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 machine gun, representatively a 30 mm machine gun, is mounted on an outer end portion of a support plank structure projecting out of the cabin area of a helicopter using a roller cradle assembly secured to the outer plank end. A variety of structural improvements are incorporated into the machine gun to (1) reduce its mechanical complexity, (2) reduce its firing recoil to make the gun more suitable for light aircraft mounting, and to improve the gun's firing controllability and accuracy, and (3) to make the gun easily and quickly field strippable, for cleaning, inspection and repair purposes, without requiring the services of a highly skilled armament mechanic or taking the gun to a specialized repair facility.

Abstract: A barrel assembly includes a barrel and a plurality of projectile assemblies disposed in end to end abutting relationship within the barrel and forming a compression resistant column of projectile assemblies. Each projectile assembly includes a projectile head and a spacer assembly engaged therewith and extending axially therefrom to abu the adjacent projectile assembly. Complementary wedging surfaces are disposed on the spacer assembly and projectile head, respectively, wherein relative axial engagement between a projectile head and its spacer assembly causes a radial expansion of the projectile head of wedging the projectile head into sealing engagement with the barrels. A discrete propellant charge is associated with each projectile assembly for propelling the projectile assemblies sequentially through the muzzle of the barrels.

Abstract: A carrier vehicle (1) for a tube weapon (2) having a resiliently arranged undercarriage (3) and a support arrangement (5) which in the combat-ready position is arranged between the vehicle (1) and the ground (4), with the support arrangement comprising at least one support (6). To avoid manual readjustment of the support arrangements (5), even when firing from a position with a soft underground, the supports (6), which are disposed at the tail of the vehicle (1), are arranged so as to be slidable in the direction of their longitudinal axes (7) via a positioning motor (15). The positioning motor (15) is connected to an electronic control device (16) which actuates the positioning motor (15) in a manner such that the support (6) is pressed against the ground (4) with a definable force before a shot is fired and compensation is provided for the gap (18) which occurs between the support (6) and the ground (4) after a shot has been fired because of the resilient yielding and rebounding of the undercarriage (3).

Abstract: A front loading weapon includes a barrel for firing ammunition therefrom; a breechblock arranged at a rear terminal portion of the barrel; a firing pin carried by the breechblock; and an apparatus for monitoring load conditions of the barrel. The apparatus includes a body sound sensor mounted on the weapon and emitting a first signal representing body oscillations of the weapon; an electronic evaluating device connected to an output of the sensor for emitting a second signal characteristic of an impacting of a cartridge on a region of the breechblock upon loading the cartridge into the barrel; and a warning device connected to the electronic evaluating device for being actuated by the second signal.

Abstract: A propulsion system to provide silent firing of a mortar weapon using standard and nonstandard mortar tubes or launch assemblies has been invented. The system utilizes a precision rupture disc mechanism to control combustion and energy release to effect consistent operation. The gases generatedd by combustion of the propellant charge are contained by the rupture disc which insures uniform and efficient propellant combustion. After rupture of the disc at a prescribed pressure, the projectile is accelerated by the expanding gases through the action of a piston on the warhead. The gases are retained within the projectile after accelerating the projectile, preventing release of high pressure gas and resulting in a silent launch condition.In a first embodiment the warhead and piston moves first and then the heavier cylinder is moved. In a second embodiment the cylinder moves with the warhead and picks up the lighter piston.

Abstract: A gun is provided with an electronically fired cartridge. The cartridge includes a primer cap with a heat sensitive primer therein. A fuse wire of appropriate electrical resistance extends through the primer, and a pair of contacts are affixed with a gun to provide a voltage to the fuse wire in order to cause a flow of current through the fuse wire to ignite the primer. An electric circuit is provided on the gun body for supplying electric power to the contacts. The circuit includes a switch, a battery, and first and second contacts which are in electrical communication with the fuse wire when the cartridge is in the gun.

Abstract: A firing system for a small firearm including a caseless munition of a small calibre that is discharged by an electric arc in the vicinity of the primer of the munition from a high voltage applied between two electrodes. The electrode forming the anode is mounted on a support fastened to the rear of a firing chamber. The support ensures sealing for the combustive gases and insulation for the anode. The electrode forming the cathode is constituted by the metallic firing chamber of the weapon.

Abstract: An electrical initiation device for an ammunition igniter (8) having a contactor (9) integral with a launch tube (1), wherein the contactor (9) is equipped with means to impart a rotational movement (11, 12) and a translational movement (13).

Abstract: A plurality of magazines each receive an array of pyrotechnic devices. The magazines are latched to a fire control and support assembly which automatically engages the fire control circuit to each device of each magazine. The circuit ignites all devices of all the magazines in a given serial sequence. The system, under control of an operator, when turned off, may be restarted at the beginning of a selected sequence, at the point where the last device was ignited and continue the sequence or at selected different portions of devices. Different size devices can be ignited by one circuit using different magazines all coupled to one unit. Safety features also include delay ignition after startup and sounding an alarm before any device is ignited. A CPU is enabled by a fire command signal and disabled by internal programmed instructions. The CPU is periodically enabled in a device ignition cycle by external timing signals initiated by the CPU when enabled.

Abstract: A gun capable of fully automatic firing having a trigger mechanism comprising; an arrest mechanism operable to interrupt ammunition discharging mechanism, the arrest mechanism comprising a cam element which cooperates with a complementary cam element of a timing device, and wherein the timing device comprises an electric motor operable to drive the complementary cam element when a physically displaceable trigger of the trigger mechanism is moved to a firing position and when the gun is in a fully automatic mode of operation, the timing device being operable to effect cyclical release of the discharge mechanism by said arrest mechanism.

Abstract: A portable lightweight mortar utilizes a triangularly-shaped canvas base te designed to withstand the high resolved tensile loading stresses generated by mortar firings and transmitted to it by three truss rods which are disposed in grommets located in the canvas corners on one end and are attached by pin/trunnion swivels on its other ends to a gimbaled collar located on the cannon tube.

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 apparatus for mortars for simulating the loading and firing of live ammunition by using a dummy shell. The apparatus includes a mortar, a spacer piece, and a dummy shell. The spacer piece and dummy shell are inserted into the mortar barrel. The length of the spacer piece and dummy shell are such that the top of the dummy shell projects a distance past the muzzle of the barrel. The spacer piece includes a firing pin mechanism including a firing pin and a triggering mechanism. A triggering pin projects from a top plate of the spacer piece and is movable from a projected position into a retracted position for triggering. The firing pin mechanism includes spring biassed rods which project out from the top plate of the spacer piece and are urged inwards by the dummy shell. The firing pin mechanism is biassed by a latch which is releaseable by an electromagnet.

Abstract: An anchoring system for anchoring a projectile launcher to the ground. The launcher includes a tubular body accommodating at least a projectile to be fired and a propellant charge. The system further includes least one anchoring element that penetrates the ground when the projectile is fired. The anchoring element can be moved between a first position in which it is at a distance from the ground and held by a body of the launcher by means of a temporary attachment device, and a second position in which it penetrates the ground. A control system causes the anchoring spike to move automatically from its first to its second position and is constituted by the pressure of the gases resulting from ignition of propellant charge.

Abstract: A system for controlling the application of firing signals to electrically fired ammunition rounds which are chambered in the gun or the like. A plurality of insulated contacts are installed in the firing chamber wall so as to connect electrically to mating insulated contacts which are built into the case of the chambered round. Various configurations of annular contact rings are provided for both the inner surface of a gun firing chamber and for the mating exterior surface of a cartridge to be positioned therein. Timing control circuitry for such systems is also disclosed, suitable for use in a single barrel gun or a multiple barrel gun of the Gatling type or a revolving chamber gun with one or more fixed barrels.

Abstract: A medium caliber automatic firearm with a high firing rate including a star drum which revolves in indexed fashion and which is in line with and driven by a cylinder star wheel, whose rotation is synchronized with that of the star drum, is mounted to the side of and is parallel to the star drum. A stripper is mounted between the star wheel and the star drum in order to separate cartridges from links at a point where the ammunition belt comes out of the star wheel while allowing the links to be evacuated from the firearm. A mechanism is also included which introduces the cartridges into successive chambers of the cylinder, the cartridges being lined up with the chambers by a star drum as the latter rotates.

Abstract: An electrically-fired cartridgeless ammunition projectile firearm system, which can operate with or without batteries, and which system has only one moving part is provided. The firearm system uses magnets to generate the charges which are required to detonate the projectiles, uses opposing magnets to eliminate the need for the inclusion of recoil springs after firing, and also uses magnets to dampen the recoil of the firearm. Additionally, it provides a firearm system, which, when loaded with a magazine and ready to fire, operates with no external openings with the exception of the muzzle and cooling slots surrounding the firing chamber, so that it can operate under almost any physical or climatic conditions. It is also designed to utilize a forward motion of its barrel on firing, which reduces the amount of recoil felt by the user. The several factors which reduce recoil, improves accuracy.

Abstract: A barreled weapon including a forward barrel segment which is tiltable about a trunnion through the intermediary of an actuating arrangement, and additionally includes a rear barrel segment which is similarly pivotable about the trunnion whereby the barrel segments, when oriented in their coaxial position, are sealed through the utilization of a sealing ring at a joint or separating location without necessitating any axial displacement of one of the barrel segments. The weapon includes a casing which is conducted along a screwthread and wherein, in the coaxial position of the barrel segments, the actuating arrangement rotates the casing so as to cause the latter, in conjunction with the sealing ring which is arranged thereon, to axially slide over the separating location between the barrel segments.

Abstract: The invention is an electronic circuit with several inputs, several outputs, a timing circuit, and two switching circuits used to actuate the firing of certain firearms. The circuit is partitioned into a voltage boosting circuit, a machine gun firing circuit and a cannon firing circuit. The voltage boosting circuit produces a voltage that is larger than the supply voltage, which is used to facilitate the operation of MOSFET switching circuits. The machine gun firing circuit connects a low impedance voltage source to a particular output only so long as a particular input is electrically asserted. The cannon firing circuit connects a low impedance voltage source to a particular output for a specified period of time only in response to a stimulus on one particular input and only if an additional arming input is electrically asserted.

Abstract: Breechblock with firing pin for mortars, which has barrel (1), breechblock (2), and base plate (3) united as follows:(a) barrel (1) to breechblock (2), using at least one key (8) accomodated in key seat (11) of barrel (1) and provided with holes (81) into which pins (8) are inserted; and at least one screw (7) accomodated in a threaded hole (21) of breechblock (2), said screw (7) defining two coaxial zones in its body, one of greater diameter of external treading (71) which is attached in breechblock (2), and another of smaller diameter provided with perimetral neck (72) in which pins (9) positioning key (8) are accomodated;(b) breechblock (2) to base plate (3) with possibility of turning in space, using positioning head (26) in the end of breechblock (2); support flange (4) over platform base (3); cover rib (5) attached by screw (20) over support flange (4) and which holds rib (6) in it, into which said head (26) of breechblock (2) runs.

Abstract: An externally powered automatic gun or cannon system includes a gun with a pivoting chamber, a shell supply and a shell indexer and a shell rammer for feeding shells from the supply into the gun chamber for firing. Fluid pressure actuators are connected for operating the gun chamber, shell indexer and shell rammer and sensors are provided for sensing extreme operating positions thereof. Timing means are responsive to the sensors for determining lengths of operating times. Electronic control means, responsive to the sensors and timing means, control, on a step-by-step basis, operation of the actuators and firing apparatus according to a pre-established sequence of operational steps causing the automatic loading and firing of the automatic gun.

Abstract: The improved mortar has a sealing means that provides a double seal to the firing pin so that hot ignition gases from the mortar tube are prevented from damaging the firing mechanism. The improved mortar also has an improved base plate, the improvement in the base plate being an even number of radial ridges that extend radially from the base plate and are arranged in equal angles at the center. Every other radial ridge is forked and the branches of the forked radial ridges are parallel to the adjacent non-forked radial ridges.

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: A detonator mechanism for use with cartridges normally actuatable by firing pin and having a casing which has at least a partial region which includes a floor portion. The housing contains detonating means which can be ignited above a predetermined detonating temperature. A portion of the weapon, which contains at least one of the cartridges, is electrically connected to the conductive region of the casing. A detonating current transfer device made of an electrically conductive material is movably supported with respect to the floor portion, and is arranged to establish contact with the floor portion. At least one rechargeable capacitor serves as a source of detonating current. The source of detonating current, the detonating current transfer device, the detonator, the casing, and the portion of the weapon form a series-connected circuit, and a switch is connected to the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical firing mechanism for hand guns and small caliber machine guns having a tension trigger which tightens a compression spring locading an impact member which when released strikes a piezo-voltage generator. The output of the generator leads to an electrical detonator. A firing mode selecting system, includes a lever which serves to engage a safety to block the trigger and to provide other firing modes such as burst and sustained fire. An additional source of electrical energy is provided in addition to the piezo-voltage generator, which can be connected with the detonator by way of the trigger, and the selecting system.

Abstract: A weapons system for single-barrel automatic cannons uses PRUNIT rounds consisting of a projectile and a casingless solid body of propellant affixed to the projectile. A respective arming set is provided for at least some of said weapons to form central units therewith. Each arming set comprises means defining first and second energy-flow paths with respective shafts adapted to transmit torque from input ends to output ends of the path. Both of the shafts are connected to a wedge-type breech block for shifting same between open and closed positions. One of the shafts is connected to a loader and the other to a belt feeder for the PRUNITs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for automatically halting the operation of a Gatling gun in the event of a non-fire to preclude the possibility of the non-fire becoming a hangfire with an unlocked breech.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gun operated firing device which utilizes the kinetic nergy of a gas-operated gun to generate, store and discharge voltage to fire electrically primed ammunition. The firing device contains a magnetic circuit comprised of a coil, a capacitor across the output of the coil, a diode between said capacitor and coil, a resistor in parallel with the capacitor and a switch in the form of a firing pin which connects the circuit to the primer. The circuit is in the bolt carrier of the gun which slides on an upper receiver tube containing a magnet causing the flux created to link with the coil.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rate of firing from a machine gun having means for imparting energy to an ammunition feed system, a rigidly locking breech block and a firing device, and having a recoil and counter-recoil device which is movably coupled by means of a differential recoil system to the gun mount wherein the control order necessary for detonation is derived from the simultaneous transmittal of a signal from a predetermined position of the breech block and a predetermined position of the recoil counter-recoil device during its oscillating movement. Means are provided for adjusting the delay of the counter-recoil movement of the recoil counter-recoil device by limiting the travel of a control piston within the recoil counter-recoil device.

Abstract: A self-propelling projectile comprising a projectile body at the normally forward end of said projectile, a propellent charge at the normally rearward end of said projectile, and a primer element located between the ends of said projectile for ignition by side firing or percussion; there being means for maintaining said components in integrated relationship and with communication between said primer elements and said propellent charge whereby upon explosion of said propellent charge the force of the latter will be directed against the base of the projectile body.

Abstract: An improved floating machine cannon of the type utilizing the counter-recoil method of firing is disclosed wherein two normally open switches are used to detect when the breech block locks in place and when the recoil damper reaches the optimum point in its forward movement to commence the second and subsequent detonations. Detonation for the second and subsequent firing cycles can only occur at such time when both switches are closed.

Abstract: A projectile firing device utilizing a fluid propellant in which an electronic control responsive to a charging signal, cycling of the bolt in the breechblock to a fully closed position and pressure in the firing chamber below a preset value opens a valve to permit pressurized propellant to flow into the firing chamber and closes the valve and enables electronic triggering circuits when the pressure reaches the preset value. The muzzle velocity of the device may be varied by varying the pressure of the propellant in the firing chamber and the rate of fire in the automatic mode may be adjusted electronically. A spring biased injector finger carried by the bolt urges a projectile from a magazine into the bore of the barrel and retains it there to form a gas tight seal until the propellant is ignited. When no projectiles remain in the magazine, the injector finger prevents the bolt from closing completely and therefore inhibits the electronic control from recharging the firing chamber with propellant.

Abstract: A clamp and wedge attachment to fixed and moving components frictionally ages the components which become disengageable upon application of overriding forces. The wedge has an enlarged detachable loading end which fits between two tines of the clamp which acts as flexure springs. This structure eliminates the slide bounce problem encountered in adapting the M39, 20MM Automatic Revolver Cannon to a constant recoil mode of operation.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for firing a firearm comprises an electromagnet including a coil and a movable armature actuated by the coil. The armature is connected to the firing pin so as to move the firing pin when the coil is energized by actuating switch means which connects the coil to a source of electrical energy. The switch means is actuated by a trigger lever or button which closes a normally open switch.

Abstract: A blowback-operated quick-firing weapon is to fire at a preselected rate of firing or at its inherent rate of firing if the latter rate is smaller than the former one. This is achieved by substantially all-electronic elements such as gates and flip-flops. To this end there is a signal transmitter signalling the closed position of the slider of said weapon. A first circuit means produces a firing current control impulse. A second circuit means responds to the movement of the slider away from and back to its closed position and produces a first control signal. A third circuit means is triggered by the firing current control pulse through a time-delay element. A logic circuit combines the first and second control signals to trigger a firing currrent control pulse. Further means are provided to automatically cause the firing of a charging cartridge, if the shot cartridge has not fired within a preselected safety interval after the firing current control pulse.