Multi-shot Launcher Comprising External Propellant

Abstract

An underwater gun for firing stacked munitions includes external propellant bays. In some embodiments, after a first munition is launched from the barrel of the launcher, propellant in one of the external propellant bays is ignited. The gas that is generated upon ignition is routed to the bore of the barrel and expels water that is in the barrel. A munition is then immediately launched through the cleared barrel.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH[0001]This invention was made with Government support under N00014-07-C-1103 awarded by the U.S. Navy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to munitions in general, and, more particularly, to weapons capable of launching multiple stacked projectiles underwater.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]FIG. 1 depicts a partial, simplified view of barrel 102 of multi-shot grenade launcher 100. In launcher 100, three grenades 104-1, 104-2, and 104-3 are “stacked” one behind another in barrel 102. Grenade 104-1 is in position 1 (i.e., first to be launched), grenade 104-2 is in position 2 and grenade 104-3 is in position 3 as the third grenade to be launched. This “stacked” grenade launcher technology is available from Metal Storm Inc. as the “3GL” 3-shot semi automatic modular grenade launcher.[0004]Attached to the aft end of each grenade is propulsion base 108. The propulsion ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention provides a way to clear water, between firings, from an underwater multi-shot weapon that launches stacked projectiles at very high velocities.

[0013]To that end, and in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, external propellant bays are disposed outside of the launcher, but are placed in fluidic communication with bore of the barrel through a pressure relief system and several conduits / channels. Each external propellant bay includes propellant that, when ignited, generates a gas. The gas, which is conveyed to the bore of the barrel, raises the pressure in the bore to a level sufficient to expel water therefrom. This provides a brief window of time in which a projectile can be launched.

[0015]When exposed to the pressure in the high-pressure conduit, the second pressure relief device relieves pressure, permitting the gas in the high-pressure conduit to flow (via the channel) to the bore of the launcher. As a consequence, the pressure in the bore rapidly rises to a level that is sufficient to expel water. In the illustrative embodiment, the second pressure relief device is a rupture disc. During launch of a projectile, the second pressure-relief device holds pressure and thereby prevents propellant gas (that is generated during launch of a projectile) from entering the high pressure conduit and it also prevents water that enters bore (after the launch of a projectile) from entering the high pressure conduit.

Problems solved by technology

A gun, especially one that fires a projectile at a high muzzle velocity, cannot be fired when water is in its barrel.

If a firing where to incur in a water-filled barrel, a very high breach pressure would result as the ignited propellant charge forces (or tries to force) the water out of the barrel.

The likely result would be material failure of the barrel.

But in the context of an underwater weapon having a high muzzle-velocity, most prior-art solutions solve one problem—clearing the barrel of water—only to create other problems.

The application of this solution to an underwater gun that fires stacked, “supercavitating” rounds is problematic.

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