Abstract: A pressure release mechanism for a sonic rarefaction wave-type low-recoil gun system employing controlled plastic venting that exhibits adiabatic shear banding to effect a delayed pressure release.

Abstract: A propellant charge for a recoilless gun, in particular a propellant charge for a round of a reloadable support weapon. The propellant charge is cylindrically shaped and adapted for loading into a charge chamber formed between an inner casing and an outer casing of the round.

Abstract: An arrangement for recoilless launch including a non-gaseous reaction mass having a weight in a range of about 25% to about 75% of a weight of a projectile. For the same projectile energy, less propellant is required than a rocket, which minimizes backblast and reduces before-launch weight. The recoilless launching is adapted to shoulder-launched projectiles in a confined space. The reaction mass may be particles associated with a propellant so as to be released concurrently as the propellant turns into gas and accelerated by and with the propellant gas in a nozzle.

Abstract: A projectile system includes an enclosure, first and second propellants, and first and second projectiles. The first and second propellants are disposed within the enclosure. The first projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the first propellant and a first end of the enclosure, and is operable to exit the enclosure via the first end in response to detonation of the first charge. The second projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the second propellant and a second end of the enclosure, and is operable to exit the enclosure via the second end in response to the detonation of the second propellant.

Abstract: An arrangement for recoilless launch including a non-gaseous reaction mass having a weight in a range of about 25% to about 75% of a weight of a projectile. For the same projectile energy, less propellant is required than a rocket, which minimizes backblast and reduces before-launch weight. The recoilless launching is adapted to shoulder-launched projectiles in a confined space. The reaction mass may be particles associated with a propellant so as to be released concurrently as the propellant turns into gas and accelerated by and with the propellant gas in a nozzle.

Abstract: A housing (1; 100, 104, 102) of a cartridge for a device for firing a projectile has separate first and second chambers (10, 12; 106, 114), each of which contains a respective charge (34, 36; 108, 110, 116, 120) of propellant material. Gas produced by the detonation of one of the charges exits the first chamber to propel the projectile, whilst gas from the detonation of the second charge exist rearwardly from the device so as to counteract recoil. A one way valve may also be provided to help to achieve a high pressure difference between the chambers, where the cartridge has a common igniter assembly.

Abstract: A recoilless weapon system is provided rear portion, a barrel in movable connection to the rear portion, and a handle portion in removable connection with the barrel and/or rear portion. Further, a ballast payload cartridge is removably disposed within a ballast payload cartridge portion of said rear portion, and serves as a center breach to support a combat cartridge. The ballast payload cartridge may have a side primer disposed therein, which allows a single weapon firing pin to simultaneously initiate both the combat cartridge primer and the ballast payload cartridge primer.

Abstract: An arrangement for a weapon including a countermass for reducing the pressure around the weapon. The countermass is enclosed in a countermass container with an openable cover provided with break indications. The arrangement brings about a symmetrical opening operation with favorable recoil in a better way than in previous constructions. This is achieved by the introduction of a guiding folding support arranged adjacent to the openable cover on the inside of the cover relative to the countermass container.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a general method of producing countermass weaponry and is based on the use of a high-pressure system and a low-pressure system with a countermass (12, 26, 26?, 38) acting against the low-pressure system. The high-pressure system (7, 23, 23?, 36) shall, in practice, be formed by the combustion chamber for the weapon propellant charges (8, 22, 22?, 35) while the main part of the low-pressure system (25, 25?) shall, in initial stages, be formed by the storage and acceleration chamber for the countermass. The advantage of the subject invention is that said invention offers a possibility of achieving lower pressure levels around the grunner without, for such an end, diminishing the range of the weapon (1, 13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge (14) which can be used in an anti-tank rocket launcher (10), comprising launching tubes (16) open at both ends, wherein a projectile (18) and a propelling charge cartridge (20) are arranged. To ignite the propelling charge, a non-electric igniting line (56) which is joined to the propelling charge cartridge (20) is used, said line exiting from the launching tube (16) at one end thereof The invention avoids direct ignition of the propelling charge, from an outer radial direction and dispenses with the use of the radial openings therefor in the launching tube (16). The launching tube can also be made from non-metal and mechanically weaker material, thereby considerably reducing the total weight of the cartridge (14) in a considerable manner.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the process of mechanical translation of projectiles by a spring mechanism that is built of a smart material and that is activated by an electric pulse, to provide a controlled translation of a projectile before firing or, in case of pre-firing termination, in order to restore the projectile to its original position after translation. The pre-firing translation using the spring mechanism provides a more controlled process and reduces the risk associated with the conventional propulsion charge translation design. The ability to return the projectile to its initial state after translation affords a significant advantage over the conventional propulsion charge design since it enables the projectile firing to be terminated even after translation, unlike in the conventional design whereby the projectile firing is irreversible upon a mechanical translation by setting off the propulsion charge.

Abstract: Ammunition cartridges are disclosed comprising means for reducing recoil fed to a weapon on discharge of a cartridge. The recoil reducing means comprises non-supportive material between a propellant charge and an end plate of the cartridge in which energy can be absorbed. In a preferred embodiment, the recoil reducing means may comprise one or more toric, air-filled bodies of resilient material.

Abstract: A projectile is provided with an axially passage extending from the rear surface of the projectile and offset from the longitudinal axis of the projectile. A plurality of symmetrically arranged radially extending passages are arranged around the periphery of the projectile and intersect at the longitudinal axis and with the inner end of the axially extending passage to form passageways through the projectile for gradually releasing propellent gas from the barrel of the gun, to the atmosphere, as the projectile passes out the end of the barrel, thereby decreasing the recoil of the firearm.

Abstract: A cartridge case and nozzle assembly is made from a single element of a lightweight durable polymer resin. The cartridge case and nozzle insert into a launch tube of an anti-armor projectile launcher and have improved adhesive connection to reduce relative movement between the assembly and the launch tube. Improved tolerances and better matching of the assembly and the launch tube provide improved reliability for firing. The adhesive connection prevents the launch tube from being reused by adversaries.

Abstract: A cartridge case assembly suitable for use in recoilless weapon systems iuding large caliber weapons is provided which includes an elongated cylindrically shaped inner cartridge case having a plurality of spaced perforations substantially about the periphery of the case wall and opposite open ends; an elongated cylindrically shaped shell member mounted about the inner cartridge case to envelope the periphery thereof and provide an annular propellant charge chamber therebetween, the shell member being of sufficient strength to constrain the passage of propellant gases outwardly from about the wall of the cartridge case upon ignition of a propellant charge within said propellant charge chamber; and a plurality of spaced elongated ignitor tubes associated with said cartridge case along the length thereof, each of ignitor tubes having a plurality of spaced perforations therethrough for distribution of ignition gases to the propellant charge.

Abstract: There is disclose a round of ammunition for a recoilless weapon of the type having a launch tube which is open at both ends, comprising a projectile, a propulsive charge positioned behind the projectile, a countermass positioned behind the propulsive charge, and a linking means connecting the countermass to the projectile. The linking means is formed of a plurality of small rigid linking rods of low mass and high ballistic coefficient fixed to the peripheral region of the countermass and on retaining elements located on the rear end of the projectile. The retaining elements are designed to shear during the launching of the projectile when the tensile load exerted on the retaining elements by the linking rods exceeds a predetermined level.