Abstract: A machine gun (e.g., a minigun) is provided with a modular delinker. The front of the delinker (i.e., nose) can be removed from the main body of the delinker without tools. The paddle wheel in the main body includes a front paddle wheel and a rear paddle wheel. The front paddle wheel is removable from the main body with the nose, and the rear paddle wheel remains within the main body on a driven shaft of the delinker when the nose is removed from the main body. Thus, some components of the delinker are accessible and serviceable without tools, and the nose and front paddle wheel may be swapped out without tools out to alter a compatible ammunition cartridge type of the delinker. A jam can be cleared and damaged front and/or rear paddle wheels can be replaced in the field to return a gun to service.

Abstract: A spade grip attachment assembly for securing a spade grip to a minigun clutch includes a first adapter member configured to be secured to the spade grip and a second adapter member configured to be secured to the clutch. The first and second adapter members are configured such that one is receivable in the other. Each adapter member defines a pair of coaxially aligned pin holes that align to form a passage in which a locking pin is receivable when one adapter member is received in the other. The locking pin is receivable in the passage to releasably secure the first adapter member to the second adapter member.

Abstract: A breechblock for a weapon system having a recoilable barrel and having a breechblock carrier and a rotatable breechblock head. The breechblock head is carried by the breechblock carrier. The breechblock carrier has a control cam that is divided into a number of, preferably at least four, cam sections. The actual weapon function and the unlocking of the breechblock or of the breechblock head are combined in this control cam. The breechblock head comprises a control pin, which engages in the control cam and can be guided therein. Attached to the breechblock carrier are two blocking slides, which keep the breechblock head in one of two different positions, in which positions the breechblock head can enter or leave the locking portion of the barrel, namely, a forward position in the course of the actual functioning of the weapon and a rear position during the advancement of the returning masses.

Abstract: An electrically driven rotary machine gun includes a drive motor, a feeder delinker, a clutch, and a gun control unit. The drive motor is configured to rotate a rotor of the gun when receiving power. The feeder delinker is configured to provide ammunition cartridges to the rotor while being rotated. The rotor fires the ammunition cartridges while receiving them from the feeder delinker and being rotated by the drive motor. The clutch is configured to selectively engage the rotor and the feeder delinker while actuated. The gun control unit is configured to receive input from a user and provide power to the drive motor as a function of the input received from the user while and to actuate the clutch while providing power to the drive motor. The gun control unit includes a battery to eliminate the necessity of an external power supply.

Abstract: A gun control unit for a M134 minigun firearm including an armature and a stator comprising at least one hardware processor; and one or more software modules that are configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, independently control the armature; independently control the stator.

Abstract: A safing sector for a minigun including a housing with an opening adjacent to barrels of the minigun, comprising a safing sector cover configured to cover the opening of the housing of the minigun; one or more retaining pin assemblies configured to retain the cover to the housing of the minigun; a safing sector slide member configured to slide forward and rearward relative to the safing sector cover; a safing sector slide control mechanism configured to impart the forward and rearward sliding movement of the safing sector slide member relative to the safing sector cover between at least a fire position and a safe position, where the barrels of the minigun may be rotated electrically without firing and without bolt assemblies becoming damaged.

Abstract: A gun control unit for a M134 minigun firearm including an armature and a stator comprising at least one hardware processor; and one or more software modules that are configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, independently control the armature; independently control the stator.

Abstract: An improved minigun rotor comprised of distinct components that can be removed from the rotor and subsequently replaced is provided. The improved rotor includes a tail having a shaft, where a plurality of bolt tracks is attached to one end of the shaft; a camming section including a first cam and a second cam mounted on a sleeve, where the sleeve is configured to be removably attached to the shaft; and a barrel cluster head including a plurality of barrel apertures, where the barrel cluster head is configured to be removably attached to the rotatable shaft and secured to an end of the shaft. The improved rotor allows for each of the components of the rotor to be replaced (rather than the entire rotor) if a catastrophic failure occurs or the components need to be repaired or replaced due to wear and tear.

Abstract: A bootstrap hydraulic reservoir includes a bootstrap chamber to hold hydraulic fluid, a piston chamber fluidly connected to a pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system, a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber, and a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system. The hydraulic accumulator accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line. The bootstrap hydraulic reservoir also includes a valve fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system between the hydraulic accumulator and an outlet of a pump of the hydraulic fluid system. The valve includes an actuator selectively moves the valve to an open position when the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system is de-pressurized.

Abstract: The multi-barrel split-breech rapid fire gun is a light-weight, electrically-driven rapid fire gun, radially loaded and fired, using only rotating parts. This eliminates inertia problems compared to a breech-loaded gun that requires a bolt to chamber a cartridge. The firing mechanism allows the cartridge to be enclosed in a split-breech for 50% one rotation of the barrel hub. The gun incorporates an independent firing pin for each barrel to allow for high firing rates. The gun is fed by a thin polyimide cartridge belt fan-folded in a detachable wet-magazine.

Abstract: A Gatling gun with a magazine feed mechanism for use with a spring-loaded magazine. The magazine feed mechanism is configured to transfer spring-loaded rounds from the magazine into successive chambers of the plurality of chambers in the Gatling gun. The magazine feed mechanism chambers rounds from the spring-loaded magazine as the gun's bolt carrier rotates during firing.

Abstract: Firearm safing assemblies and firearms including the same are disclosed. In embodiments firearm safing assemblies include a safing sector with a track surface and a receiver door track. The receiver door track may couple to a receiver of a rotatable firearm, wherein the receiver includes a bolt track and at least a portion of the receiver extends coaxially about a first axis. The safing sector is configured to be at least partially disposed within the receiver door track and to move between a safe position and an armed position. In the safe position the track surface is out of alignment with and does not form part of the bolt track, whereas in the armed position it is aligned with and forms part of the bolt track.

Abstract: A feeder and delinker for use in a gatling gun, the gatling gun comprising a plurality of gun barrels rotatably mounted in a ring, the feeder and delinker comprising: a housing, a drive gear rotationally coupled to the gun barrels rotatably mounted in the ring, the drive gear extending through the housing; a push rod guide and a plurality of push rods oriented parallel to the gun barrels rotatably mounted in the ring. The push rods being slidably received within a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves within the push rod guide, the push rod guide being rotationally coupled to the drive gear, at least one of the push rod guide or push rods comprising a friction reducer located between the push-rod and push rod guide, the push rod guide and the plurality of push rods and the shaft being mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided for evaluating structural response of a sample to blast pressure from a muzzle of a gas gun. The fixture includes an adapter, an annular flange, a gauge assembly and a target assembly. The adapter has a proximal rim and an expansion tube. The rim attaches to the muzzle to direct the blast pressure into the tube towards an exit opposite the rim. The annular flange has a ring and a shim that attaches to the tube at the exit. The gauge assembly contains the sample between upstream and downstream stress gauges. The target assembly contains the gauge assembly. The target assembly includes front and rear annular plates connecting coaxially in parallel. The rear annular plate connects to the ring. The tube carries the blast pressure through the exit to strike the gauge assembly for the stress gauges to measure stress from the blast pressure.

Abstract: An weapon system comprising: a plurality of barrels, wherein the barrels are disposed coaxially around a main shaft and wherein the barrels are held in place by at least one barrel rack; and a plurality of intermeshing, counter rotating cylinders, wherein the cylinders include a central hole for the main shaft or a lower shaft and a plurality of coaxial half-holes disposed around the central hole at the edge of the cylindrical shape to form a chamber when the cylinders mesh. An ammunition belt comprising: a first and second ammunition case, wherein each ammunition case comprises: a casing having a first and second end, wherein the first end is adapted to receive and hold a primer and the second end is adapted to receive and hold propellant and a projectile, wherein the first ammunition case is attached to the second ammunition case.

Abstract: A minigun having a plurality of barrels. At least one barrel has a lug. A barrel clamp is attached to the barrels. The barrel clamp has a rear portion with apertures to receive the barrels. The barrel clamp has a front portion with apertures to receive the free end of the barrels. A clamp collar captures both the rear portion of the barrel clamp and at least one lug. The clamp collar may have two parts that are hingedly attached at one end and releasably pinned at the other end. Each of the two parts may have two flanges. The two flanges may be spaced apart by a distance defined by the barrel clamp's length. Each of the flanges may include a plurality of scallops. The clamp collar and the barrel clamp may each include a plurality of apertures that are aligned when the clamp collar is closed.

Abstract: A gatling gun includes an improved barrel support structure assembly comprising a plurality of circumferentially mounted barrel support arms which reduce the weight of the barrel support structure and improved air flow through the barrel support structure.

Abstract: A minigun having a plurality of barrels. At least one barrel has a lug. A barrel clamp is attached to the barrels. The barrel clamp has a rear portion with apertures to receive the barrels. The barrel clamp has a front portion with apertures to receive the free end of the barrels. A clamp collar captures both the rear portion of the barrel clamp and at least one lug. The clamp collar may have two parts that are hingedly attached at one end and releasably pinned at the other end. Each of the two parts may have two flanges. The two flanges may be spaced apart by a distance defined by the barrel clamp's length. Each of the flanges may include a plurality of scallops. The clamp collar and the barrel clamp may each include a plurality of apertures that are aligned when the clamp collar is closed.

Abstract: A gatling gun style projectile launcher comprising an assembly of rotating, pressurized-air driven guns. A loader assembly mounted on the gun assembly rotates synchronously through mating of drive gears with the assembly of guns. The loader applies centrifugal force to the paintballs within, urging them into loader tubes positioned in the wall of the loader. Synchronous timing gears align the rotating loader tubes with cognate breech openings in the guns, thereby transferring paintballs into the firing positions from which the paintballs are launched.

Abstract: A gatling gun includes an improved barrel support structure assembly comprising a plurality of circumferentially mounted barrel support arms which reduce the weight of the barrel support structure and improved air flow through the barrel support structure.

Abstract: A gatling gun construct increases operational life and reduces jams by utilizing in a feeder/delinker a feeder sprocket that engages the neck and shoulder of each cartridge. The gun also facilitates access to a feeder/delinker by utilizing a single access door that includes a plunger that maintains a cartridge in place in the feeder/delinker while the access door is opened and closed.

Abstract: A Gatling-type minigun eliminates the hazards to the operator of the minigun associated with hang fire and overpressure situations by providing a vented rotor assembly to redirect high-pressure gases and associated debris forward of the rotor assembly and away from the operator.

Abstract: A cooling system for a Gatling machine gun can be use to retrofit an existing machine gun or can be incorporated in a newly manufactured gun. The system directs fluid through the housing assembly of the machine gun to a location intermediate barrels of the gun, and discharges the fluid to cool the barrels.

Abstract: A cooling system for a Gatling machine gun can be use to retrofit an existing machine gun or can be incorporated in a newly manufactured gun. The system directs fluid through the housing assembly of the machine gun to a location intermediate barrels of the gun, and discharges the fluid to cool the barrels.

Abstract: A top cover and safing blade assembly replaces the prior art top cover and safing sector in 7.62 miniguns. The top cover and aft camming portion of a longitudinal helical track are combined in a single unit, thus permitting the forward camming portion of the helical track, incorporated in the safing blade, to be removed separately. Safing the gun by opening the safing blade and rearming it by closing the safing blade can be accomplished in far less time than is required in prior art safing systems. Live cartridges can be quickly cleared from the minigun by electrically rotating the barrels after the safing blade has been locked in its open position.

Abstract: A top cover and safing blade assembly replaces the prior art top cover and safing sector in 7.62 miniguns. The top cover and aft camming portion of a longitudinal helical track are combined in a single unit, thus permitting the forward camming portion of the helical track, incorporated in the safing blade, to be removed separately. Safing the gun by opening the safing blade and rearming it by closing the safing blade can be accomplished in far less time than is required in prior art safing systems. Live cartridges can be quickly cleared from the minigun by electrically rotating the barrels after the safing blade has been locked in its open position.

Abstract: A Gatling-type minigun eliminates the hazards to the operator of the minigun associated with hang fire and overpressure situations by providing a vented rotor assembly to redirect high-pressure gases and associated debris forward of the rotor assembly and away from the operator.

Abstract: A Gatling-type minigun eliminates the hazards to the operator of the minigun associated with hang fire and overpressure situations by providing a vented rotor assembly to redirect high-pressure gases and associated debris forward of the rotor assembly and away from the operator.

Abstract: A device to recuperate the energy produced during the recoiling of a weapon provided with a hydraulic fluid power circuit, wherein said device comprises an energy recuperating cylinder activated by the recoil of said weapon, a double-acting cylinder comprising two chambers separated by a piston, a first chamber of said cylinder being connected to said hydraulic power circuit of said weapon, said piston of said cylinder pushing said hydraulic fluid in said circuit into a storage accumulator when said weapon recoils. The energy recuperating cylinder comprises a second chamber connected to a recoil mechanism that ensures pressurising of said mechanism.

Abstract: A belt-fed machine gun (1) for firing a multiplicity of cartridges (6) encased in sleeves (7), which sleeves are linked to form a belt (8). The machine gun includes a plurality of substantially parallel barrels (2) mounted for circumrotation, a plurality of cradles (5) for supporting the cartridges encased in the sleeves, said cradles being mounted for circumrotation with said plurality of substantially parallel barrels (2) wherein a number of the plurality of cradles in an operative condition are aligned coaxially with corresponding barrels, a housing (9) and a breechblock (10). The housing and said cradles (5) in an operative condition engage sleeves (7) encasing cartridges (6) to form chambers with said breechblock, wherein the breechblock includes a guide (11) for engagement with a follower (15) on the cartridges (6) to urge cartridge and sleeve (7) into engagement with a barrel (2).

Abstract: A top cover and safing sector assembly of a 7.62 mm Gatling machine gun, commonly known as a minigun, incorporates integral latch assemblies that cooperate with top cover and safing sector latch keepers conventionally provided on such machine guns to facilitate opening of the top cover independent of the safing sector or, alternatively, opening of the entire top cover and safing sector assembly, both of which are accomplished without the use of prior art ball locking pins and the need for removal and attendant risk of loss thereof.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for a gun comprises a gun bolt carrier disposed to reciprocate axially with respect to the central axis of the gun, and a gun bolt disposed to reciprocate axially within the carrier. The gun bolt has a locking groove therein. The assembly also comprises a bolt locking mechanism extending through a portion of the bolt carrier to selectively engage the locking groove and thereby prevent the bolt from moving with respect to the carrier. The assembly further comprises a generally axial groove in a non-reciprocating portion of the gun that engages and selectively rotates the rotatable bolt locking mechanism to selectively lock the bolt to the carrier.

Abstract: A machine gun incorporates an additional helical cam assembly to reduce asymmetrical loads imposed on the bolt head and bolt body. Bearing pads positioned on the bolt head serve to support the bolt head within the chamber area of the forward portion of the rotor to thereby improve the accuracy and consistency of firing pin strikes against the primer, resulting in improved cartridge detonation.

Abstract: A feeder/delinker for a gatling gun is disclosed. The feeder/delinker comprises a housing having a drive gear rotationally coupled to a ring of gatling gun barrels extending therethrough, A push rod guide with a plurality of push rods slidably received therein is mounted within the housing. The push rods correspond to and are oriented parallel to the gatling gun barrels. The push rod guide is rotationally coupled to the drive gear and a shaft which extends through the push rod guide. The plurality of push rods slide forwardly and backwardly within the push rod guide. A drive subassembly is mounted forwardly of the push rod guide and defines a plurality of cartridge receiving channels corresponding to and aligned with the plurality of push rods. A stripper subassembly is mounted forwardly of the drive subassembly on the shaft and defines a plurality of stripper channels corresponding to and aligned with the plurality of push rods.

Abstract: A collapsible diaphragm covers an exhaust port of a weapon simulator. The weapon simulator containing a combustion chamber with admitted fuel gas, an ignition assembly within the combustion chamber; and an exhaust port. The collapsible diaphragm holds or contains a powder that discharges to simulate smoke associated with the weapon simulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater weapon having a barrel with n opening through which a projectile is discharged. The weapon further has an apparatus for pressurizing the interior of the barrel to a pressure greater than the ambient pressure to keep water from entering the gun barrel at any point around the circumference of the muzzle opening. The pressurizing apparatus includes a source of gas, a pressure regulator for adjusting the flow of the gas and the pressure within the barrel, and a distribution network for distributing the gas near the muzzle opening and at an end of the barrel remote from the muzzle opening.

Abstract: A small or medium-caliber multi-barrel automatic weapon of the GATLING type, notably designed to fire telescoped munitions, having a loading and firing system (SC) having several pivoting chambers (20). Each chamber is mounted pivoting around a stay (30), is associated with a barrel of the weapon and moves from a loading area (ZC) to a firing area (ZT), said chamber (20) being guided during its movement by guiding means formed of a fixed inner cam (32) and a fixed outer cam (34) which are separated from one another by an even distance corresponding to the outer diameter of the chambers (20).

Abstract: A firing abort and hang fire safety system for a small or medium caliber multi-barrel automatic weapon includes a device to immobilize the revolving assembly (100) of the weapon in rotation. This device includes a shock-absorbing device mounted coaxially to the revolving unit of the weapon, a control device integral in rotation with the revolving unit and able to translate, further to the misfire of a round of ammunition or to the activation of an external control, to compress the shock-absorbing means device and absorb the rotational kinetic energy of the revolving unit of the weapon. The backspring of the shock-absorbing means device thereafter causing the revolving unit of the weapon to rotate in the opposite direction before stopping.

Abstract: A GATLING type multi-barrel weapon includes a revolving assembly with sliding loading and firing chambers that are in axial alignment with the barrels of the weapon. Each chamber is able to move between an open and a closed position following a translational to-and-fro movement in parallel to the rotational axis of the revolving assembly, the two positions being at a distance from one another such as to define a loading space that extends axially for a distance corresponding to the length of a munition. When the chamber is in its open position, supports retain a munition received in the loading space, the supports being formed of two supports respectively provided on the front end face of each chamber and on a ring mounted sliding on the rear part of the barrel. The weapon notably allows plastic-cased telescoped munitions having a polygonal cross section to be fired.

Abstract: An automatic liquid spraying system extinguishes burning embers and residue emaining after firing of a cannon assembly. The spraying system has nozzles mounted on moveable mounted arm means for spraying the liquid co-axially into the cannon tube breech and projectile area and onto the obturator spindle axis. In one embodiment, external electric and pneumatic powered sources provides the power to operate the system; and in another embodiment, a self-powered squirt gun type hydraulic source provides the power.

Abstract: The invention consists of four components: a diverter assembly, a blocking plate assembly, a blast deflector and an exhaust duct. The diverter attaches to the gun barrel clamp and rotates and recoils with the gun; as gases leave the gun barrels and enter the diverter they are redirected by it from axial flow to radial and tangential flow, thereby imparting a forward force and a torque to the barrel cluster. The blocking plate assembly does not rotate within the diverter and acts to limit the egress gas and the gas that flows into the non-firing gun barrels. The blast deflector has a collector that surrounds the diverter and collects the diverted gases. The duct receives the collected gases and conducts them to the desired exhaust ports.

Abstract: A firearm. The rear end of the barrel is directly adjacent to the frontmost point traveled by a slide. The slide travels back and forth inside the weapon's housing. The outside of the barrel is fastened directly or by way of an intermediary to a housing. The area inside the housing (12) and immediately behind the rear end (22) of the barrel (16) communicates with the atmosphere through at least one gas-escape port (26 or 26' & 20).

Abstract: An automatic liquid spraying system extinguishes burning embers and residue emaining after firing of a cannon assembly. The spraying system has nozzles mounted on moveable mounted arm means for spraying the liquid co-axially into the cannon tube breech and projectile area and onto the obturator spindle axis. In one embodiment, external electric and pneumatic powered sources provides the power to operate the system; and in another embodiment, a self-powered squirt gun type hydraulic source provides the power.

Abstract: An electro-thermal gatling gun (12) includes a plurality of gun barrels (46) and a gun rotor (10) defining a plurality of channels (30). Each channel (30) guides a breechblock (32) between a rear position (50) and a breech position (52). Each said guide channel (30) is aligned with and rotatably fixed to one of the plurality of gun barrels (46). A cam guide (49) moves the breechblocks (32) reciprocally and in series from the rear position (50) to the breech position (52) as the gun rotor (10) rotates. An electro-thermal round (60) includes a projectile (62) and a casing (64) and is electrically connected to one of the breechblocks (32) when the breechblock (32) is in the breech position (52).

Abstract: An automatic cannon, especially for cylindrical, telescoped shells, comprises a receiver in which is rotatably mounted an interconnected gun barrel and barrel extension or rotor. The rotor is connected to a power source, which may be an external source, for being driven at a relatively uniform rotational velocity for firing. A chamber having two laterally spaced apart, feed through, shell-holding cavities, is radially slidably mounted in a centrally located, transverse rotor aperture. Three cooperative camming means, responsive to rotor rotation, cause shell feeding, firing and ejection. Shell camming means simultaneously transport shells from an associated feeder into the chamber cavities and fired shell casings from the chamber cavities to a receiver ejection port.

Abstract: A gun bore evacuator comprised of a main reservoir surrounding the gun tu a bore in the tube, ports between the main reservoir and the bore, an auxiliary reservoir surrounding said tube, ports between said main reservoir and the bore, ports between the auxiliary reservoir and the bore, and check valves between the reservoirs.

Abstract: A gun barrel lining made of composite material having refractory fiber reinforcement and a ceramic matrix, the fiber reinforcement comprises a cylindrical inner portion constituted by a three-dimensional fiber texture and a cylindrical outer portion surrounding the inner portion and having the same axis, the outer portion being constituted by a strip wound around the inner portion, and the inner and outer portions being codensified by the ceramic matrix.

Abstract: A decoy for misdirecting heat-seeking and radar-echo-seeking missiles comprised of as main components a radar reflector and an engine and capable of simulating an aircraft in the infra-red wavelength of 1.5 to 2.5 m.mu.; 3-5 m.mu.; and 8-14 m.mu. and simultaneously in the radar band. The decoy is spectrally adapted in the infra-red range and is contoured to exhibit a large reflective surface with a doppler effect in the radar band. The parts are constructed so that the desired configuration and aerodynamic stability is achieved only when the decoy is prepared for operation. A plume covering an appropriately large area is produced and the content of the exhaust includes carbon dioxide and/or metallic powder to a high IR radiation of the plume.

Abstract: A Gatling-type gun mechanism has a stationary housing having a camming channel and at least one loading/unloading port. A rotor is mounted inside the housing and can be rotated about a longitudinal axis; the rotor carries a plurality of gun barrels, each fixed to the rotor with a respective barrel axis substantially parallel to the rotor longitudinal axis; a like number of stud assemblies, each having a respective axis aligned with the axis of an associated gun barrel; and a like number of cartridge chambers, each interacting with the housing camming channel, during each rotation of said rotor, for reciprocal motion between a rearward location substantially coaxial about the associated stud assembly and a forward location substantially in abutment with the associated gun barrel and enclosing a volume into which a round of ammunition can be placed and removed by radial movement through the loading/unloading port.

Abstract: A continuous bore evacuation system for aspirating the noxious gas products associated with the firing of tank rounds and for cooling all or part of the gun barrel between rounds. The bore evacuator employs an annular container which is fixed to the exterior surface of the gun barrel, preferably just ahead of the powder chamber. A plurality of canted ports lead from the container into the bore so that gas products can fill the container after a projectile passes the ports, and a compressed gas can be pumped in through check-valves to continuously clear the bore of gas products after launch. The ports may be arranged in a cochlear manner so that the flow of gas is substantially helical. In another embodiment, an aerosol solvent is injected into the compressed gas to prevent accumulation of propellant residue within the container, check-valves, and bore evacuator holes.