Abstract: A Handle and Firing Mechanism Assembly (H&FMA) provides a robust and streamlined H&FMA for a mortar weapon system. The H&FMA is easier to assemble and eliminates jamming issues, and firing pin protrusion adjustment procedures. It also incorporates a lighter trigger squeeze in Trigger fire mode and locks the firing pin in Drop fire mode. The handle is easier and more cost effective to produce. The H&FMA can be used with, for example, a 60 mm mortar weapon system.

Abstract: A sighting assembly for a mortar employed in handheld mode. The sighting assembly is attached to the discharge end of a mortar tube by a mounting collar. The collar includes first and second distance indicator dials that employ a pointer to indicate the distance a mortar projectile will travel at different mortar angles and charges. The sighting assembly further includes structure allowing a compass to be locked in a housing by a first cam lever. The entire housing pivots about a cam bolt attached to a second cam lever that can lock the housing in a position parallel to the ground at any angle the mortar is positioned. This will allow a measurement of azimuth to a target to be taken. The azimuth and distance measurements can be used to deliver a mortar projectile to the target while keeping the target in the mortarman's line of sight.

Abstract: A significantly simplified sight unit for a mortar is provided consisting of a gauge tool for boresight procedures containing a frame with two legs, each containing a level secured to the frame by a securing bracket. A plurality of C-brackets and screw assemblies stabilize and help further secure the levels to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bit holder having an insertion projection and having a bore-shaped bit receptacle that has a longitudinal center axis, a convexly curved support surface being provided on a base part. A bit holder of this kind can be implemented in compact and stable fashion in particular by the fact that the longitudinal center axis of the bit receptacle intersects the support surface.

Abstract: A modular mortar baseplate may include a top plate with an outer annular substantially planar portion and a recessed central portion. A socket may be disposed in the recessed central portion. A hub may be disposed beneath the recessed central portion. A plurality of legs may be connected to an underside of the top plate and to the hub. Each leg may include a pair of vertical portions, a horizontal portion, and a pair of rounded portions that join the pair of vertical portions to the horizontal portion. Each of the pair of rounded portions may have a radius that decreases in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: An aerial disposal and dispersal of cremated remains device is presented. It is used to spread the remains of loved ones over a desired area. The device comprises a canister and a mortar, the canister being cylindrical in shape having cardboard walls, the canister further containing an igniter and burster charge in an inner cardboard tube, such inner tube being fitted with an upper cap, the mortar being cylindrical in shape with steel walls, the mortar further comprising a lifting charge which sits below an obturator disc, the obturator disc having a hole in the center, the canister fitting inside the mortar such that the canister's igniter sits atop the hole in the obturator disc. At least one device is fitted to a horizontal member to launch remains from any location.

Abstract: Apparatuses, vehicles, and methods to reduce loads applied to a store when the store is launched from the vehicle are disclosed. A particular apparatus includes a launch chamber and a flap. The launch chamber has a first portion configured to receive a store. A second portion is configured to be positioned over an opening in a hull of a vehicle. The chamber has a forward end and an aft end. The flap is positioned a distance from the aft end of the launch chamber. The flap has a first end rotatably mounted proximate to the first portion of the launch chamber and has a second end extending toward the second portion of the launch chamber. The flap is configured to rotate about the first end when the store impacts the flap due to the forces applied to the store by the fluid when the store is launched.

Abstract: A firing device for close-in defense ammunition, ammunition incorporating a rigid casing enclosing at least one projectile, casing integral with a base that can be joined by linking means to a firing device base incorporating means to prime the ammunition, device wherein it incorporates a tube capping the ammunition after this ammunition has been fixed onto the firing base, such tube that is itself made integral with the firing base by attachment means, such tube further carrying an articulated bipod enabling the orientation in elevation of the device.

Abstract: Stores launch tubes and vehicles equipped with stores launch tubes are disclosed. According to a particular illustrative example, a stores launch tube includes a tube member and a flexible seal. The flexible seal couples an exterior of the tube member to a hull. The flexible seal acts as a pressure barrier against an ambient environment.

Abstract: Recoil artillery systems and isolation systems are provided. An isolation system is provided for mounting an inertial navigation system onto an artillery system having a barrel adapted to move along a longitudinal axis during a firing sequence. The system includes an inner cradle, an outer cradle, first and second elastomeric isolators, and a first single axis damper. The first elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The second elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The first single axis damper is aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and includes a first end and a second end, the first end is mounted to the first inner sidewall, and the second end is mounted to the first outer sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shell (1) intended for firing from a weapon (6), preferably a mortar weapon (6), the shell (1) being designed for securing the shell (1) in a mortar weapon (6) in order thereby to prevent movement of the shell (1) when adjusting the angle of elevation of the weapon (6). According to the invention this is achieved in that the shell (1) comprises a locking part (19, 28, 37), the locking part (19, 28, 37) forming an integral part of the shell (1) and being designed so that the shell (1) after ramming home is locked to a corresponding securing part (19) in the mortar (6). The invention also relates to a mortar (6) intended for firing said shell (1), the mortar (6) being characterized in that the mortar (6) comprises a corresponding securing part (19) for locking the shell (1).

Abstract: A firing device (1) for close-in defense ammunition (2), ammunition incorporating a rigid casing (6) enclosing at least one projectile (7), casing integral with a base (8) that can be joined by linking means to a firing device base (3) incorporating means to prime the ammunition, device characterized in that it incorporates a tube (10) capping the ammunition (2) after this ammunition has been fixed onto the firing base (3), such tube that is itself made integral with the firing base (3) by attachment means (11), such tube further carrying an articulated bipod (15) enabling the orientation in elevation of the device (1).

Abstract: An exemplary stores launch tube includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The inner tube is disposed interior the outer tube and is configured to reduce load as a store exits therefrom. The inner tube may be made of a flexible material. At least one load-reducing device may be disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube may be received within a canister that has an outer casing that is attachable to the outer tube. Alternately, the inner tube may be attached directly to the outer tube. The inner tube may include more than one tube section. If desired, filler material, such as foam, may be disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The outer tube may have a substantially circular cross-section, or an oval cross-section, or any cross-section as desired to accommodate structural considerations.

Abstract: A gun for firing a round of caseless ammunition, a round of such ammunition having a projectile and a modular propellant, the projectile and a modular propellant being disposable for firing in a gun tube, includes an actuatable valve being selectively openable to the gun tube, the valve for drawing a negative pressure in the gun tube, the negative pressure acting to pull the round into contact with a breech face such that when a firing pin is forceably released, the firing pin reliably strikes a primer of the modular propellant, the primer igniting the modular propellant, the ignited propellant forcefully discharging the projectile from the gun tube. A firing pin and valve assembly and a method of operating a gun are further included.

Abstract: An optically guided mortar comprising a three axis canard assembly, an optical seeker, a guidance and control processor, and a fuze mechanism. The optical seeker is a direct replacement for existing standard mortar fuzes. The resulting system significantly improves current mortar circular error probability (CEP) and results in overall reduction of cost of target prosecution, reduction in collateral damage, improved crew survivability, and adds compatibility against limited non-stationary targets. The optical seeker detects an optical illuminator located at a target and supplies signals to the guidance and control processor which through a guidance algorithm supplies steering commands to drive motors of the three axis canard assembly which move a plurality of guidance canards to accurately direct the munition toward a target.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; an opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a solenoid having a plunger, the plunger being disposed to open the spring loaded valve assembly; and a vacuum source connected to the spring loaded valve assembly.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; first and second openings in the wall of the mortar tube, the first opening being closer to a breech end of the mortar tube than the second opening; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the first opening in the wall of the mortar tube; and a shoe assembly disposed in the second opening in the wall of the mortar tube. The spring loaded valve assembly is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the mortar bomb rearward in the tube. The shoe assembly includes a shoe that bears on the mortar bomb to hold it in place when the tube is in an elevated position.

Abstract: A non-lethal cargo projectile comprises a projectile body; a fuze adapter attached to a front of the projectile body; a fuze attached to the fuze adapter; a boattail attached to a rear of the projectile body; a pressure tube extending from the fuze adapter to the boattail; a decelerator and drogue chute disposed aft of the fuze adapter; a flexible line that connects the pressure tube to the decelerator; a center disc disposed aft of the decelerator and drogue chute; a rear disc disposed aft of the center disc, the center disc and the rear disc defining a payload volume therebetween; a second flexible line that connects the rear disc to the boattail; at least one shearable fastener that fastens the projectile body to the fuze adapter; and at least one vent extending from the boattail to the fuze adapter.

Abstract: A system for stowing and deploying a mortar from a transport vehicle employs a hoist mechanism, a support frame, a pair of guide arms and a barrel-support strut attached to a transport vehicle. The support frame is adapted to be temporarily engaged with the mortar barrel, the base plate and the pair of stabilizer arms of the mortar to prevent relative motion between them during stowing and deployment. The hoist mechanism has a lift arm that pivots between a retracted and a deployed position. One end of the lift arm is hook shaped for detachable engagement with the support frame. A pair of guide arms extend in spaced parallel relation from the rear of the vehicle and serve to guide a trajectory of the mortar as it is being stowed or lowered to the ground.

Abstract: A mortar bomb retention apparatus for retaining a mortar bomb in a mortar tube includes a lever arm; a lever positioner in which the lever arm is rotatably mounted; a generally cylindrical housing having a central opening therethrough, the central opening comprising a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the lever positioner being fixed to the housing; a shoe disposed in the central opening in the housing; a compression spring disposed around the shoe in the large diameter portion of the central opening; and a shoe cap attached to an end of the shoe, one end of the compression spring bearing against the shoe cap, a portion of the lever arm contacting the shoe cap wherein rotation of the lever arm is operable to force the shoe downward.

Abstract: A shotgun sound simulating device comprises an elongate tube having a hollow interior, an open end at one end of the tube, an ignitable mixture arranged to be injected into the tube, a baffle within the tube and an ignition device arranged to ignite the ignitable mixture. Ignition of the ignitable mixture with the tube creates a sound effect to simulate a sound created by the firing of a shotgun.

Abstract: The loader assist for mortars allows for the automated loading of ammunition through the muzzle. The invention assists soldiers by transporting the shell into the muzzle from a lower position near the base of the mortar tube thus reducing exposure to enfilade enemy fire and the effects of muzzle blast. The loader assist comprises a frame surrounding the mortar and attached thereto. The frame is supported on pivots mounted to a turntable such that both the invention and mortar move as a unit. A lift device is positioned at the center of the frame and parallel to the mortar axis. A carriage comprising a transfer device is positioned on top of said frame. Said elevator is comprised of two linear actuators which are positioned opposite each other, allowing the jaws on each shuttle to act in pairs with the respective jaws on the other, to grip the shell in two places.