ammunition press

Abstract

An ammunition press 1 is used to press out an active unit 31, 41 of a chaff ammunition 30, 40 containing reflective chips or an active unit of a flare ammunition containing pyrotechnic substances. The ammunition press 1 is designed for both a chaff or flare ammunition 30, 40 with a square 1-inch by 1-inch profile and a chaff or flare ammunition 30, 40 with a rectangular 2-inch by 1-inch profile.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an ammunition press for pressing out an active unit of a chaff ammunition, also called chaff ammunition or radar decoy ammunition, comprising reflection chips, or an active unit of a flare ammunition, also called IR decoy ammunition, comprising pyrotechnic substances.

[0002] In NATO, helicopters are equipped with dispensers for chaff and flare munitions. The chaff and flare munitions used have a square profile of 1 inch by 1 inch or a rectangular profile of 2 inches by 1 inch. The chaff or flare munitions each have a radially projecting collar at the fuse-side end on each side of the profile. The chaff or flare munitions each have a recess for a fuse. The fuse can be screwed in and out of the recess.

[0003] DE 10 2004 034 784 A1 shows an ammunition press for pressing out an active unit containing an explosive from a grenade during dismantling.

[0004] DE 30 48 621 A1 shows a chaff ammunition with an active unit containing reflective chips. A square profile ensures good space utilization.

[0005] DE 92 00 809 U1 shows a cartridge press. A hand lever of the cartridge press interacts with a spring-loaded feed plate. The feed plate has a bore through which a press ram passes, which presses the cartridge. When the hand lever is operated, the feed plate clamps, and the press ram is advanced. A spring-loaded stop plate with a bore, through which the press ram also passes, clamps the press ram during a return movement of the hand lever.

[0006] DE 196 43 506 A1 shows another cartridge press, also with a press ram that interacts with a spring-loaded feed plate and a spring-loaded stopper plate. The press ram is designed as a rack, and the feed plate and stopper plate have corresponding teeth. When the hand lever is operated, the press ram moves along the meshing feed plate. When the hand lever is returned, the stopper plate ensures that the press ram maintains its position.

[0007] A YouTube website (https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v±gyxuxAgIRnY NEW Pile Driver Bullet Puller from Frankford Arsenal (accessed on May 19, 2025)) shows a cartridge disassembly device.

[0008] DE 42 27 932 A1 shows a device for removing grenade guide rings.

[0009] DE 201 05 954 U1 shows a press for removing fired primers from cartridge cases.

[0010] DE 296 01 851 U1 shows an ejection device for primers.

[0011] WO 2008 / 084 463 A1 shows a disassembly device for cartridges.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of creating an easy-to-use tool for removing an active unit from a chaff or flare ammunition.

[0013] This object is achieved according to the invention by an ammunition press having the features of claim 1.

[0014] The advantages achieved by the invention are that the ammunition press can be used to quickly and easily press out an active unit of a chaff ammunition containing reflective chips or an active unit of a flare ammunition containing pyrotechnic substances.

[0015] The ammunition press has a holder for the chaff ammunition or flare ammunition. The holder comprises a U-profile rail. The U-profile rail has an opening side for inserting the chaff ammunition or flare ammunition. The U-profile rail has a connecting web opposite the opening side. The U-profile rail has side webs arranged at the ends of the connecting web. The connecting web and the side webs each have a groove, each of which corresponds to one of the collars of a chaff ammunition or flare ammunition. A groove and a corresponding collar form a positive connection between the U-profile rail and a chaff or flare ammunition. This positive connection ensures that the chaff or flare ammunition is securely held when the active unit is pressed out. The ammunition press has a press ram with a press head. The igniter is unscrewed so that the press ram has access to the active charge.In the extrusion position, the center axis of the recess runs coaxially with the center axis of the press ram. This ensures that the press ram occupies the space of the igniter and can transfer the pressing force to the active charge.

[0016] The ammunition press is extended in the pressing direction by a protective cone. In the case of a flare ammunition containing pyrotechnic substances, the protective cone ensures high safety when extruding the active unit, even if the pyrotechnic substances ignite. In the case of a chaff ammunition containing reflective shreds, the protective cone ensures that the reflective shreds do not disperse into the environment if the active unit is damaged. The protective cone has a shaft that is attached to the U-profile rail via a detachable connection. The shaft ensures good handling.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ammunition press is designed like a cartridge press. This allows for a simple construction.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shaft of the protective funnel surrounds the U-shaped rail, forming a cover for the opening side of the U-shaped rail. This design is cost-effective.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the press head has radially hinged elements for reducing the surface pressure on the active unit.

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, each of which shows, as schematic diagrams: Fig. 1 an ammunition press holding a flare ammunition with a larger rectangular profile of 1 inch by 2 inches, without a protective cone shown, in a perspective view; Fig. 2 which in Fig. 1 shows the ammunition press, which now holds a flare ammunition with a smaller square profile of 1 inch by 1 inch, with a protective funnel drawn in, in a perspective view.

[0021] The Fig. 1 shows an ammunition press 1. The ammunition press 1 holds a pyrotechnic flare ammunition 30 with a rectangular cross-section measuring 2 inches by 1 inch. The ammunition press 1 serves to press out an active unit containing pyrotechnic substances. The flare ammunition 30 has a recess 32 for an igniter. The flare ammunition 30 is in a igniter-free state to provide access to the active unit 31. The ammunition press 1 has a holder for the flare ammunition 30. The holder comprises a U-profile rail 10. The U-profile rail 10 has an opening side 11 through which the flare ammunition 30 is inserted. The U-profile rail 10 has a connecting web 12 opposite the opening side 11. The U-profile rail 10 has side webs 13 arranged at the end of the connecting web 12. The connecting web 12 and the opening side 11 have a length of 1 inch. The side webs have a length of 2 inches.Accordingly, the U-shaped profile rail provides space for the 2-inch by 1-inch ammunition. The connecting web 12 and the side webs 13 each have a groove. The flare ammunition 30 has a radially projecting collar at the igniter end on each profile side. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that the groove 12a forms a positive fit with the collar 36 of the flare munition 30. The positive fit between the corresponding grooves and collars ensures secure clamping of the flare munition 30 and reliable support against the pressing forces.

[0022] The ammunition press 1 has a press ram 20 with a press head 21. In the pressing-out position, the center axis 32a of the recess 32 runs coaxially with the center axis 20a of the press ram 20, so that the press ram 20 takes the place of the igniter and thereby gains access to the active unit 31 to apply the pressing force.

[0023] The ammunition press 1 is designed like a cartridge press. A hand lever 2 of the cartridge press 1 interacts with a spring-loaded feed plate 3. The feed plate 3 can be locked with the press ram 20, which presses the active charge 31. Upon actuation of the hand lever 2, the feed plate 3 locks, and the press ram 20 and the active unit 31 are advanced. A spring-loaded stopper plate 3 also interacts with the press ram 20. The stopper plate 3 locks the press ram 20 during a return movement of the hand lever 2. The locking of the feed plate 3 or the stopper plate 4 can be achieved via a frictional connection, for example, by jamming, or via a positive connection, for example, via engaging teeth.

[0024] The Fig. 2 shows the ammunition press 1 with further details. In contrast to the Fig. 1, the ammunition press 1 now holds a pyrotechnic flare ammunition 40 with a smaller square cross-section measuring 1 inch by 1 inch. The flare ammunition 40 with the smaller cross-section also has a recess 42 for an igniter. Likewise, the flare ammunition 40 is in a igniter-free state to provide access to the active unit 41. The flare ammunition 40 has a radially projecting collar at the igniter-side end on each profile side. Fig. 2 illustrates that the groove 12a corresponds to the collar 46 of the flare ammunition 40 and forms a form fit that supports the pressing forces.

[0025] Even in the case of the flare ammunition 40, which is half the size in profile, the central axis 42a of the recess 42 runs coaxially with the central axis 20a of the press ram 20. As a result, the press ram 20 takes the place of the igniter and gains access to the active unit 41 in order to apply the pressing force.

[0026] The ammunition press 1 is extended in the pressing direction by a protective funnel 5. The protective funnel 5 has, in addition to a funnel section 5b, a shaft 5a, which is attached to the U-profile rail 10 via a detachable connection (not shown). The funnel section 5b is in Fig. 2 drawn interrupted and slightly longer than the active unit 41.

[0027] The shaft 5a of the protective funnel 5 engages around the U-profile rail 10, forming a cover for the opening side 11 of the U-profile rail 10.

[0028] A hold-down device 6 resiliently bridges a free space within the U-profile rail 10 and thus secures the flare ammunition 40 of the smaller profile of 1 inch by 1 inch against slipping during the pressing out of the active unit 41. The hold-down device 6 is not required for the flare ammunition 31 of the larger, rectangular profile because the protective funnel 5 engages around the U-profile rail 10 in such a way that the flare ammunition 40 of the larger second profile is held flush in the U-profile rail 10.

[0029] Functional sequence: A helicopter maneuver takes place. A flare munition 40 is deployed. Unexploded ordnance is encountered. The unexploded ordnance may not be transported: Therefore, the unexploded ordnance is examined and rendered harmless on site. The active unit 41 is pressed out using the ammunition press 1. In preparation, the igniter is unscrewed from the flare munition 40. The flare munition 40 is inserted over the open side 11 of the U-profile rail 10. This is followed by a hold-down device 6. The protective cone 5 is mounted. For this purpose, a shaft 5a of the protective cone 5 is detachably attached to the U-profile rail 10. The shaft 5a of the protective cone 5 engages around the U-profile rail, forming a cover for the opening side of the U-profile rail. The hand lever 2 is operated, and the active unit 41 is pressed out.

[0030] In deviation from the illustrated embodiments, numerous modifications are possible: • The Ammunition Press 1 can also be used for chaff ammunition with a 1 inch by 1 inch profile and a 1 inch by 2 inch profile. • The Fig. The hold-down device 6 indicated in Figure 2 is dispensable. For this purpose, for example, the side bars 13 would have to be designed to be only 1 inch high. Furthermore, the shaft 5a of the protective cone 5 would have to be designed so that, in a first locking position, it grips a 1-inch by 1-inch ammunition flush without play, and in a second locking position, it grips a 2-inch by 1-inch ammunition flush without play, in order to securely hold the 30, 40 ammunition of the two differently sized profiles. • The press head 21 could have radially hinged elements to reduce the surface pressure on the active unit 31, 41. List of reference symbols 1 ammunition press 2 hand levers 3 feed plate 4 stopper plate 5 protective funnels 5a shaft 5b funnel section 6 hold-down clamps 10 U-profile rail 11 Opening side 12 connecting bridge 12a groove 13 Side bridge 20 press rams 20a center axis 21 Press head 30 ammunition 31 active units 32 recess for lighter 32a center axis 33 housings 36 a covenant 40 ammunition 41 active units 42 Recess for lighter 43 housings 46 bundle

Claims

[1] Munitions press (1) for pressing out a reflective fragment-containing action unit of a chaff munition or a pyrotechnic substance-containing action unit (31,41) of a flare munition (30, 40), wherein the chaff munition or the flare munition (30, 40) • have a square profile of 1 inch × 1 inch or a rectangular profile of 2 inches × 1 inch, • each profile side has a radially projecting collar (36, 46) at the igniter-side end, • have a recess (32, 42) for a lighter, • are in the position of being pressed out in a primerless state, and wherein the ammunition press (1) comprises the following features: a) the ammunition press (1) has a receptacle for chaff ammunition or flare ammunition (30, 40), b) the mounting includes a U-profile rail (10), c) the U-profile rail (10) includes an opening side (11) for inserting the chaff ammunition or the flare ammunition (30, 40), d) the U-profile rail (10) has a connecting web (12) opposite the opening side (11), e) the U-profile rail (10) has side webs (13) arranged at each end of the connecting web (12), f) the connecting bridge (12) and the side bridges (13) each have a groove (12a) which, in a position of being pressed out, each corresponds to one of the frets (36, 46) of a chaff ammunition or flare ammunition (30, 40), g) the ammunition press (1) has a press ram (20) with a press head (21), h) in the extrusion position, the central axis (32a) of the recess runs coaxially to the central axis (20a) of the press ram (20), i) the ammunition press (1) is extended in the pressing direction by a protective funnel (5); j) the protective funnel (5) has a shaft (5a) which is attached to the U-profile rail (10) via a detachable connection. [2] Ammunition press (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ammunition press (1) is designed in the manner of a cartridge press. [3] Ammunition press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft (5a) of the protective funnel (5) surrounds the U-profile rail (10) forming a cover for the opening side of the U-profile rail (10). [4] Munitions press (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the press head (21) has radially hinged elements to reduce the surface pressure on the working unit (31, 41).

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