DE3943846C2 - Light weight field howitzer - Google Patents

Abstract

The light weight field howitzer includes a barrel (101) which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members (119,119A) and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing (113) secured to a chassis (117). The trunnion bearing (113) lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilisers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades (106) are rigidly but removably secured to the chassis. The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement (136,177,185,130,189,119) constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating device (Figure (7) not shown)is provided comprising a geared manual device (115,116,153,149,139) assisted by a precompressed gas system (114,119A). Hydraulically pivoted wheels and a pivotted towing lunette may be provided and the howitzer may be split easily into units which can be carried by a light helicopter.

Description

The invention relates to field howitzers and is particularly concerned with the application of development paths and philosophies in field howitzers, which are usually not used in field artillery to provide weapons that are absolutely minimal Weight, but they are all necessary for such equipment Maintain features such as range, reliability, accuracy, rate of fire, Stability, robustness of the construction etc.

Rapid deployment troops are generally envisaged and it is desirable that Selection of available equipment for such troops as large as possible to design. There is therefore a need for that available to these troops Equipment also includes field artillery.

Newton's third law of motion stipulates that there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action. Therefore, recoil is a particular problem for howitzers who can fire heavy projectiles over a long distance. One way to minimize the recoil problem is to provide a heavy weapon. However, the main purpose of the present invention is to minimize weight, which is why it is an object of the present invention to derive the recoil forces on a light weapon by a combination of

• a) an optimized recoil buffer efficiency,
• b) a new development concept, through the resulting recoil forces directly can be derived from spurs via damped, energy-absorbing devices.

For a conventional field howitzer that can be lifted into the air, can be removed from the air and should also be relatively easy to move around a battlefield is a relative light, although still robust chassis required. To increase stability and one way of distributing the recoil forces is by spreading provision of a pair of carriage feet with spurs at the further ends, the purpose of which Spurs is that they dig into the ground and thus absorb the recoil forces. Despite this construction, such conventional field howitzers are far too heavy, than being carried by small or medium-sized lifting helicopters that could be used near an actual battle area.

NATO is in the process of making weapons and ammunition systems into a single caliber standardize. There is therefore a need for an ultra-lightweight version  the standard 155mm howitzer, which is the only unit of one Combat helicopter can be transported.

DE-AS 12 99 234 discloses a howitzer with a chassis, a frame, a barrel carried by the frame so that it is a result of recoil is movable when firing from a first to a second position, and one Pin support construction that is fixed to the chassis and a pin bearing contains, on which the frame is pivotally attached, the journal bearing on the Barrel axis of the barrel lies.

Starting from this known field howitzer, the present invention the task of a field howitzer with a Propose a basic structure that is as light as possible, It absorbs recoil forces well and is also easy to transport.

This object is achieved by a howitzer according to claim 1 or 2.

Advantageous embodiments of the field howitzer according to the invention are in the Subclaims specified.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the run can be carried out in one Pin support structure to be carried by the frame, the frame made of hollow Elements and the space within the hollow elements entirely or is partially provided as a volume for compressed inert gas, which is part of a single arrangement with hydraulic accumulator of the optionally combined Rebound damping system and return system is.

The hydraulic accumulator arrangement of the combined Rebound damping system and return system serves as a spring, some of the Energy of the recoil barrel is absorbed. The absorbed energy is then delivered in a controlled manner to the barrel in the Extend fire position. Hydraulic accumulators work against a given one Volume of compressed inert gas. The spring constant is determined by the Volume of gas and the extent to which it is reduced by compression, caused by the volume of hydraulic fluid caused by the recoil is moved. To provide a relatively uniform spring constant, a large glass volume required compared to the volume of displaced fluid. Because it is desirable that the barrel have as long a recoil as possible, a must quite a large volume of hydraulic fluid to be moved, which is why such a large one Glass volume as possible is required. Because the weight is thicker, pressure-resistant gas cylinder is too large, the gas volume can be below  Using the holes from two of e.g. B. four hollow structural members can be used, which form the gun frame (gun cradle). unifying Passages can be provided so that the gas pressure between the two members can be balanced if necessary.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the field howitzer contains one Height adjustment device for swiveling the barrel around a horizontal axis, wherein the height adjustment device has a manually operable gearwheels May contain facility that is supported by pre-compressed gas.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the howitzer run is like this attached that it is out of balance or out of balance, the extent of Support provided by the pre-compressed gas is sufficient to do that Essentially balance barrel weight due to its positive imbalance.

Preferably, the barrel weight is balanced by gas springs made up of cylinders are formed, which are pressurized by an inert gas container, which on pistons acts in the cylinders. In the case where the frame is made of hollow elements is built up, the space within the hollow elements can be wholly or partially be provided to provide the volume for the gas. If some of the for example four hollow elements of the frame for the combined Rebound damping / return system can be used, as explained above is, the remaining hollow elements for the gas for the height adjustment device be used. The gas connection between the hollow elements and the Cylinders of the gas springs can either be flexible, pressure-resistant Pipes or a bore along the axis of the piston rods of the pistons done, the other ends of the rods being fixed to the hollow elements are connected. The actual height adjustment of the barrel is made using a gear - or gear drive achieved using a handwheel, but this requires minimal physical effort due to the balancing effect. The gas springs can optionally also contain hydraulic fluid.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the Height adjustment device on a guide screw, which is essentially on a End is pivotally attached and along which a nut can be screwed, this Nut is fixed relative to the frame for the barrel of the howitzer, but is rotatable, so that the resulting translational movement of the mother along the Guide screw reaches that the frame in the direction of rotation around the journal bearing is movable, whereby the barrel of the howitzer can be raised or lowered.  

The nut is preferably easy to move, for example by means of a handwheel and a gear (by means of gears) and is a reverse lock device intended.

It is particularly preferred that the substantially pivotally attached end of the Guide screw is provided with a flexible, adjustable fastening, with i) a spring device which is aligned parallel to the axis of the guide screw and ii) a damping device, the spring constant, the preload and the movement resistance achieved by the damping device, are adjustable to achieve an adjustable system. Preferably there is Spring from a series of disc or disc springs and is the Damping device is a hydraulic damping device.

Show it:

Fig. 1 in side view of an ultra lightweight field howitzer 155 mm according to the invention in fire-ready position,

Fig. 2 in side view, the field howitzer in accordance with Fig. 1 in schleppbarem state,

Fig. 3 in the supervisory field howitzer in accordance with Fig. 1 in feuerbereitem state,

Fig. 4 shows a cross section through barrel and the frame of the field howitzer according to FIGS. 1 to 4,

Fig. 5 shows schematically the effect of the rear shock absorber and the retractor of the field howitzer according to FIGS. 1 to 4,

Fig. 6 is a side view of the height adjusting mechanism of the howitzer according to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The invention shows an innovative concept in the development of field howitzers. The main idea behind the development is to create an ultra-lightweight version of the usual site-NATO 155mm artillery weapon. This development process has led to the achievement of a large number of innovative features including the following features, either alone or in any combination of at least two of them:

• 1. the use of hollow interiors of structural parts that make up the frame form in order to achieve additional accumulator gas volume,
• 2. Balance the barrel using gas cylinders and one Pressurized gas container in the hollow interior of other construction parts,
• 3. a damped height adjustment system,
• 4. extensive use of lightweight materials such as titanium alloys and Aviation technology.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of the ultralight field howitzer according to the invention.

Some features of the development are now individual or related Groups explained.

The most easily recognizable feature of the lightweight development is its low overall height compared to the traditional approach. The key factor in development is the distance 102 of the barrel axis 101 A of the barrel 101 in the horizontal position, which is approximately 650 mm above the ground level. The apparent as the next feature is that the journal bearing 113 is of the pin support structure 124 on the back of the outermost recoil position of the barrel 101 and is located on the barrel axis 101 A. This makes the development a mixture of a conventional field howitzer and a mine thrower. As shown by focus 109 , there is a positive imbalance.

It is a common development criterion that the designs should be stable over the entire range of operating conditions. However, it is a special and novel feature of the present invention that a positive imbalance is provided. Because of the very low weight of this field howitzer, it is essential that what is weight be used most effectively in the most difficult mode, namely firing. Therefore, the development is made in such a way that the center of gravity 109 is arranged as far as possible in front of the journal bearing 113 , that is to say that as far as possible a positive unbalance is achieved, as is practically possible, in order to avoid the overturning effect by the rotary component 108 T of the recoil counteract. Although the result of this development philosophy is the need to provide front stabilizers 110 to achieve stability in fire-free modes, the benefit ultimately achieved is very significant. Extensive studies showing a range of options that the embodiment shown the best compromise between weight saving of the entire field howitzer (ie, after allowing for a weight front stabilizer 110) and minimizing the rotary component 108 T.

The pin support structure 124 is supported by a chassis 117 . These two constructions are made from lightweight, high-strength alloys in which metals such as titanium, magnesium and aluminum etc. are essential components. Other high strength lightweight materials, e.g. B. reinforced by glass and carbon fibers plastics can be used if suitable. The development of the trunnion support structure 124 and chassis 117 uses procedures that are not typically associated with artillery weapons to achieve robust, lightweight components.

The underside of the chassis 117 is convex, so that it rests naturally on all common types of surfaces in order to achieve a stable three-point mounting with the front stabilizers 110 . Rear mount support legs 104 are mounted 104 A via a pivot connection at the rear of the chassis 117th In these pivotal connections 104 A are also self-burrowing Spurs 106 included. The type of linkage is such that the backward and forward components of the recoil forces achieve that the spurs 106 lock against the back of the chassis 117 , that is, that the spurs 106 are fixed to the chassis 117 and not removed Points are arranged which reach a connection via comparatively flexible carriage support legs 4 .

The front stabilizers 110 are used to counteract the unbalance of the howitzer. Therefore, in the normal fire-ready position, there is a stable three-point support, which is achieved by the chassis 117 and the two feet 111 at the ends of the front stabilizers 110 . The vertical components due to the weight of the howitzer on the chassis 117 and on the front stabilizers 110 are represented by arrows 108 B and 108 D.

The rear mount legs 104 are secured to the body by the joints (swivel connection) 104 A, which also secure the self-digging spurs 106 . Hydraulic dampers (not shown) are built into the joints. With these dampers, hydraulic fluid flows through an opening. Under constant load, the fluid flows through at a constant speed. However, if the load is increased very much, there will only be a minimal increase in fluid flow.

It can be assumed that the recoil force consists of three components, namely
a horizontal component,
a vertical component and
a rotating component 108 T.

Referring to FIG. 1, the horizontal component of the recoil is compensated by the horizontal reaction force 107 of the spurs 106 in the ground. Although no vertical component is created when the field howitzer is fired horizontally, as shown in Fig. 2, the vertical component 108 B becomes the recoil force when the barrel 101 is at an altitude by the vertical reaction from the ground via the convex base into the chassis 117 balanced. The rotating component 108 T is compensated for by the vertical reactions 108 C at the feet 112 at the ends of the rear carriage legs 104 in addition to the unbalance. Since the dampers, not shown, are contained in the joints, the field howitzer tends to turn slightly clockwise ( FIG. 1) when the rotating component 108 T disappears. Once this is done, the field howitzer rotates back onto the front feet 111 under the action of the imbalance, possibly causing the rear feet 112 to lift off the ground. The rear carriage legs 104 then slowly swing down under the control of the dampers, not shown, until the feet 112 rest on the floor.

No dampers are included in the joints 110 A for the front stabilizers 110 , however, the front stabilizers 110 can be locked in either the fire position ( FIG. 1) or the pull position ( FIG. 2).

A stable three-point bearing is therefore achieved, both in the fire-ready position and in the recoil state. It should also be noted that spurs 106 are articulated ( 104 A) so that the horizontal and vertical components of the recoil act to "lock" them in their effective position. Any rotation of the howitzer due to the rotating component 108 T is therefore likely to occur about an axis roughly through the pair of joints 104 A. Because dampers 104 A are used in these joints, their action protects the rear mount legs 104 from excessive loads, so that the frame dimensions of the mount legs 104 can be minimized.

The importance of the fact that spurs 106 are provided which are fixedly connected to the chassis 117 or are immovable should not be underestimated. The horizontal and vertical components of the recoil force can be transmitted directly to the ground via the pin support structure 124 and the chassis 117 because of the horizontal and vertical reaction forces. This is why these recoil components come directly to the ground via robust constructions. This is in marked contrast to conventional field howitzers, in which the horizontal component passes through long, flexible carriage legs. The release of the strain energy in these compliant mount legs corresponds to a second recoil and the combined effect is that the howitzer moves violently around. In contrast, any recoil to the ultralight field howitzer according to the invention causes spurs 106 and chassis 117 to achieve a much more stable base, combined with a low degree of rotation due to the effect of the torque.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a frame 119 or a tubular cradle which carries the barrel 101 . The frame 119 has a rear end which is pivotally mounted about the pivot bearing 113 (see FIGS . 1, 2 and 3). The frame 119 consists of four hollow tubes 119 and 119 A, which are held in position by cross members 125 and 126 . The barrel 101 can move axially within the frame 119 ( 101 A) by means of lugs 127 that slide in cutouts 128 in the links 126 . The internal volumes of the hollow tubes 119 and 119 A are denoted by 129 and 129A, respectively. These internal volumes 129 , 129 A have been cleaned and checked for conditions as defined for pressure vessels. Cross connections, not shown, in the cross members 125 connect the pairs of the inner volumes 129 and 129 A. Similar connections can also be provided in the cross members 126 if necessary.

When the howitzer is fired, chemical energy is released to a large extent, as a result of which the barrel 101 quickly moves backwards from a first position to a second position. The recoil energy is absorbed in several ways, the main ones of which are:

• a) by the muzzle brake 118 ( Fig. 3)
• b) in recoil damping and return systems
• c) by spurs 106 and carriage legs 104 .

Muzzle brakes 118 are standard equipment on numerous gun barrels. They consist of a series of angled baffle plates, which are firmly connected to the barrel and which deflect the exhaust gas backwards and thus exert a braking effect on the backward movement of the barrel. Depending on the angle of the baffle plates and other factors, the size and effectiveness of the braking effect can be changed. In this case, the muzzle brake 118 is selected such that, together with the construction of the recoil buffer and support geometry, the recoil energy is dissipated in the most compatible manner.

Conventional recoil systems use a recoil damper and a recuperator on each side of the barrel to symmetrically dissipate the recoil energy, that is, four cylinders in total. In the present invention, the recoil damper and the recuperator ( FIG. 5) can be combined in a single cylinder, so that only two cylinders are provided, namely one on each side of the barrel 101 . This further contributes to the overall weight saving of the howitzer.

When the howitzer is fired, barrel 101 recoils to the right ( FIG. 5) and lugs 127 forcefully move pistons 136 in cylinders 177 via rods 134 . Perforated sleeves 174 are in the cylinder 177 such that the movement of the pistons 136 ensures that hydraulic fluid in the central volume 173 of the cylinders 177 forcibly enters the annular spaces 175 via the perforated sleeves 174 and in this way reaches an accumulator 130 via pipes 185 , 186 , The perforations in the sleeves 174 are not uniform, but decrease in number and / or size from left to right ( FIG. 5). Therefore, when the pistons 136 move to the right ( FIG. 5), the number and size of the holes through which the hydraulic fluid can flow is reduced, which increases the resistance to a backward movement of the barrel 101 . As a result, by changing the size and / or the number of holes, the recoil characteristics can be changed to meet certain requirements. The rods 134 pass through seals 135 .

Inside an accumulator 130 there is a floating piston 188 with hydraulic fluid 187 on one side and inert gas 131 on the other side. A line 189 connects the accumulator 130 to two of the four tubes 119 (or 119 A) such that the total volume of inert gas to the left ( FIG. 5) of the piston 188 is that in the spaces 131 and internal volume 129 (or 129 A). During the recoil, the substantially incompressible hydraulic fluid is forced out of the central volume 173 through the perforated sleeve 174 to the annulus 175 and then through the pipes 185 , 186 to the space 187 , whereby the piston 188 is forced to the left ( FIG. 5) and the inert gas in space 131 , internal volume 129 (or 129 A) compressed. Since the volume of inert gas, space 131 plus internal volume 129 (or 129 A) is large in comparison with that which is swept by the pistons 136 , the pressure in the accumulator 130 remains fairly constant.

When the howitzer is fired, the pistons 136 are forced to the right ( FIG. 5), increasing the pressure in the central volume 173 . The flow of incompressible fluid through an orifice is proportional to the square root of the pressure differential across it. Therefore, when the pressure difference is doubled, the fluid flow increases by only 41%. Therefore, the action of the recoil damper is such that a high and increasing braking effect opposes the backward movement of the barrel 101 , which progressively brings it to a standstill. In contrast, the effect of the retractor is to return barrel 101 to the firing position at a slow steady speed. This is achieved by taking advantage of the relatively constant pressure difference between that of the inert gas in the space 131 , the inner volume 129 (or 129 A) and in the central volume 173 . Despite the smaller pressure differential, the fluid flows through the perforated sleeves 174 at a suitable speed to move the barrel 101 back to the firing position in time for the next shot. The inert gas in space 131 , internal volume 129 (or 129 A) is precompressed to a suitable pressure, so that under all circumstances, with the exception of recoil, barrel 101 is fully extended regardless of the elevation angle.

Although the use of a hydraulic accumulator 130 on a field howitzer is conventional, the overall size of the accumulator 130 is reduced due to the use of the additional internal volumes 129 (or 129 A) for the gas as a supplement to the space 131 . This achieves further weight savings. Furthermore, due to the larger volume of the pressurized inert gas in the space 131 and in the internal volumes 129 (or 129 A), the reset characteristics are better.

As previously mentioned, the location of the center of gravity 109 for the field howitzer achieves a large imbalance. If only a conventional height adjustment gear (gear) is used, the effort required is very high. In any case, such a transmission would be very heavy and very tedious to use. In order to minimize this effort, height adjustment cylinders 114 ( FIG. 1) are used, which are filled with compressed inert gas in order to achieve a balancing or balancing effect. Again, the gas spring principle is used with the internal volumes 129, 129 A, the other two pipes 119/119 A, so as to achieve an increased volume of gas. By suitably pressurizing the inert gas, the force exerted by the height adjustment cylinders 114 can be adjusted to be approximately equal to the imbalance of the barrel 101 and associated equipment such as 119, 119A, 130, etc. (a small amount of misalignment is preferred). Under these circumstances, the height of the barrel 101 can be adjusted using a lightweight rack using a conventional handwheel, since only a minimal effort is required.

As the elevation angle of barrel 101 increases, the total volume within elevation cylinders 114 and tubes 119 (or 119 A) increases, reducing pressure and the amount of balancing. However, this is largely compensated for by the fact that the raising of the barrel 101 achieves that the center of gravity 109 is moved to the right ( FIG. 1) so that the total unbalance also decreases.

In the particular exemplary embodiment described here, the inner volumes 129 of the two upper tubes 119 are used together with the height adjustment cylinders 114 and the inner volumes 129 A of the two lower tubes 119 A are used as part of the recoil damper. This arrangement is selected in order to achieve the best line of action for the height adjustment cylinders 114 on the barrel / frame arrangement. However, this arrangement can be changed in accordance with special requirements. In the same manner, the 2/2-dividing the internal volumes 129/129 A of Rojhre 119/119 A to be changed, for example, in a split 3/1 or 4/0, depending on the requirements.

Considerable weight savings result from the use of the internal volumes 129/129 in connection with the hydraulic accumulator 130th When these internal volumes 129 A are not used 129 / instead equivalent volumes are required by tough counter-pressure cylinders. Not only would this lead to a pure weight disadvantage for the entire field howitzer, but also lead to problems regarding the physical arrangement of these cylinders. If the cylinders were attached to the barrel, the unbalance and problems with height adjustment would be increased, while an arrangement on the chassis 117 would make access to other components more difficult and could require the use of a larger and therefore heavier chassis.

By using the internal volume 129/129 A of the tubes 119/119 A only a small or no additional weight penalty is created. The beam portions of the tubes 119/119 A can in consideration of loads and will be charged an appropriate voltage level for the material (including a suitable safety factor) and calculating the desired metal thickness of the desired pipe diameter or determined. Then, from the range of standard thicknesses available for this diameter, the next largest thickness is selected, which results in a further safety range. In this case, the stress in the metal results from the sum of the stress due to the load plus the stress due to the internal pressure. Since the tension due to the internal pressure compared to the loads, e.g. B. bending forces, is very small, it is very likely that an increase in the wall thickness is not required.

As mentioned, the height adjustment gear must be determined so that the load is borne by the total weight of barrel 101 , frame 114 , etc. It must also be sufficiently accurate to set barrel 101 to a precisely determined angle, e.g. B. arc seconds. Obviously, if there were no compensating effect from gas cylinders, the load on the height adjustment gear would be significantly greater, which would require massive gear elements and / or a high transmission ratio. While a high gear ratio enables the angle setting to be accurate, it also results in numerous rotations of the handwheel, which can be very time-consuming, particularly in a combat situation.

The balancing or balancing device has already been explained. The height adjustment mechanism is shown in Fig. 6. It essentially consists of a lead screw 139 which is pivotally attached to the pin support structure 124 at its right end ( FIG. 6) and passes through a main elevator gear device 148 near its left end. The main elevator gear 148 is rigidly connected to the tubes 119 , 119 A (these are the non-moving parts of the barrel support 101 ) with a reset gear 147 articulated to the post support structure 124 at 147A and arranged such that the Guide screw 139 is parallel to the barrel axis 101 A of the barrel 101 and preferably vertically below this. The lead screw 139 passes through a roller nut 149 in the main elevator gear 148 so that when the roller nut 149 rotates, the main elevator gear 148 slides along the lead screw 139 in the direction shown by arrows 155 . However, since both the main height adjustment gear 148 and the reset gear 147 are clearly defined, the result is that the barrel 101 and the tubes 119 , 119 A are height adjusted (raised or lowered), that is, an angular movement about the horizontal axis is caused by the Pin bearing 113 goes and around the hinge 147 A to keep the axis 101 A of the barrel 101 parallel to that of the guide screw 139 .

The height adjustment device consists of, in this order, a height adjustment handwheel 115 , bevel gears 156 , a height adjustment manual drive 116 , bevel gears 152 , an input shaft 153 , bevel gears 150 and the roller nut 149 . The guide screw 139 is arranged in bearings 154 just as the input shaft 153 rotates in such bearings 154 . A reverse lock 151 acts on the input shaft 153 to maintain the height angle once set.

The right-hand end ( FIG. 6) of the guide screw 139 is fastened by means of a flexible, adjustable arrangement in order to protect the height adjustment system against shock loads after firing. A threaded section 140 is provided near the end of the guide screw 139 , on which a counterpressure nut 142 and a locking nut 141 are secured. The counterpressure nut 142 is supported on a spring device, ie a series of disc springs 143 , which in turn are arranged on a stationary counterpressure member 144 . The end of the lead screw 139 terminates in a piston 145 (or an opening) in a container filled with hydraulic fluid 146. A cylinder 146th This arrangement constitutes a hydraulic damper. Therefore, by adjusting the stiffness of the spring means and the size of the opening 145 to change the damping characteristic, the reset gear device 147 can be tuned to dampen any movement of the barrel 101 after firing and at the same time the height adjustment system in general and that To protect guide screw 139 in particular. Friction damping can be used instead of a hydraulic damper 145 , 146 , 146 A.

To fire the howitzer, the altitude is therefore set by means of the height adjustment handwheel 115 . After firing, barrel 101 recoils and the height adjustment mass moves back and forth, causing guide screw 139 to move axially (arrow 155 ) relative to reset gear device 147 . This achieves a compression or relaxation of the spring device until this movement stops due to the action of the damper 145 , 146 , 146 A and the spring device returns to the original length, whereby the barrel height adjustment returns to that before firing.

The discharge (firing at) of a howitzer and its recoil are violent Operations, however, can be done by carefully aligning the recoil and through Allow limited cushioned freedom of movement by means of these processes lightweight links are controlled compared to arrangements where there is a rigid attachment. Therefore, the embodiment achieves one lightweight cushioned height adjustment system together with a  balanced or balanced system compared to a total weight saving a conventional construction with a rigid gear arch, pinion and Transmission device. In addition, the lighter system is more accurate, has better Responsiveness and is also physically easier to use.

The present invention relates to a number of radical innovations compared to standard devices in the field artillery. The essential reason for existence of the development according to the invention lies in the saving of weight and thus in the creation of an ultra-light-weight field howitzer. Although solving this problem has resulted in the addition of new additional components, such as. B. the front stabilizers 110 , the bottom line is actually the creation of a new concept for an ultra-light weight howitzer. In addition, this creates a much lower part of the field artillery, which is consequently much easier to hide on a battlefield.

During the description was made on the use of lighter and stronger materials Referred. To be considered one of the most outstanding in this class of metals Titan and its alloys are widely used as far as the voltage level is concerned allow this. If constructions based on the principles at the Aviation technology can be developed through combinations of Lightness and strength, this is how they are used. To these principles One of the components is to use two or more tasks at the same time able to fulfill.

Although the line of sight is directed towards the creation of a field howitzer, the together with their crew and ammunition by one Attack helicopters can be carried and this goal has also been achieved smaller helicopters are also used on a battlefield. The Field howitzer has therefore continued to be developed so that it is fast and can easily be dismantled into two or more parts, so that the howitzer, the Crew and ammunition through two small helicopters or Land vehicles can be transported. Field howitzers that are simple in components can be disassembled and reassembled on a battlefield can be transported in large numbers much easier because the separate Pack parts better in the hold of a ship or an aircraft leave as fully assembled devices. An additional feature of Field howitzers that can be broken down into two or more main components, is that part failure is eliminated by replacing the entire component  can be, the defective part in the workshop for subsequent repair can be brought back.

There are two main occasions when it may be necessary to split the howitzer into parts. First of all, that on a battlefield, speed is essential. In this case, the field howitzer can in the "adjustable mass" and the "carriage" by removing pivot caps u. Like. be disassembled. Each part should be light enough to be transported by truck or small combat helicopter. The second reason could be that large numbers of howitzers have to be transported from a base to the area of a possible conflict. Here the speed is not as important as the packing density. In this case, other parts such as the front stabilizers 110 , the carriage feet 104 B, the wheels 123 , etc. can be removed.

A further feature is a bezel 137 ( FIG. 3) which can be pivoted vertically downwards and can be locked and thus forms a support foot which carries the muzzle end of the barrel 101 . This supports the separation and reassembly of the two main parts of the howitzer.

Claims (4)

1. field howitzer, with a frame ( 119 ), a barrel ( 101 ) which is supported by the frame ( 119 ) such that it is movable as a result of a recoil when fired from a first position to a second position, a recoil damping system for absorption the recoil energy when the barrel ( 101 ) is moved while firing and a return system for moving the moved barrel ( 101 ) back from the second position to the first position, the frame ( 119 ) being made of hollow elements and the space ( 129 ) is used wholly or partially within the hollow elements to provide the volume for a compressed fluid used in the recoil damping system or the return system. 2. field howitzer, with a chassis ( 117 ), a frame ( 119 ), a barrel ( 101 ) carried by the frame ( 119 ), the frame ( 119 ) being pivotable on the chassis ( 117 ) by means of a journal bearing ( 113 ) attached that the barrel ( 101 ) is pivotable about a horizontal axis, with a mechanical height adjustment device for pivoting the barrel ( 101 ) about the axis, the height adjustment device being supported by compressed gas, the frame ( 119 ) being formed from hollow elements and wherein the space ( 129 ) within the elements is used in whole or in part to provide the volume for the compressed gas. 3. Howitzer according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrel ( 101 ) is fixed so that it is not in equilibrium, and the amount of support provided by the compressed gas is sufficient to support the weight of the barrel ( 101 ) to substantially compensate for his imbalance. 4. field howitzer according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that
that the height adjustment device has a guide screw ( 139 ) which is pivotally attached at one end and along which a nut can be screwed, the nut being fixed but rotatable with respect to the frame ( 119 ), so that the resulting translational movement of the Causes nut along the guide screw ( 139 ),
that the frame ( 119 ) moves in a pivoting direction about the journal bearing ( 113 ), whereby the barrel ( 101 ) of the field howitzer is raised or lowered, the pivotably fastened end of the guide screw ( 139 ) having a flexible, adjustable fastening, with a spring device, which is arranged parallel to the axis of the guide screw ( 139 ), and a damping device ( 145 , 146 , 146 A) is provided, the spring constant, the preload and the movement resistance, which are caused by the damping device ( 145 , 146 , 146 A ) are adjustable, to provide an adjustable system, the spring device having a plurality of disc springs ( 143 ) and the damping device ( 145 , 146 , 146 A) being a hydraulic damping device ( 145 , 146 , 146 A).