Abstract: To seal a pipe mortar, a sealing element (3, 6) is inserted between the pipe (1) and the base (2), with the element elastically balancing out the axial relative movements between the pipe (1) and the base (2). The sealing element (3) is preferably prestressed, with the gas pressure supporting the sealing effect. The sealing element (3, 6) can be a U-shaped or L-shaped steel ring. In the U-shaped sealing element (3), the legs (3.1) are axially prestressed to the extent that the sealing ring (3) and the pipe (1) or the base (2) are pressed together to produce an adequate seal. In the L-shaped sealing element (6), the inside leg (6.1) produces the gas-tight connection when the pipe (1) and the base (2) are screwed together. A sealing lips (6.2) of the sealing ring (6) elastically absorbs changes in length between the pipe and the base that occur during firing.

Abstract: To seal a pipe mortar, a sealing element (3, 6) is inserted between the pipe (1) and the base (2), with the element elastically balancing out the axial relative movements between the pipe (1) and the base (2). The sealing element (3) is preferably prestressed, with the gas pressure supporting the sealing effect. The sealing element (3, 6) can be a U-shaped or L-shaped steel ring. In the U-shaped sealing element (3), the legs (3.1) are axially prestressed to the extent that the sealing ring (3) and the pipe (1) or the base (2) are pressed together to produce an adequate seal. In the L-shaped sealing element (6), the inside leg (6.1) produces the gas-tight connection when the pipe (1) and the base (2) are screwed together. A sealing lips (6.2) of the sealing ring (6) elastically absorbs changes in length between the pipe and the base that occur during firing.

Abstract: A firing system for a large-caliber weapon includes a firing pin displaceable into a position of rest, an armed position and a firing position; a spring urging the firing pin into the firing position; a follower affixed to the firing pin; and a rotatably supported control cam having a cam track. The spring urges the follower toward the cam track. The cam track has first, second and third consecutive cam track portions. The first cam track portion is shaped such that upon rotation of the control cam the firing pin is moved into the armed position by a cooperation between the follower and the first cam track portion. The second cam track portion is shaped such that upon continuing rotation of the control cam the firing pin is allowed to be accelerated by the spring into the firing position.

Abstract: A redundant ammunition flow device for supplying divided, large caliber ammunition to a loading tray of a gun mounted on a turret of a vehicle for adjustment in elevation about a trunnion includes at least two magazines disposed in the vehicle chassis. Each magazine is a closed loop and includes a plurality of first holders that accommodate in an upright position either a projectile or a propelling charge column which make of the ammunition. A guide formed of a ring segment is fixed to the chassis concentric with the turret rotation axis. Two ammunition transporters are mounted for displacement on the guide to receive at a respective transfer position either a projectile or a propelling charge column from the first holders. Each transporter includes a rotary arm carrying a feed arm supporting second holders for holding a projectile or a propelling charge column.

Abstract: An improved gun barrel in a tank cannon assembly having a recoiling mass is described. This gun barrel has an increased target impact precision by virtue of stabilizing the bending oscillations and/or vibrations during firing, thereby making the jump angle more uniform from one firing to the next one. The L/D ratio of the gun barrel is larger than 52 (where L represents the length of the gun barrel and D represents the caliber diameter). The gun barrel jacket has a frusto-conically shaped portion extending from the muzzle towards the rear of the gun barrel which is adjoined by a cylindrically shaped portion. The gun barrel is supported on a cradle along the latter portion. The gun barrel exhibits a continuous unbuckled bending line in its static and dynamic conditions between its muzzle and the cylindrical jacket portion. The frusto-conically shaped and cylindrically shaped portions merge into each other and have identical diameters along their merging line.

Abstract: An improved self-propelled vehicle used for transporting ammunition. Ammunition is moved by a motor driven conveyor having elevating means for selectively vertically moving ammunition units stored in the vehicle.

Abstract: A weapon having a gun barrel and a gun elevating mechanism and a gun traversing mechanism respectively operatively connected to said gun barrel. A separate fully automatic loading mechanism also is operatively connected to said gun barrel. This gun barrel is to be maintained during the loading process by the gun elevating mechanism into an index position which is continuously attainable in the same short time period.This object is achieved by having the gun elevating and gun traversing mechanisms provided with a common locking arrangement whereby the gun barrel disposed in the gun elevating mechanism is precisely held in an index position during loading. The locking is effected by means of a drive and brake unit which is mounted on the gun traversing mechanism. A claw is rotated by the brake and drive unit and is adapted to selectively clamp a bolt secured to the gun barrel when it is in a position corresponding to the required index position for loading.