset axis to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft through a radial slot. The cam follower is rotated by means of a stationary cam race as the follower itself is rotated as a whole by the input shaft.

Abstract: A hangfire protection system for an externally powered gun includes a recoil sensing mechanism cooperating with a sear latching mechanism such that in the event of a hangfire, a sear engages a safety link on the chain drive assembly to keep the bolt locked. If the round fires, gun function continues; if the round does not fire there is a delay of a sufficient time to assure that the round is a dud, and it is ejected. The details of the mechanical hangfire protection system are described.