Weapon system with caseless ammunition

Abstract

A weapon system with classes ammunition, including a weapon housing (1) which has a breech block (12) and in which a propellant charge powder body cartridge support (14) for propellant charge powder bodies (20) which are ignitable by igniter elements (28) and a bullet cartridge support (16) are provided one behind the other. The propellent charge powder body cartridge support (14) adjoins the breech block (12) of the weapon housing (10) and a barrel (18) projecting out of the weapon housing (10) adjoins the bullet cartridge support (16). A number of igniter elements (28) are provided stepwise indexably in the breech block (12). The respective propellant charge powder body (20) has a firing passage (24) which leads into its interior and which based on fluid technology combines with a breech block firing passage (26) which is provided in the breech block (12) and with which the respective igniter element (28) is associated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention concerns a weapon system with caseless ammunition, which includes a weapon housing having a breech block in which there are arranged a propellent charge powder body cartridge support for propellent charge powder bodies. The latter being ignitable by igniter elements. A bullet cartridge support is also provided wherein these components are arranged one behind the other. [0003] In the case of large-caliber ammunition, for example 155 mm-ammunition, the propellent charge igniter is inserted separately. In the case of caseless ammunition the propellent charge igniter which can be a mechanical or an electrical propellent charge igniter has hitherto been integrated into the propellent charge powder body. In contrast to cased ammunition, in caseless ammunition the striker pin of the mechanical propellent charge igniter must penetrate into the propellent charge powder body or in the case of an electrical prope...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a weapon system of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, in which the above-discussed deficiencies are eliminated in a simple fashion.

[0009] The respective propellent charge powder body has a firing passage which leads into its interior and which in terms of fluids technology combines with a breech block firing passage which is provided in the breech block and with which the respective igniter element is associated. The igniter elements are provided indexably in the bullet base. In accordance with the invention a conventional propellent charge igniter element which can be a mechanical or an electrical igniter element is advantageously transported separately and fired in a receiving space in the breech block. The firing flame—just as with cased ammunition—is passed to the propellent charge through the firing passage. In that situation the firing flame from the breech block firing passage travels into the firing passage in the propellent charge powder body and to the ancillary or firing booster charge. That affords the advantage that initiation of the respective mechanical or electrical igniter element takes place in the same tried-and-tested manner as in the case of an item of cased ammunition. As in accordance with the invention the respective igniter element preferably has a firing element housing of metal, the firing element housing serves at the same time as a sealing element in relation to the powder gas pressure and protects the striker pin or the electrical firing pin.

[0010] In the event of firing failure there is no need for the entire item of ammunition, that is to say the cartridge, to be discharged, but it is only necessary for the defective firing element to be indexed on and replaced by a new firing element which can then be initiated. A further advantage is that assembly of the firing element into the propellent charge powder body is entirely eliminated. The ammunition can comprise at least two parts such as the propellent charge body and the bullet, and can also be in one piece, that is to say without a case.

Problems solved by technology

The electrical propellent charge igniter is activated in known manner by a piezoelectric spark gap or for example by an electrical energy field, which is more elegant in comparison with mechanical propellent charge ignition; in that case however it is scarcely possible to avoid electrical-engineering problems such as for example the contact resistance of the contacting system or the like.

Further deficiencies of a propellent charge powder body with integrated igniter element are that, besides the above-mentioned technical complication and expenditure, the ammunition must be completely discharged for example in the event of an igniter failure.

That is not without its problems, in particular in the case of possible feed damage.

Discharging signifies a considerable level of complication and expenditure in terms of armament technology and takes time.

In addition the production of the propellent charge igniters for caseless ammunition and the integration thereof in the propellent charge powder body is more complicated and costly than known igniter elements which are fitted in metal.

A further deficiency involves the susceptibility to trouble which is greater than that of cased ammunition.

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