Turret Mount for a 12.7mm Aircraft Four-Barrel Machine Gun with a Rotating Barrel Block

Abstract

The utility model relates to rotating support devices for large-caliber small arms, specifically turret mounts mounted on a vehicle platform. The technical challenge lies in the lack of technical solutions to minimize the tilting moment and prevent jamming of the ammunition belt during high rates of fire from an aircraft machine gun mounted on a vehicle.The technical result is achieved by the proposed turret mount for a 12.7-mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating barrel block, which includes a main support and a swing frame. According to the utility model, the swing frame's swing axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the machine gun's lower barrel bore. The machine gun's mounting means are designed as open mounting slots on the frame and a quick-release cover that secures the machine gun in said slots. The ammunition feed means additionally comprises a box, a flexible sleeve, and a rotating roller on a bearing support, located in the box at the sleeve attachment point. This technical solution eliminates the technical problem of vertical barrel deflection and jamming of the ammunition belt at any aiming angle and during vibration, and facilitates the fulfillment of requirements for the accuracy and precision of fire at aerial targets. The utility model is industrially applicable, and its effectiveness has been confirmed by full-scale testing.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of technology to which the utility model relates

[0002] This utility model relates to weapons technology, specifically to rotating support devices and turrets for mounting large-caliber small arms on vehicles. It is primarily intended for mobile fire teams engaged in countering aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0003] 2. State of the Art

[0004] A turret mount for the 12.7 mm YakB-12.7 aircraft four-barrel machine gun is known from the prior art, mounted on the chassis of a wheeled vehicle and used by Russian mobile fire teams in 2024. See, for example, the publication “The Riddle of the YakB-12.7: How a Machine Gun for Helicopters Became a Weapon Against Drones” [https: / / dzen.ru / a / Z06r0s124CdGIq9C], December 3, 2024, as well as video materials from AFV Recognition, November 2024. [https: / / avatars.dzeninfra.ru / get-zen_doc / 271828 / pub_674eabd2cd76e0274622af42_674ebb173ada4a4895ef6228 / orig]. The specified installation, hereinafter referred to as the analogue, is characterized by the following features:

[0005] - the machine gun is placed on a rotating platform fixed in the vehicle body;

[0006] - the cartridge belt is fed from the standard box;

[0007] - the installation is equipped with an open collimator sight and a thermal imaging camera with image output to the monitor;

[0008] - machine gun weight - 45 kg, rate of fire - 4000-500 rounds / min.

[0009] Disadvantages of the analogue, identified based on the results of its combat use:

[0010] 1. The weapon's geometric axis of swing does not coincide with the bore axis, resulting in a significant recoil force vector. This causes vertical barrel deflection and vehicle platform sway, noticeable even when firing short bursts.

[0011] 2. Mounting the machine gun on the frame usually requires special tools and a significant amount of time, which complicates rapid deployment in the field.

[0012] 3. There is a lack of standardization of mounting positions for additional equipment, sighting and observation systems, and lighting devices, which limits the ability to quickly adapt the installation to various tactical tasks.

[0013] These shortcomings contribute to the main technical drawback of the analogue: reduced accuracy and precision against aerial targets, especially when firing continuously at a high rate and when actively maneuvering fire in a 360-degree arc. No prior art turret mount is known that simultaneously eliminates the overturning moment, ensures reliable belt feed during full rotation, and allows for tool-free installation with the ability to install additional equipment.

[0014] The technical problem lies in the insufficient development of technical solutions that ensure the preservation of the accuracy and precision of fire, the elimination of vertical deviation of the barrels and the rocking of the vehicle platform by aligning the axis of the frame swing with the axis of the lower barrel bore.

[0015] 3. Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

[0016] The task is to develop a technical solution for a turret mount for a 12.7 mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating barrel block, ensuring the preservation of shooting accuracy and precision, eliminating vertical barrel deflection and vehicle platform rocking by aligning the frame's swing axis with the axis of the lower barrel bore.

[0017] 1. The technical result is achieved in that the turret mount for a 12.7-mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating block of barrels, containing a main support (5), mounted on the platform of a vehicle, characterized in that the main support (5) is mounted motionless on the cargo platform of the vehicle, the frame (1) is pivotally connected to the main support (5) by means of swing axes (14), installed coaxially with the axis of the channel of the lower barrel of the machine gun.

[0018] 2. A turret mount for a 12.7 mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating barrel block according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed base (5) is made in the form of a frame structure designed with the possibility of integration with the power elements of the vehicle body by means of M16×155 bolts tightened with a torque wrench.

[0019] This technical result was confirmed by full-scale tests, during which, when firing bursts at targets simulating aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles at a distance of 300 meters, there was no vertical barrel deviation, as recorded by high-speed video recording, and the magazine feed was smooth during a full 360-degree turret rotation. The resulting density of fire from the machine gun guaranteed the destruction of the simulated target.

[0020] The technical result is ensured by the following set of essential design features:

[0021] The turret installation comprises a main support (5), fixedly secured to the cargo platform of the vehicle, and a frame (1), pivotally connected to the main support (5) by means of swing axes (14).

[0022] The frame (1) is made with open mounting grooves, the shape and dimensions of which correspond to the diameter of the cylindrical part of the machine gun body, with an error of 100±1 mm.

[0023] A quick-release cover with tightening bolts is provided to secure the weapon, allowing for tool-free installation of the machine gun.

[0024] The main difference, ensuring improved accuracy and precision, is the frame's geometric pivot axis (1) is aligned with the bore axis of the mounted machine gun. This ensures that the recoil force vector during firing passes through the frame's pivot axis, virtually eliminating the occurrence of tilting moment and vertical barrel rise. This solution directly reduces shell dispersion and improves firing accuracy and precision compared to similar models, where misalignment of the axes causes platform oscillation.

[0025] The ammunition feed system includes a box (6) and a flexible sleeve (11) connecting the box (6) to the machine gun's receiving port. A rotating roller on a bearing support (12) is mounted in the box (6) at the attachment point of the flexible sleeve (11), as shown in detail in Fig. 4. The roller (12) guides the 12.7x108 mm cartridge belt, preventing it from jamming or overlapping during intensive selection during 360-degree rotation of the turret. Unlike its analogue, where the belt is subject to twisting, this arrangement of the roller (12) guarantees trouble-free feeding of the machine gun at any rotation angle, which also contributes to maintaining the accuracy and precision of fire due to the uniformity of the ammunition feed.

[0026] The trigger electric circuit is powered by the vehicle's 24 V electrical system and includes a four-pin relay (20) with a current of 20 A and a switch (22), which ensures reliable operation of the machine gun's electric trigger (9).

[0027] To protect the shooter, a protective screen (10) is installed in the area where spent cartridges and belt links are extracted.

[0028] The frame (1) is equipped with unified Picatinny rails: upper (3), under-barrel (7), vertical (4), which allow the mounting of various sighting and observation systems, lighting devices and other equipment without modification of the installation, shown in Fig. 1, 2, 3, positions 3, 4, 7.

[0029] The combination of the listed features, not known from the prior art, allows us to conclude that the utility model is novel.

[0030] 4. Brief description of drawings and other graphic materials

[0031] The drawings shown are:

[0032] Fig. 1, 2, 3 - general view of the turret mount with the main elements indicated:

[0033] 1 - frame;

[0034] 2 - anti-aircraft sight;

[0035] 3 - Picatinny rail;

[0036] 4 - vertical Picatinny rail;

[0037] 5 - main support;

[0038] 6 - ​​box;

[0039] 7 - Picatinny underbarrel rail;

[0040] 8 - hand rests;

[0041] 9 - electric trigger;

[0042] 10 - protective screen.

[0043] Fig. 4:

[0044] 11 - flexible sleeve;

[0045] 12 - rotating roller on bearing support;

[0046] 13 - gutter.

[0047] Fig. 5:

[0048] 14 - swing axes;

[0049] 15 - fixing bolt.

[0050] Fig. 6:

[0051] 16 - protrusions for mounting a machine gun.

[0052] Fig. 7:

[0053] 17 - slots for mounting a machine gun.

[0054] Fig. 8:

[0055] 18 - fastener M16×155.

[0056] Fig. 9:

[0057] installation view of the M16×155 fastener (18) to the main support (5).

[0058] Fig. 10 - electrical circuit diagram of the descent circuit with the main elements indicated:

[0059] 19 - electric trigger connector (9);

[0060] 20 - 4-pin relay, 24 V, 20 A;

[0061] 21 - body socket;

[0062] 22 - power switch;

[0063] 23 - weight on turret mount;

[0064] 24 - power button.

[0065] The features of the utility model are clearly shown in the drawings.

[0066] 5. Implementation of the utility model

[0067] The turret body is welded from St3 sheet and profile steel. The pivot pins (14) are machined on a lathe and welded to the frame stay (1). Welds are made using gas-shielded arc welding in accordance with GOST 14771-76. After welding, the pivot pin seats are machined to ensure alignment with the machine gun's lower barrel bore axis.

[0068] The main support (5) is installed in the truck body, such as a Ural, so that the eight mounting holes align with the body's crossbars. It is secured with M16×155 bolts and tightened with a torque wrench.

[0069] The YakB-12.7 machine gun, weighing 45 kg, fits into the open mounting slots of the frame (1). The frame cover (1) is placed on top, and the tension bolts / fasteners are tightened sequentially, ensuring a uniform, uneven fit.

[0070] Ammunition, a 500-round B-32 / BZT-44 belt, is stored in a box (6) with a flexible sleeve (11) for feeding the belts. A rotating roller on a bearing support (12) is mounted in the box (6) where it connects to the flexible sleeve (11). The belt passes through the box (6), bends around the roller (12), and is fed through the flexible sleeve (11) into the machine gun's receiving port. This configuration prevents the belt from jamming or overlapping during any rotation of the turret.

[0071] A thermal imaging sighting system is mounted on the Picatinny rail (3), the monitor is displayed in the shooter’s line of sight.

[0072] The electric trigger (9) is connected via a connector (19) to the body socket (21) of the vehicle’s on-board network, 24 V, via a four-pin 20 A relay (20) and a switch (22).

[0073] The installation can be made using commonly available metalworking and welding tools without the use of specialized industrial equipment, which confirms the possibility of its implementation in the field.

[0074] Field test results. The tests involved firing at targets simulating fixed-wing drones at a distance of 300 meters. High-speed video recording confirmed a complete absence of vertical barrel deflection during burst firing. The belt feed was smooth throughout the turret's full 360-degree rotation. The recorded projectile dispersion was significantly lower than that of a known analogue.

[0075] The technical problem has been solved and the technical result has been achieved.

[0076] The technical solution helps to ensure the preservation of the accuracy and precision of fire, eliminating the vertical deviation of the barrels and the rocking of the vehicle platform by aligning the swing axis of the frame with the axis of the lower barrel bore.

Claims

1. A turret mount for a 12.7 mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating barrel block, comprising a main support mounted on a vehicle platform, characterized in that the main support is mounted immovably on the vehicle's cargo platform, the frame is pivotally connected to the main support by means of swing axes installed coaxially with the axis of the machine gun's lower barrel bore.

2. A turret mount for a 12.7 mm aircraft four-barrel machine gun with a rotating barrel block according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed base is made in the form of a frame structure designed with the possibility of integration with the power elements of the vehicle body by means of M16×155 bolts tightened with a torque wrench.

Images