Ammunition supply system

Abstract

In order avoid ammunition feed from within a protective cell of a turret (1) or an ammunition magazine, a type of ammunition supply system (6) is disposed around the entire or partial circumference of the turret (1). The ammunition supply system (6) has at least one ammunition channel (10, 11) filled with ammunition (5), whereby a drive (13) is incorporated for the transport of the ammunition (5), if the weapon (3) is not designed to pull the ammunition (5) by itself. In this case, an endless chain (12) works together with the drive (13), wherein the endless chain is movable in two axes. This endless chain enables transport of the ammunition (5) around the radii (R) of the turret (1).

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2007 041 294.2, filed Aug. 31, 2007, and on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 986,144, filed Nov. 7, 2007, and the entire disclosures of both documents are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a type of ammunition supply system that replaces a conventional ammunition magazine as a rotating ammunition feed around the turret.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Ammunition magazines, or the like, for the acceptance of ammunition, wherein the magazines are accommodated in the vicinity of the turret or in the turret itself, are known. Thus, DE 195 26 664 A1 discloses a turret for a tank that is provided with a weapon and a magazine. The mounting of an ammunition magazine laterally on a gun mount is shown in DE 101 60 216 C1. An ammunition magazine that, in practice, is preferably arranged behind the turret is described in more detail in DE 10 2004 031 773 B3....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the components usually disposed in the turret, but which do not need to be within the direct reach of the operator, are likewise placed on the outside of the turret between the protected cell and, if present, the protective casing. In this way, protection of these components is guaranteed by the protective casing disposed around the ammunition without using the protective cell to protect these components.

[0012]Moreover, by dividing-up of the protection of different components of the turret, an advantage is achieved in that different protection combinations are possible. Depending on the level of protection required, an improved protection of the protected cell is achieved wherein a simpler level of protection of the ammunition is provided while full protection is created for the crew. In this way, a minimally required level of protection is employed for the ammunition. On the other hand, crew protection is maintained and the weight of the turret overall can be reduced. Thus, the levels of protection inside (i.e., the protected cell) and outside (i.e., portions outside of the protected cell) of the turret are variable, but can be adjusted in coordination with one another.

Problems solved by technology

However, large turrets have the disadvantage that they themselves are heavy and must be armored for the protection of the crew, which additionally increases the weight of the turret.

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