EP0324688A1 - Shoulder-fired rocket launcher - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoulder-fired rocket launcher. <??>To allow use in an enclosed space without complication, without excess weight and without thereby subjecting the firer to an appreciable recoil effect, at least one weapon tube (4, 6) is guided so as to slide longitudinally to an extent limited in relation to a butt (2) having stock-forming means (54), grip-forming means and fire control means (56), and means (121, 129) are provided for stressing the weapon tube (4, 6) elastically forwards with reference to a predetermined firing direction (17) in relation to the butt (2), so as to damp the recoil movement of the weapon tube (4, 6) relative to the butt (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a long gun for the use of a rocket launcher, comprising at least one longitudinal weapon tube and a barrel at least partially juxtaposed transversely thereto comprising stock means, handle means and means fire control.

Conventionally, we will call a "rocket" a self-propelled munition, most of the time studied to reconcile a long range and a significant kinetic energy at impact.

In the most well-known manner, such rockets are launched by means of long guns of the type indicated in the preamble and whose weapon tube, integral with the barrel, is open at its two transverse ends in order to reduce the effect recoil of the weapon when launching a rocket; however, the transverse end of the weapon tube which is turned towards the rear with reference to a determined longitudinal firing direction suddenly lets out a large quantity of hot gas during the launching of a rocket, which practically prohibits any use of such a weapon in a closed enclosure.

In an attempt to remedy these drawbacks, long guns of the type indicated in the preamble have also been proposed, however used then for firing inert projectiles, that is to say without propellant, by means of a pyrotechnic charge d 'ejection
- either by providing at the transverse end of the weapon tube which is turned towards the rear, with reference to the determined longitudinal firing direction, a movable breech which, when firing a projectile, dampens the recoil effect but lets escape the gases resulting from the combustion of the pyrotechnic ejection charge, which is then reduced to limit the gaseous emission; this solution has the disadvantage of not completely avoiding the brutal emission of gas at the rear of the weapon barrel, that is to say inside the closed enclosure during a firing from of such an enclosure and the drawback of a limited range of the weapon due to the reduction in the ejection charge;
- either by providing inside the weapon a set of pistons or a bag which confines the combustion gases of the pyrotechnic ejection charge and the counter-masses which are discharged simultaneously with the firing of a projectile for reduce the recoil effect; this solution has the advantage of being fully compatible with shooting in a closed enclosure, avoiding any gaseous emission out of the weapon and practically canceling the recoil effect; however, it leads to a complication and a significant cost of the weapon, as well as an increase in mass which makes it necessary to reduce the mass of the other components of the weapon and of the projectile in order to preserve the whole of a mass compatible with a shooting at the shoulder.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks, that is to say to provide a long gun for the use of a rocket launcher which, at the same time, can be used in a closed enclosure while avoiding any release of gas. towards the interior of this enclosure and any counter-mass ejection, and applies to the shooter only a minimum of inconvenience due to the recoil effect when launching a rocket.

To this end, the long gun according to the invention, of the type indicated in the preamble, is characterized in that the gun barrel is of a type comprising a closed transverse end, disposed towards the rear with reference to a determined longitudinal direction of fire, and in that it is connected to the barrel by means of connection means comprising:
- means for guiding the relative longitudinal sliding,
mutual stop means limiting the longitudinal sliding of the weapon tube at least forward, with reference to said direction, with respect to the barrel,
- Longitudinal elastic biasing means of the weapon tube forward, with reference to said direction, relative to the barrel.

It is easily understood that the (permanent) closure of the transverse end of the rearward-facing tube avoids an abrupt emission of gas out of the weapon, by this end, during the launching of a rocket; the gases can escape from the weapon tube only through the transverse end of the latter turned towards the front with reference to the determined direction of fire, generally placed outside the closed enclosure during use of the weapon in such a closed enclosure, after the rocket has left the weapon tube; however, the shooter undergoes an acceptable recoil effect when launching a rocket thanks to a damping effect played by the elastic mounting of the weapon tube on the barrel.

Given the mobility of the weapon tube relative to the barrel, the use of electric type fire control means is particularly suitable, although other types are not excluded.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of a long gun according to the invention, the connecting means are suitable for allowing the mounting and dismounting of the barrel relative to the barrel; it is thus possible to mount on the same barrel weapon tubes corresponding to different calibers and / or to have magazines comprising at least one weapon tube and the associated rocket, ready for launching inside this weapon tube, to easily mount this loaded weapon tube on the barrel before launching, then dismantle the empty weapon tube after launching to replace it with at least one other weapon tube also responsible for corresponding rocket.

For example, the means for guiding the relative longitudinal sliding comprise means forming a longitudinal slide, arranged on the barrel, means forming a slide mounted to slide on the means forming a slide, complementary removable locking members carried respectively by the means forming a slide and through the weapon barrel; placing at least one tube weapon, in particular loaded with the corresponding rocket, on the barrel is particularly easy and rapid if, in addition, the weapon comprises means of elastic biasing of the means forming a slide towards the front, with reference to said direction, with respect to means forming a slide, and if the mutual stop means comprise stop means of the means forming a slide towards the front, with reference to said direction, with respect to the means forming a slide.

We reduce to a minimum the components of the weapon integrated in the weapon tube, possibly discarded after a single use, and we increase the convenience and the speed of assembly and disassembly of the weapon tube or a magazine , with respect to the barrel, if, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting means comprise a longitudinal sleeve integral with the barrel, located in a rear zone of the latter with reference to said direction and receiving the weapon tube with longitudinal sliding, and if the means for resiliently biasing the weapon tube towards the front, with reference to said direction, with respect to the barrel comprise a piston mounted for longitudinal sliding in the sleeve and against which the tube weapon rests backwards with reference to said direction, by said closed transverse end, means for elastic biasing of the piston towards the front, with reference to said direction, with respect to the sleeve, and means for abutting the piston towards the before, with reference to audit sense, relative to the sleeve; when, as it is preferred, the fire control means are electric, the piston and the weapon barrel then advantageously comprise, in respective positions facing each other longitudinally, complementary means for electrical connection of the fire control means.

Naturally, it is possible to envisage the production of a long gun according to the invention comprising a single weapon tube, preferably mounted removably by suitable connecting means, for example of the type indicated above; preferably, however, the weapon according to the invention comprises a plurality of longitudinal weapon tubes of said type, mutually juxtaposed transversely and mutually integral, connected to the barrel by said connecting means, the gun tubes are regularly distributed angularly around a longitudinal axis and the elastic biasing means have a line of action substantially coinciding with said axis , between the weapon tubes; naturally, the rockets corresponding to the different tubes can then be launched simultaneously but, preferably, the firing control means comprise tube selection means making it possible to fire the rockets individually or by burst, so as to avoid too frequent reloading, c that is to say the changes of weapon tubes in the case of interchangeable weapon tubes; the selection means are preferably automatic and sequential, so as to make the use of the weapon particularly convenient.

For example, according to one embodiment, the weapon tubes are in even number, distributed in groups of two weapon tubes mutually symmetrical with respect to said axis, and the tube selection means are constituted by selection means. group of two mutually symmetrical weapon tubes with respect to said axis; thus, as well as the reaction which they provoke on the part of the elastic biasing means, the forces resulting from the thrust applied to the weapon tubes by the rockets fired simultaneously present a result along the axis, in a particularly satisfactory manner mechanically. .

A particularly effective embodiment of the elastic biasing means, in the case of a plurality of mutually integral weapon tubes, arranged as indicated above, mounted interchangeably and resting on an elastically biased piston as also indicated above, is characterized in that the weapon tubes delimit between them, along said axis, a housing longitudinal, in that the piston has, integrally along said axis, a tubular extension towards the front, with reference to said direction, inside said housing, in that the sleeve carries integrally, behind the piston, with reference to said direction, a transverse bottom integrally carrying a rod projecting forward, with reference to said direction, along said axis, said rod passing through said tubular extension right through and having a transverse abutment head inside said housing, in front of said tubular extension with reference to said direction, and in that said tubular extension bears integrally between said transverse bottom and said abutment head a flange mounted with longitudinal sliding on the rod and bearing respectively towards the front and towards the rear, with reference to said direction, against said abutment head and against a helical spring of longitudinal compression housed between said rod and said tubular extension and bearing itself against said bottom backwards, with reference to said direction; such a solution reconciles a minimum space requirement of the weapon and a high efficiency of the guidance of the weapon tubes as well as of their elastic stress in reaction to the thrust which they undergo during the launching of the rockets; the guidance of the weapon tubes relative to the barrel is even more effective if, according to a preferred embodiment, said transverse bottom bears integrally, around said rod and said spring, inside said tubular extension, a longitudinal skirt guide the latter to the longitudinal sliding.

• - La figure 1 montre une vue d'une arme selon l'invention munie de bonnettes de protection d'extrémité transversale, en position de tir, en élévation latérale.
• - Les figures 2 et 3 montrent des vues de cette même arme démunie des bonnettes de protection, respectivement dans un sens longitudinal repéré par une flèche II à la figure 1 et en coupe par un plan transversal repéré en III-III aux figures 1 et 4.
• - Les figures 4A et 4B, qui se complètent, montrent l'arme dans son état illustré à la figure 1, en coupe par deux demi-plans longitudinaux repérés en IV-IV à la figure 3.

Other characteristics and advantages of the long gun according to the invention will emerge from the description below, relating to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, as well as from the appended drawings which form an integral part of this description.

• - Figure 1 shows a view of a weapon according to the invention provided with protective caps of transverse end, in the firing position, in side elevation.
• - Figures 2 and 3 show views of the same weapon without protective windshields, respectively in a longitudinal direction identified by an arrow II in Figure 1 and in section by a transverse plane identified in III-III in Figures 1 and 4 .
• - Figures 4A and 4B, which complement each other, show the weapon in its state illustrated in Figure 1, in section through two longitudinal half-planes identified in IV-IV in Figure 3.

In all of these figures, a longitudinal axis has been designated by 1 which will serve as a reference for longitudinal direction and transversality in the following description, by 2 the longitudinal barrel of the weapon and by 3 a magazine which can be removed relative to in barrel 2, and integrally grouping six identical longitudinal weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 having respective longitudinal axes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 regularly distributed angularly around the axis 1 and equidistant therefrom, which arms tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are arranged around a central tube 16 also longitudinal, as for axis 1, in a relation of mutual contact and mutual solidarity obtained by any appropriate means, the choice of which is within the scope of the normal skills of a person skilled in the art; each of the tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, which has an identical diameter, presents towards the front, with reference to a determined longitudinal direction of fire 17, opposite to the direction of the arrow II, one end anterior open 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, protected by a respective cover 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 simply fitted and easily extractable longitudinally, and by a protective end cap anterior 232 common to all the tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, offering practically no obstacle to piercing by a rocket; it will be noted that the respective anterior ends 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged transversely to the axis 1 at the same longitudinal level; backwards with reference to direction 17, the tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 have respective transverse ends at a same longitudinal level 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 closed definitively by a transverse bottom comprising an annular, flat transverse plate 38 to all of the weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and supplemented, inside each of the tubes, by a respective integral plug such as 39 (tube 4, for example, each of the weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 being produced identically); on the other hand, the central tube 16, which does not constitute a weapon tube, is open towards the rear with reference to the direction 17, and bordered by the annular plate 38 which extends radially outwards from this tube 16 , with reference to axis 1, and extends it backwards as will be described later.

Inside each of the weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 is retained, by a transversely shearable transverse pin such as 41 (example of tube 4, an identical assembly being adopted for each of the tubes of weapon 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) a respective rocket such as 40 (example of weapon tube 4); of known structure in itself, the rocket such as 40 has a tail such as 42 isolated from the rear end plug such as 39 from the weapon tube such as 4 by a tubular piston, longitudinal such as 200 mounted for free sliding longitudinal in this weapon tube such as 4; each piston such as 200 bears backwards against the corresponding plug such as 39 and forwards against the rocket such as 40 proper, at the level of a pyrotechnic engine such as 45 thereof, and delimits in view of the plug such as 39 a free volume such as 43 of fire transmission and gas expansion between, on the one hand, a respective pyrotechnic ejection charge such as 44 provided in the plug such as 39 respectively corresponding and the pyrotechnic engine such as 45 rocket such as 40; the piston 200, to which each of the pistons thus housed in the different weapon tubes is identical, has:
a rear tubular wall 201, defined respectively towards the axis 10 of the tube 4 and in the direction of a distance with respect to this axis 10 by an inner peripheral face 202 and by an outer peripheral face 203 one and the other cylindrical of revolution around the axis 10, the external peripheral face 203 having a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the weapon tube 4 so as to establish a mutual guide contact with relative longitudinal sliding and the two faces 202 and 203 being mutually connected towards the rear by an annular, flat, transverse face 204 in contact towards the rear with the plug 39,
- A transverse annular wall 205, delimited respectively towards the rear and towards the front by annular, flat, transverse faces 206 and 207 connecting respectively, in the direction of a distance with respect to the axis 4, to the faces 202 and 203 of the wall 201, the front transverse face 207 being placed immediately behind the tail unit 42 of the rocket 40,
- An anterior tubular wall 208, delimited respectively towards the axis 10 of the tube 4 and in the direction of a distance with respect to this axis 10 by an inner peripheral face 209 and by an outer peripheral face 210 one and the other cylindrical of revolution around the axis 10, with respective diameters smaller than the diameter of the face 202 and the diameter of the face 203, respectively, the diameter of the face 210 being further such that the wall 208 can be accommodated at the interior of the empennage 42 without hindrance with respect to a relative longitudinal sliding and the two faces 209 and 210 connecting rearwardly respectively to the face 206 and to the face 207 of the wall 205,
a transverse annular wall 211, delimited respectively towards the rear and towards the front by annular faces, transverse planes 210 and 213 connecting respectively, in the direction of a distance with respect to the axis 4, to the faces 209 and 210 from the wall 208, the front transverse face 213 being placed in contact with the motor 45 of the rocket 10, inside the tail 42 of the latter and the two faces 212 and 213 connecting towards the axis 10 to a bore 214 for transmitting fire between the volume 43 internal to the walls 201 and 208 and the motor 45 of the rocket, which bore 214 passes through the wall 211 right through along the axis 10 and has a cylindrical shape of revolution around this axis 10 with a small diameter in comparison with the respective diameters of the inner peripheral faces 202 and 209 of the tubular walls 201 and 208.

Such a magazine 3, of which each weapon tube 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 contains a respective rocket such as 40 retained in the immediate vicinity of the rear end plug such as 39 respectively corresponding by a respective shearable pin such 41, can be mounted in a single operation, as a whole, on the barrel 2 which will now be described, then be dismantled as a whole after launching the various rockets.

To this end, the barrel 2, described in the assembled state with the loader 3 as illustrated, has its own rigid longitudinal frame 46 rigidly carrying, opposite the loader 3, along the same longitudinal plane 47 including the axis 1, constituting for the barrel 2 and the loader 3 considered as a whole of a longitudinal plane of symmetry and defining the part of the plane of Figures 4a and 4b located below the axis 1, the following elements succeeding each other back and forth with reference to direction 17:
- at a longitudinal level corresponding approximately to that of the tail units such as 42 rockets such as 40 inside the weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, a stock support 48 keyed into orifices 49 , 50 of the frame 46 chosen from respective groups 51, 52 of mutually offset orifices longitudinally to allow adjustment of the longitudinal position of the support 48 on the frame 46, which support 48 has in a posterior zone a longitudinal plate 53 bearing on the shoulder of a shooter and in a front area a transverse stock 54 which can be folded back towards the support 48 about an axis 55 perpendicular to the plane 47;
- A box 56 containing components of electrical fire control means, in particular an electric battery and an electronic distributor for the order of ignition of the rockets such as 40 corresponding to the different weapon tubes, according to a sequence which will be described later , this housing 56 being rigidly secured to the frame 46;
- A transverse handle 57 capable of being folded forward by pivoting about an axis 58 perpendicular to the plane 47 relative to the frame 46, the handle 57 being retained in the position of use by a latch 59 manually operable ;
a trigger guard 60 protecting a trigger 61 and an electric switch 62 of the fire control means, also comprising the components included in the housing 56, the assembly formed by the trigger guard 60, the trigger 61 and the switch 62 being covered by the handle 57 when the latter is folded forward and keyed in a removable manner on the frame 46, at 63, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4B;
- a fixed longitudinal handle 64.

These elements are known to a person skilled in the art or easily conceivable by him and will not be described further, with the exception of the components contained in the housing 56 as regards their function.

Opposite the loader 3 and as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2, the frame 46 has, from a front end 65 penetrating longitudinally into the windshield 232 as far as a rear end zone 66 situated behind the support 48 , a longitudinal slide 67 provided opposite the loader 3 with two longitudinal edges 68, 69, turned towards one another and symmetrical with each other relative to the plane 47 so as to define a narrowing of the slide 67 in the zones of the latter closest to the charger 3; in addition, respectively in a zone 70 of the front end of the magazine, corresponding to the respective front ends 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 of the tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, and in an intermediate zone 71 located approximately mid-length of the magazine 3, that is to say of the tubes of the latter, the magazine 3 integrally carries two slides 72, 73 each of which has a cross section in "T", symmetrical with respect to the plane 47 and such that each of the slides 72, 73 is retained inside the slide 67, and more precisely by the flanges 68 and 69 thereof, with the possibility of longitudinal sliding relative to the exclusion any other possibility of relative movement.

While the slider 73 exclusively provides a guide function of the loader 3 to the longitudinal sliding relative to the frame 46 by cooperating with the slide 67, the slide 72 also provides locking of the loader 3 relative to the frame 46, preserving this possibility of relative sliding.

To this end, the slide 72 has inside the slide 67, in the direction of a radial distance with respect to the axis 1, a blind hole 74 in which engages, in the direction of approximation radial with respect to the axis 1, a finger 75 of another slide 76 itself guided in longitudinal sliding inside the framework 46, by a longitudinal slide 77 which is juxtaposed transversely to the slide 67, in the direction of a radial distance with respect to the axis 1, and of which only the finger 75 protrudes, inside the slide 67, towards the axis 1; the slide 77 may for example be constituted by a tubular section of the frame 76, presenting towards the inside of the slide 67, along the plane 47, a longitudinal lumen 78 for passage of the finger 75.

Inside the slide 77, the slide 76 is urged elastically forward by a helical spring, longitudinal 79 acting, around a longitudinal rod 80 extending the slide 76 backwards, between this slide 76, d on the one hand, and a transverse partition 81 closing the slide 77 towards the rear, on the other hand, said wall 81 being pierced with a longitudinal bore 82 in which the rod 80 is guided in longitudinal sliding; thus, while allowing sliding of the slide 76 backwards inside the slide 77, relative to the frame 46, the spring 79 tends resiliently to keep the slide 76 in a front limit position, illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4B, in which this slide 76 abuts forward against a transverse wall 83 closing the slide 77 towards the front, at the front end 65 of the frame 46, preferably by means of a transverse plate 151 of an elastically compressible material such as synthetic rubber; in this position, the slide 76 has opposite a transverse hole 85 of the frame 76, located immediately in front of the longitudinal handle 64, on the same side of the frame 46 as this handle 64, opposite a hole 87 in the windscreen 232, a push button 86 guided in radial sliding, with reference to axis 1, inside the slide 76 and bearing towards axis 1 on an anterior zone 88 of a longitudinal lever 89 integrally carrying the finger 75 in a posterior region; the lever 89, housed in a recess 90 of the slide 76, is mounted to pivot relative to the latter about an axis 91 perpendicular to the plane 47, between its zone 88 cooperating with the push button 86 and its zone carrying the finger 75 , and receives at the level of the latter an elastic thrust, towards the axis 1, of a helical spring 92 interposed at this level between the lever 89 and the slider 76 and acting between the latter in a radial direction relative to the axis 1 so as to urge the finger 75 towards the latter, which thus engages in the blind hole 74 of the slide 72; however, a pressure applied with the finger on the push button 86, towards the axis 1, makes it possible to overcompensate the action of the spring 92, to tilt the lever 89 and thus to extract the finger 75 from the blind hole 74; we understand that then, the slider 72 is free to slide relative to the slider 76, to allow mounting or dismounting of the loader 3 relative to the barrel 2, by sliding the sliders 72 and 73 in the slide 67, while the absence of voluntary stress on the push button 86, allowing the engagement of the finger 75 in the blind hole 74 under the action of the spring 92, ensures a securing of the sliders 72 and 76 to the longitudinal sliding respectively in the slide 67 and in the slide 77 with respect to barrel 2, so that the limits imposed respectively forwards and backwards on the sliding of slide 76 in slide 77, by the walls 81 and 83 of the latter, are also imposed on the loader 3, with respect to the drum 2 considered as a whole.

Behind the slide 73, the loader 3 is engaged, with the possibility of relative longitudinal sliding, in a longitudinal sleeve 92 having a general shape of revolution around axis 1, which sleeve 92 is carried integrally by the framework 46, in the rear half thereof if we refer to direction 17.

Forward, with reference to direction 17, the sleeve 92 has a transverse edge 93 located immediately behind the latch 59, and delimiting an anterior opening 94 through which the magazine 3 enters the sleeve 92; towards the rear, this sleeve 92 is closed by a transverse bottom 95, rigid like the sleeve 92 itself and integral with the latter; at the level of this bottom 95, as well as in the immediate vicinity thereof, the sleeve 92 carries an end protection windscreen 96, advantageously made of an elastically compressible material such as a spongy synthetic rubber, which can also constitute the windscreen 232 previously described; the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92 is thus located behind the rear end 66 of the slide 67; the windshield 96 extends forward approximately to the longitudinal level of the rear end 66 of the slide 67, however remaining behind the rear limit of the support 48, but close to the latter.

Internally, towards the axis 1, from the edge 93 to a zone 97 close to the bottom 95, the sleeve 92 has an inner peripheral face 98 having a generally cylindrical shape of revolution around the axis 1 with a diameter such that it remains on all sides a peripheral clearance 99 between the charger 3 and this face 98; this clearance 99 is advantageously filled locally, in particular in the immediate vicinity of the edge 93 of the sleeve 92, by a transverse ring 100 of a material chosen such that it provides a dust tightness between the sleeve 92 and the charger 3 without constituting obstacle to the longitudinal sliding of the latter relative to the integral assembly formed by the sleeve 92 and the frame 46; the ring 100 can for example be made of synthetic rubber.

In zone 97, the inner peripheral face 98 of the sleeve 92 is connected by a planar, annular, transverse shoulder 101, facing forward with reference to direction 17, to an inner peripheral face 102 also cylindrical of revolution around the axis 1 and turned towards it, but having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the inner peripheral face 98; this diameter of the face 102 is however at least equal to the largest diameter that the charger 3 has with reference to the axis 1 at least in a posterior zone with reference to the direction 17, that is to say in practice at most large diameter of the plate 38 in the example illustrated, or in other words the diameter of a face 104, cylindrical of revolution around the axis 1, delimiting the plate 38 in the direction of a distance relative to this axis in the illustrated example; advantageously, the respective diameters of the faces 102 and 104 are substantially identical, to allow mutual contact with guidance in relative longitudinal sliding; in the position illustrated in the figures, however, there is no contact between the face 102 and the face 104, the first being offset forward relative to the second.

According to axis 1, protruding longitudinally forward if we refer to direction 17, the bottom 95 carries integrally, on its face 103, an annular skirt 105, of revolution around the axis 1 and having in particular in the direction of a distance with respect to and towards the latter respectively external 106 and internal 107 peripheral faces, one and the other cylindrical of revolution around this axis 1; the diameter of the face 106, which extends from the face 103 to a transverse edge 108 of connection with the face 107, located at a longitudinal level intermediate between that of the plate 38 closing the weapon tubes 4, 5 , 6, 7, 8, 9 towards the rear and that of the junction between the tail unit such as 42 rockets such as 40 and the engine such as 45 of these rockets, is chosen slightly smaller than the diameter of a face inner peripheral 109 that the central tube 16 presents towards the axis 1, with a cylindrical shape of revolution around this axis; the face 107 extends in turn rearward, from the transverse annular edge 108, to a longitudinal level corresponding approximately to that of the plate 38, level at which this face 107 is connected by a transverse annular shoulder 110 to a face 111 also cylindrical of revolution about the axis 1, with a diameter less than that of the face 107 by which this face 111 is turned; this face 111 itself extends rearward, from the shoulder 110, to a plane transverse end face 112 located approximately halfway between the shoulder 110 and the face 103 of the bottom 95; this face 112 is annular and is connected in the direction of approximation with respect to the axis 1 to a longitudinal bore 113 passing through the bottom 95 right through along the axis 1.

In this bore 113 is received integrally with the bottom 95, and with sealing, a straight rod 114 delimited in the direction of a distance from the axis 1 by an outer peripheral face 115 cylindrical of revolution around this axis with a diameter smaller than that of the face 111; forward with reference to direction 17, from the face 112, the rod 114 has a longitudinal dimension substantially equal to twice the distance separating the face 112 and the annular edge 108 of the skirt 105, that is to say -dire extends like this skirt 105 inside the central tube 16 of the charger 3, but this over a length approximately twice that of the skirt 103; in an anterior end zone, the rod 115 integrally carries a transverse head 116 which is thus located approximately at the rear quarter of the longitudinal dimension of the tube 16; in the direction of a distance with respect to the axis 1, the head 116 is delimited by an outer peripheral face 117 cylindrical of revolution around the axis 1 with a diameter intermediate between the respective diameters of the faces 115 and 109; towards the front, it is delimited by a transverse face 118 of indifferent shape whereas towards the rear, between the faces 115 and 117, it is delimited by a flat, transverse annular face 119, turned towards the edge 108 and coated with 'a transverse washer 120 of a shock absorbing material such as synthetic rubber; it will be noted that the head 116 does not constitute any obstacle to the longitudinal sliding of the magazine 3 relative to the barrel 2.

The head 116, provided with the washer 120, constitutes a stop, towards the front, for a piston 121 mounted for longitudinal sliding inside the sleeve 92, and which will now be described.

The piston 121 is formed from two parts constituting a rigid, integral whole, capable of sliding longitudinally as well with respect to the face 106 of the skirt 105 of the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92, as with respect to the inner peripheral face 109 of the central tube 16 of charger 3.

To this end, the piston 121 has a first part 122 of tubular, longitudinal shape, essentially housed in the tube 16 and delimited respectively in the direction of a distance and in the direction of a approximation relative to the axis 1, by cylindrical faces of revolution around this axis 1 at the rate of an outer peripheral face 123 having a diameter substantially identical to that of the face 109 of the tube 16 with which it is in sliding contact and of a peripheral face inner 124 having a diameter substantially identical to that of the outer peripheral face 106 of the skirt 105 with which this face 124 is also in sliding contact so that the first part 122 of the piston 121 and the skirt 105 cooperate in the manner of a slide and a slide, respectively, for guiding the rear end of the magazine 3 to longitudinal sliding relative to the barrel 2; immediately behind the washer 120 of the stop head 116, if one refers to direction 17, and in contact with this washer 120, the first part 122 of the piston 121 is closed on the face 115 of the rod 114 by a plug 124 forming a transverse flange having along the axis 1 a cylindrical bore 125 of revolution around this axis with a diameter substantially identical to that of the face 115 of the rod 114 so as to allow mutual guiding contact for longitudinal sliding relative; forwardly with reference to direction 17, the plug 124 has a transverse, flat, annular face 126 around the bore 125 in contact with the washer 120 in the position illustrated while towards the rear with reference to the direction 17, that is to say facing the face 112 of the bottom 95, it has a planar, transverse annular face 127 provided around the bore 125 with an annular rim 128, in protruding backwards; by the face 127, between the rim 128 and the face 124, and by the face 112 bears respectively forwardly, on the plug 124, and rearwardly, on the bottom 95, longitudinally, a helical spring 129 wound around the rod 115 and which resiliently biases the plug 124, and with it the whole of the piston 121, forwards with reference to the direction 17 to press the face 126 of the plug 124 against the washer 120 of the head stop 116; a rearward movement of the piston 121, and more particularly of the plug 124, is nevertheless possible with an increase in longitudinal compression of the spring 129.

Backwards with reference to direction 17, the faces 123 and 124 of the first part 122 of the piston 121 continue up to a transverse annular flange 129 of the first part 122 of the piston 121, which flange 129 forms a projection in the direction of a distance relative to the axis 1 on the outer peripheral face 123 at a longitudinal level intermediate between the respective levels of the shoulder 101 connecting between the inner peripheral faces 98 and 102 of the sleeve 92 and the face 103 of the bottom 95, however being further from the latter than from the shoulder 101 in the position illustrated in the figures; immediately opposite the rim 129, longitudinally, the face 103 carries a transverse annular washer 130 of an elastically compressible material such as synthetic rubber, the rim 129 of which is moved forward, with reference to the direction 17, in the position illustrated in the figures but which is capable of damping a longitudinal movement of the rim 129 and of the assembly of the piston 121 towards the face 103, when the rim 129 reaches in the immediate vicinity of this face 103 during such a movement.

By the rim 129, the first part 122 of the piston 121 is connected to the second part 131 of the latter, which is transferred dirty, flat, annular, with a general shape of revolution around axis 1; towards the latter, the part 131 of the piston 121 is delimited by a cylindrical face 132 of revolution about this axis with a diameter substantially equal to that of the face 123 of the first tubular part 122, so that the face 132 matches a area of the face 123 immediately adjacent to the rim 129; in the direction of a distance with respect to the axis 1, the second part 131 of the piston 121 is delimited by a face 133 also cylindrical of revolution around the axis 1, but with a diameter substantially identical to that of the face inner peripheral 102 of the sleeve 92 so as to establish with the latter a guide contact with relative longitudinal sliding, with a seal by means of an O-ring 134 housed in an annular groove on the face 133; it will be noted that in the position illustrated in the figures, the face 133 overlaps the shoulder 101 connecting together the two inner peripheral faces 92 and 102 of the sleeve 92, the seal 134 being however placed in an area of the face 133 in contact with face 102; towards the rear, with reference to direction 17, the piston 121 has in the immediate vicinity of the face 133 an annular, planar, transverse, coplanar face 135 with a face also annular, planar, transverse 136 delimiting the rim 129 towards the rear ; this face 135 of the second part 131 of the piston 121 is connected to the rim 129 of the first part 122 by a concave annular face 137 so that the coplanar faces 135 and 136 together define the zones of the piston 121 closest to the face 103 from the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92; however, at least one straight, longitudinal rod 138, integral with the second part 131 of the piston 121 at the level of the hollow face 137 of the latter forms a rearward projection relative to the faces 135 and 136, so as to engage in a relative sliding guide relation parallel to axis 1 without the possibility of relative rotation about this axis, in a blind hole 139 arranged coaxially in the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92; the cooperation of the rod 138 with the blind hole 139 ensures indexing of the piston 121 whatever the position of the latter between the position illustrated and a position in which it is applied by the face 136 against the washer 130 and, if the latter is fully compressed, by its face 135 on the face 103 of the bottom 95.

Forward, from its inner peripheral face 132 to its outer peripheral face 133, the second part 131 of the piston 121 is delimited by a planar, transverse annular face 140 with which, in the position illustrated, the annular plate 38 of the loader 3 is in contact by a planar, transverse annular face 141 which, in turn, faces backwards and joins the outer peripheral face 104 of the annular plate 38 to an inner peripheral face 142 of the latter; this face 142 is cylindrical of revolution around the axis 1 with a diameter identical to that of the face 109 of the central tube 16, so as to extend this face 109 towards the rear, without apparent discontinuity and to be like the face 109 in sliding contact with the face 123 of the part 122 of the piston 121.

In order to ensure the transmission of electrical signals of ignition of the ejection charges such as 44 from the electrical control unit 56, when the trigger 61 is actuated, a flexible electric cable 143 connects the unit 56, passing in the immediate vicinity of the bottom 95, to an electrical connector 144 housed in the second part 131 of the piston 121 and opening out forward through the face 140 of this piston 121 to cooperate in the position illustrated with a complementary connector 145 placed immediately opposite, if one refers to the longitudinal direction, in the annular plate 38 from which this connector 145 emerges from the face 141; the two connectors 144 and 145 have complementary shapes such that they provide a mutual electrical connection during a relative longitudinal approximation of the faces 140 and 141 to a mutual contact, and interrupt this electrical connection by relative longitudinal separation of the faces 140 and 141; for example, the two connectors 144 and 145 are constituted by male and female plugs respectively, which can be plugged in mutually by relative longitudinal displacement.

The connector 145 of the annular plate 38 is itself connected by cables 146, housed in a system of channels 147 arranged in the plate 38, which in the example illustrated is made in two parts for this purpose, as well as in the three plugs such as 39 respectively corresponding to weapon tubes 4, 6 and 8, or one weapon tube out of two, to a respective electric igniter such as 147 (case of plug 39) itself in contact forwards with the pyrotechnic ejection charge such as 44 associated with the same plug such as 39, constituted by a powder charge; not illustrated but easily deducible from the illustrated form of the plug 39, the three plugs corresponding respectively to the tubes 5, 7, 9, do not include an electric igniter 147 but nevertheless contain a charge of ejection powder identical to the charge 44, which charge of ejection powder is connected to the charge of ejection powder of the plug corresponding to a diametrically opposite weapon tube, with reference to axis 1, by a fire transmission channel; thus, the charge of ejection powder 44 of the plug 39 corresponding to the weapon tube 4 is connected, by a fire transmission channel 148, to the identical charge of the plug corresponding to the weapon tube 7 diametrically opposite to the tube d weapon 4 with reference to axis 1, the charge of ejection powder, identical to charge 44, of the cap corresponding to the weapon tube 6 is connected by a fire transmission channel 149 to the identical charge of the cap of the weapon tube 9 and the charge of ejection powder, identical to charge 44, of the plug corresponding to the weapon tube 8 is connected by a fire transmission channel 150 to the identical charge equipping the plug of the tube d 'weapon 5; the three fire transmission channels 148, 149, 150 are mutually independent.

Under these conditions, the operation of the weapon which has just been described is as follows.

In the state of the weapon illustrated in the figures, the magazine 3 whose six weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 contain a rocket such as 40 and whose connector 145 is in electrical connection with the connector 144 of the piston 121, with mutual contact of the faces 140 and 141, occupies with respect to the barrel 2 an extreme front position, in which the plug 124 urged by the spring 129 is in abutment forward on the head 116 by the intermediate of the washer 120, and in which the slide 76, secured to the slide 72 with respect to a longitudinal movement, bears against the wall 83 of the slide 77, by means of the plate 151 of elastically compressible material.

When, after having commissioned the electrical means for controlling the firing of the housing 56 by means of the switch 62, the trigger 61 is pressed, the electrical control means housed in the housing 56, produced for this purpose by easily determinable by a person skilled in the art, transmit by the cable 143, the connectors 144 and 145, and the cable 146 an electrical command or signal of ignition of one, determined, rocket ejection charge igniters equipping plugs such as 39; for example, the igniter 147 fitted to the plug 39 is thus excited during a first actuation of the trigger 61 after installation of a magazine 3 including the six weapon tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 contain a rocket such as 40, which causes the ignition of the corresponding ejection charge 44; this ignition causes the rapid emission of a large quantity of gas which, at the same time, accumulates in the volume 43 delimited by the piston 200 housed in the tail unit 42 of the corresponding rocket 40, and thus initiates the engine 45 of this rocket, and reach via the channel 148 the plug corresponding to the weapon tube 7 diametrically opposite to the weapon tube 4, with reference to the axis 1, to initiate the rocket ejection charge corresponding to this tube 7 and also cause in this tube the rapid emission of a large quantity of gas which accumulates in the volume, analogous to volume 43, of the piston analogous to the piston 200 and interposed between the rocket equipping the tube 7 and the plug, similar to the plug 39, equipping this tube 7; it will be noted that this mode of ignition of the ejection charges corresponding to the two diametrically opposite tubes 4 and 7 introduces a slight ignition delay of the ejection charge corresponding to the tube 7 with respect to the ejection charge 44 corresponding to the tube 4; this results in a delay of the same order in the pressure increases of the gases resulting from the combustion of the ejection charges respectively in the tube 7 and in the tube 4; when the pressure reached by the gases in the volume 43 reaches a value sufficient to apply to the rocket 40, via the piston 200, a longitudinal thrust, in the direction 17, suitable for breaking the pin 41, this pin breaks and the rocket 40, with the piston 200, is ejected in the direction 17 out of the tube 4 essentially under the action of the gases released by the combustion of the charge 44, and incidentally under the action of its engine 45 which, then, ensure the advancement of the rocket 40 out of the weapon tube 4; with a slight delay with respect to the ejection of the rocket 40, the rocket corresponding to the tube 7 is ejected from the latter with repetition of the same phenomena; the delay thus established between the respective ejections of the two rockets corresponding to the two diametrically opposite tubes 4 and 7 with reference to the axis 1 is sufficient to avoid progression of these two rockets side by side outside the weapon tubes, with the risk mutual disturbance, but low enough to avoid the gun being shot between the two ejections; it will be noted that in passing, the two rockets leaving the weapon tubes 4 and 7 eject the corresponding plugs 25 and 28 respectively, and perforate the windscreen 232 advantageously having a weakening thickening such as 152 opposite, longitudinally, of each weapon tubes such as 4.

Naturally, the thrust applied to the rockets by the gases emitted by the charges of ejection powder such as 44 in the two diametrically opposed tubes 4 and 7 causes, after rupture of the pins such as 41 for retaining the corresponding rockets, a reaction on the plugs such as 39 corresponding to these two tubes, this reaction having a longitudinal result in the opposite direction to direction 17, along axis 1, taking into account the almost simultaneity of the two ejections and for reasons of symmetry; this reaction is transmitted from the face 141 of the annular plate 38 to the face 140 of the second part 131 of the piston 121 and, from there, to all of the latter and in particular to the plug 124; the loader 3 and the piston 121 then move as a whole integral towards the rear, with reference to the direction 17, being guided longitudinally on the one hand by the skirt 105 with which the first part 122 of the piston 121 and on the other hand by the slide 67 with which the slides 72 and 73 cooperate; this movement is accompanied by a compression of the spring 129 which then acts as a shock absorber between the magazine 3 and the barrel 2, which avoids transmitting to the shooter a violent force towards the rear with reference to the direction 17; the spring 129 is calculated as a function of the forces applied to the two rockets corresponding to the tubes 4 and 7 by the respective corresponding ejection powder charges such as 44, so that the amplitude of this movement is limited to a value such that the face 135 of the piston 121 does not abruptly strike the face 103 of the bottom 95, and for example such that at the end of the stroke, the face 136 of the flange 129 comes to apply with sufficiently low energy to the washer 130 so that the latter interrupts the movement.

Naturally, as soon as the rockets corresponding to the tubes 4 and 7 are taken out of the latter, the gas pressure in the tubes 4 and 7 drops rapidly, and the spring 129 overcompensating for the effects of this gas pressure brings back the piston 121, and with it the charger 123, in the illustrated position in which the plug 124 bears against the head 116 by means of the washer 120.

Preferably, not illustrated but easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art, suitably arranged passages establish communication between the interior of the blind hole 139, the space situated between the part 131 of the piston 121 and the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92 , the space located inside the part 122 of the piston 121 and of the skirt 105 and the interior of the central tube 16 so that the air can move freely from one of these spaces to the other during the movements which have just been described, so as not to hinder these movements.

It will be noted that the recoil movement of the magazine 3 relative to the barrel 2 is accompanied by a similar movement of the slide 76, driven by the slide 72, in the slide 77; the spring 79 urging the slide 76 towards the front is then compressed, but plays only a negligible role in the damping of the movement of the loader 3 towards the rear relative to the barrel 2, and in the recall of the loader 3 towards the front; the spring 79 is in fact calculated only as a function of a return effect of the slide 76 towards the wall 83 when the loader 3 is detached from the barrel 2.

The electrical control means integrated in the housing 56 are designed so that, when the next actuation of the trigger 61, it is the rockets corresponding to two other weapon tubes also diametrically opposite with respect to the axis 1 which are ejected; for example, the igniter, similar to the igniter 147, equipping the weapon tube 6 is actuated, which causes the ignition of the charge of corresponding ejection powder and, with a certain delay introduced by the transmission of fire through channel 149, the ignition of the charge of ejection powder corresponding to the tube 9 diametrically opposite to the tube 6; the rockets corresponding to the tubes 6 and 9 are then ejected as was said above with regard to the rockets of the tubes 4 and 7, under the same conditions and in particular with almost simultaneity but with a slight delay of the rocket from the tube d weapon 9 relative to the rocket of the weapon tube 6; the phenomena described above are reproduced identically.

Then, when the trigger 61 is actuated again, the igniter, similar to the igniter 147, equipping the weapon tube 8 is actuated, which causes the successive ignitions of the charges of ejection powder corresponding respectively to the tube 8 and to the tube 5 diametrically opposite to this tube 8 with reference to the axis 1, by fire transmission via the channel 150; the rocket from the weapon tube 8 is then ejected, immediately followed by the rocket contained in the weapon tube 5 and the phenomena described above are reproduced identically.

The charger 3 is then empty of any rocket and can be disassembled to be replaced by another similar charger; for this purpose, the button 86 is pressed, which releases the slider 72 from the finger 75, and a longitudinal sliding of the loader 3 is brought forward relative to the barrel 2, until the sliders 72 and 73 are released from the slide 67 and the rear of the magazine 3 is released from the sleeve 92; by a reverse movement, a new charger is introduced until the finger 75 is placed opposite the blind hole 74, into which it automatically penetrates under the action of the spring 92, which brings the entire device back to l previously described state; the connection between the connector 144 of the piston 121 and the connector 145 of the new charger 3 takes place automatically when the faces 141 and 140 come into mutual contact; advantageously, a cam track 153 progressively moving away from the axis 1 towards the front, with reference to the direction 17, arranged behind the slide 72, makes it possible to ensure automatic erasure of the finger 75 during the introduction of the slide 72 in the slide 67, before an automatic return of the finger 75 in the terminal hole 74 when they are placed opposite one another.

Naturally, the embodiment of the invention which has just been described constitutes only a nonlimiting example, in particular as regards the design and positioning of the guide means of the loader 3 with longitudinal sliding relative to the barrel 2 , means imposing a limit on the possibilities of relative longitudinal displacement of the loader 3 and the barrel 2, and elastic biasing means ensuring the damping of the recoil movement of the loader 3 relative to the barrel 2 and the recall of the loader 3 towards the 'rear relative to this barrel 2; in particular, although an embodiment of the invention has been described for reasons of simplicity in which these damping and return functions are ensured by exclusively mechanical means, namely the spring 129 and incidentally the spring 79, the skilled person will readily understand that it will be advantageous to partially replace the spring 129, in its function of damping the recoil movement of the loader with respect to the barrel, a longitudinal hydraulic or pneumatic damper by then involving a spring similar to the spring 129 essentially by way of elastic return means of the loader towards the front with respect to the barrel 2 and only additionally as a means of damping the recoil movement of the loader; in a weapon otherwise identical to that which has been described, this hydraulic or pneumatic damper and this spring replacing the spring 129 will advantageously be arranged like the latter, that is to say along axis 1, in the tubular part 122 of the piston 121 and in the skirt 107 of the bottom 95 of the sleeve 92; Similarly, in the case of a magazine comprising six weapon tubes as described, one could provide a different mode of rocket ejection control corresponding to the different weapon tubes, either by providing an automatic sequence or manual ejection different from that which has been described, such as for example an ejection of the rockets one by one with automatic or manual selection of the rockets thus ejected successively, or else an ejection of the rockets in groups of three, with automatic or manual sequencing, or else an ejection of all the rockets when the trigger 61 is actuated; these examples are in no way limiting, and the adaptation of the device which has just been described in each case appears from the normal aptitudes of a person skilled in the art, and does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, magazines could be provided comprising a number of gun tubes different from the number which has been described above, preferably preserving the interchangeability of the magazines relative to the same barrel; if one refers more specifically to the example illustrated, in which the barrel 2 is equipped with a control unit 56 making it possible to selectively transmit from the connector 144 three orders or signals successive ignitions, during three successive actuations of the trigger 61, it will thus be possible to provide mounting on the same barrel 2 of chargers comprising:
- either a single weapon tube, containing a single rocket ejected during the emission of the first of the ignition signals, the other two being not followed up,
- either two weapon tubes, that is to say two ejectable rockets either simultaneously or practically simultaneously during the emission of a first ignition signal, the two other ignition signals not being followed by effect, or when a first ignition signal and then a second ignition signal are sent respectively, the third remaining ineffective,
- or three weapon tubes with successive ejection of the three corresponding rockets during the emission of one, respectively, of the ignition signals or simultaneous or practically simultaneous ejection after emission of the first of the ignition signals, the other two then remaining ineffective,
- either a number of multiple weapon tubes of three, with simultaneous or practically simultaneous ejection of all the rockets on the emission of a first ignition signal, the other two remaining without effect, or selective, successive ejection , linked respectively to the emission of the three possible ignition signals, of three groups of rockets.

Naturally, depending on the number of ignition signals likely to be emitted successively by the control means housed in the housing 56, when the trigger 61 is actuated, any other possibility could be chosen by a person skilled in the art as to the number of weapon tubes and the order of ejection of the corresponding rockets respectively.

Claims (14)

1. Long gun for use as a rocket launcher, comprising at least one longitudinal weapon tube (4 to 9) and a barrel (2) at least partially juxtaposed transversely thereto and comprising means forming a stock (54 ), handle means (57) and fire control means (56, 61), characterized in that the weapon tube (4 to 9) is of a type having a closed transverse end (32 to 37 ), arranged towards the rear with reference to a determined longitudinal direction of fire (17), and in that it is connected to the barrel (2) by means of connection means comprising:
- means (67, 72, 73, 76, 77, 105, 121) for guiding the relative longitudinal sliding,
- mutual stop means (3, 116, 120, 151) limiting the longitudinal sliding of the weapon tube (4 to 9) at least forward, with reference to said direction (17), relative to the barrel (2 ),
- Means (76, 79, 121, 129) of longitudinal elastic biasing of the weapon tube (4 to 9) forwards, with reference to said direction (17), relative to the barrel (2). 2. Weapon according to claim 1, characterized in that the firing control means (56, 61) are electric. 3. Weapon according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the connecting means are adapted to allow the mounting and dismounting of the weapon tube (4 to 9) relative to the barrel (2). 4. Weapon according to claim 3, characterized in that the relative longitudinal sliding guide means (67, 72, 73, 76, 77, 105, 121) comprise means (67, 77, 105) forming a longitudinal slide, arranged on the barrel (2), sliding means (72, 75, 76, 121) mounted to slide on the sliding means (67, 77, 106), additional removable locking means (74, 75) carried respectively by the slide means (76) and by the weapon tube (4 to 9). 5. Weapon according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means (79, 129) of elastic biasing of the means forming a slide (76, 121) towards the front, with reference to said direction (17), with respect to slide means (77, 105), and in that the mutual stop means (83, 116, 120, 151) include stop means (83, 116, 120, 151) of the slide means (76, 121) forward, with reference to said direction (17) relative to the slide means (77, 105). 6. Weapon according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a longitudinal sleeve (92) integral with the barrel (2), located in a rear region thereof with reference to said direction ( 17) and receiving the weapon tube (4 to 9) in longitudinal sliding, and in that the means (76, 79, 121, 129) of elastic loading of the weapon tube (4 to 9) forwards , with reference to said direction (17), relative to the barrel (2) comprise a piston (121) mounted for longitudinal sliding in the sleeve (92) and against which the weapon tube (4 to 9) bears towards the rear with reference to said direction (17), by said closed transverse end (32 to 37), means (129) of elastic biasing of the piston (121) towards the front, with reference to said direction (17), with respect to the sleeve (92), and means (116, 120) for abutting the piston (121) towards the front, with reference to said direction (17), relative to the sleeve (92). 7. Weapon according to claims 6 and 2 in combination, characterized in that said closed transverse end (32 to 37), the piston (121) and the weapon tube (4 to 9) comprise, in the respective positions being longitudinally facing, complementary means (144, 145) for electrical connection of the fire control means (56, 61). 8. Weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of weapon tubes (4 to 9) longitudinal of said type, mutually juxtaposed transversely and mutually integral, connected to the barrel (2) by said connecting means, in that the weapon tubes (4 to 9) are regularly distributed angularly about a longitudinal axis (1) and in that the elastic biasing means (76, 79, 121, 129) have a line of action substantially coinciding with said axis (1), between the weapon tubes (4 to 9). 9. Weapon according to claim 8, characterized in that the firing control means (56, 61) comprise means (61) for tube selection. 10. Weapon according to claim 9, characterized in that the weapon tubes (4 to 9) are in even number, distributed in groups of two weapon tubes mutually symmetrical with respect to said axis (1), and in that the tube selection means (61) are constituted by group selection means (61) of two weapon tubes mutually symmetrical with respect to said axis (1). 11. Weapon according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the selection means (61) are automatic and sequential. 12. Weapon according to any one of claims 6 and 7 in combination with any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the weapon tubes (2 to 9) delimit them, along said axis (1) , a longitudinal housing (16, 109), in that the piston (12) has integrally along said axis (1) a tubular extension (122) towards the front, with reference to said direction (17), inside said housing (109), in that the sleeve (92) carries integrally, behind the piston (121), with reference to said direction (17), a transverse bottom (95) integrally carrying a rod (114) projecting towards the before, with reference to said direction (17), following said axis (1), said rod (114) passing through said tubular extension (114) right through and integrally presenting a transverse head (116) of abutment inside said housing (16, 109), in front of said extension tubular (122) with reference to said direction (17), and in that said tubular extension (122) bears integrally between said transverse bottom (95) and said stop head (116) a flange (124) mounted with longitudinal sliding on the rod (114) and pressing respectively forwards and backwards, with reference to said direction (17), against said stop head (116) and against a helical spring of longitudinal compression (129) housed between said rod ( 114) and said tubular extension (122) and itself bearing against said bottom (95) towards the rear, with reference to said direction (17). 13. Weapon according to claim 12, characterized in that said transverse bottom (95) bears integrally, around said rod (114) and said spring (129), inside said tubular extension (122), a longitudinal skirt (105) for guiding the latter in longitudinal sliding. 14. Weapon according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said closed transverse end (32 to 37) of the weapon tube (4 to 9) comprises a pyrotechnic charge (44) for rocket ejection ( 40) and initiation of pyrotechnic means (45) for rocket propulsion (40), said charge (44) being capable of being ignited by actuation of the fire control means (56, 61).

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