Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy projectile (1) including a penetrator (2) and a segmented sabot (3) which is provided with a front support (4) and with a second support (5) that is disposed at an axial distance behind the first support, with the second support (5) including a rotationally symmetrical air pocket (6) that faces the first support (4) and the first support (4) is provided with air passage openings (43, 44, 45).In the sabot, the relationship of L/D.gtoreq.1.2 exists between the length L of the penetrator tip (8) ahead of the first support (4) and the caliber D. The relationship x.gtoreq.0.45 * .iota. further applies between the distances x and .iota., with x being the distance between the trailing edge (10) of the sabot and the base surface (11) of the air pocket (6) in the second support (5) and .iota. being the distance between the trailing edge (10) of the sabot (3) and the leading edge (12) of the sabot at the surface of the penetrator (2).

Abstract: A light and portable throwing device which can be carried and operated by only one person, for firing incandescent bodies that light large combat areas, comprising a separable firing tube which carries in its partial tube sections individual lighting elements in a container, and which separable firing tube can be quickly mounted in a base plate socket of a base plate. A releasable bayonet ring holds the spherical part of the firing tube in the base plate. A selector dial, rotatably positioned around the extended bore axis has individual support surfaces. During contact with a datum surface, each support surface has a given fixed predetermined angle of inclination between the bore axis and a gauge on the datum surface which corresponds to a respective throw distance for an incandescent body. A grip handle piece on the separable firing tube covers the center of gravity G of the throwing device and allows for the one handed carrying of the complete apparatus.

Abstract: In an automatic gas-driven firing weapon such as a machine cannon, an improved arrangement for pre-selecting the cadence of firing bursts. The weapon includes at least one first conduit in the gun barrel for conducting at least a portion of the gases formed at firing to an outlet of this first conduit. The housing of the weapon has a second and one or more third conduits for respectively conducting gases to the ammunition feed drive and the breech block drive. A ring body is rotatably mounted on the housing and is disposed between the first conduit, on the one hand, and the second and third conduits, on the other hand. The ring body has a plurality of passages of different cross-sections which can be positioned by rotating the ring body so as to provide a communication passage of pre-selected cross-section between the first conduit and the second and third conduits.

Abstract: An improved counter-recoil dampening and braking mechanism for a machine cannon. The mechanism includes a cylinder which is secured to the gun barrel or housing of the machine cannon. A stationary piston is mounted inside the cylinder and has a pair of hollow piston rods extend in opposite axial directions from the stationary piston and respectively divides the cylinder into front and rear chambers. A front and rear end wall closes respectively the cylinder at its front and rear end wall. The front and rear hollow piston rods are respectively slidably disposed in the front and rear end walls of the cylinder. The front hollow piston rod is operatively secured to the cradle of the machine cannon. A flying piston is slidably disposed in the front hollow piston rod. The stationary piston has a first passage which coacts with a cover in the rear chamber to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid rearwardly during recoil; the cover sealing the first passage during counter-recoil.

Abstract: The breech of a gun moves in opposite, recoil and counter-recoil directions along a guide path. A rotatable coupling member having a first interlocking end is mounted along the fixed structure of the gun. The gun is selectively activated by a rotatable key member aligned with the coupling member, the key member having a second interlocking end adapted to interfit with the first interlocking end on the coupling member. The key member can be axially slid with respect to the coupling member to assume an on-position when it is disengaged from the coupling member, an off-position when it is drivingly engaged with the coupling member, and an intermediate position when only the end surfaces of the interlocking ends of the coupling member and key member are in engagement. Release of the mechanism from the on-position induces the key member to move into the intermediate position, and the counter-recoil motion of the breech induces the key member to move from its intermediate position into its off-position.