EP3267141A1 - Weapon system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a weapon system with a weapon tower (4) arranged so as to be capable of being directed relative to a substructure (2) about an azimuth aiming axis (A), a weapon (3) arranged within the substructure (2) and storing a plurality of ammunition bodies (5). 6) for supplying the weapon (3) with ammunition bodies (5) and an ammunition feeding device (7) conveying the ammunition bodies (5) from the magazine (6) in the direction of the weapon (3), the ammunition feeding means (7) for compensating the straightening movements of the turret (4) has a transfer element (8) rotatably mounted about the azimuth aiming axis (A).

Description

The invention relates to a weapon system with a relative to a substructure about a Azimutrichtachse arranged, carrying a weapon turret, arranged within the substructure, several ammunition stockpiling magazine for supplying the weapon with ammunition and ammunition from the magazine in the direction of the weapon promotional ammunition feeding ,

Such weapon systems are used, for example, in a mobile form as combat vehicles, tanks or howitzer or as stationary weapon systems on military buildings such as bunkers or other defenses.

Usually, the weapon systems have a gun arranged on a weapon tower, which is rotatably mounted relative to a substructure about a vertical Azimutrichtachse, whereby the weapon can be addressed laterally. In the substructure may be a mobile weapon system to the trough of a vehicle and at a stationary weapon station, for example, the protected area of a bunker on which the turret is mounted rotatably.

To supply the weapon with ammunition, a plurality of ammunition storage-storing magazine is usually arranged in the protected interior of the base, from which the ammunition can be removed and the weapon arranged on the tower side can be supplied.

As a rule, this ammunition supply in the direction of the weapon also takes place in modern military combat vehicles by hand by the so-called. Loaders. The loader first removes from the magazine an ammunition body, which he then aligns according to the directional position of the weapon or the turret. In a next step, the loader can then heave up the ammunition body in the area of the turret and bring him into the weapon or in the charging system associated with the weapon.

However, as the ammunition bodies are sometimes quite heavy in weight, manual feeding is very cumbersome, which is why automatic ammunition feeders have been developed in the past to handle the loader's work.

However, such devices, which are most reminiscent of robotic arms, require handling of ammunition roundabouts in the area of the substructure a lot of space, which is particularly disadvantageous in very tight spaces such as in military vehicles.

The invention therefore has the task of specifying a weapon system, which allows a simple and space-saving loading of the weapon.

This object is achieved with a weapon system of the type described at the outset that the Munitionszuführeinrichtung to compensate for the directional motion of the gun turret comprises a directional about the azimuth axis rotatably supported transfer element. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims.

By the rotational movement of the transfer element to the Azimutrichtachse the turret ammunition taken from the magazine ammunition can be easily and space-saving manner adapted to the directional position of the turret and thus also to the weapon. The physical effort of a loader when loading is significantly reduced. Because the loader does not have to adapt the ammunition body itself to the directional position of the weapon. In addition, a rotatable about the azimuth aiming transfer element allows a very space-saving adaptation of the ammunition to the directional position of the turret. The weapons system according to the invention thus enables easy loading of the weapon, without significantly reducing the space required by the loader.

With regard to the transfer element is also proposed to arrange this in ammunition flow from the magazine to the weapon between the magazine and the weapon. With this arrangement, ammunition stored in the magazine can be easily transferred to the transfer element. The transfer element is arranged in an advantageous embodiment such that in the magazine stockpiled ammunition from the magazine the transfer element can be pushed or introduced into the transfer element.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the turret has a projecting into the region of the substructure tower basket. The transfer element can be arranged, for example, in the lower region of the tower basket or connected thereto, so that the transfer element does not have to be supported relative to the floor of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the transfer element is configured as a turntable and is rotatable back and forth between a receiving position and a transfer position. An embodiment as a turntable is particularly favorable in terms of space, because a turntable has only a very small amount, so that above the turntable still room for other components of the ammunition feeder and / or remains for a loader gunners. In the receiving position ammunition can be removed from the magazine in or on the transfer element. In a preferred embodiment ammunition can be ejected from the magazine. In the transfer position, ammunition bodies can be removed from or from the transfer element or can also be transferred to a further component of the ammunition supply device.

With regard to the reception of an ammunition body, it is proposed that the transfer element has at least one receiving tray for the position-secure reception of an ammunition body. A receptacle allows a safe recording of an ammunition body. Furthermore, it is advantageous to lock the ammunition body in the receiving tray, so that it is also secured in position during a movement of the receiving tray or the transfer element. The receiving tray may for example have a holding or gripping device. The ammunition cup can open be arranged the transfer element and be formed as a half-open receiving tray in the form of a semi-open hollow cylinder. Furthermore, it is also possible that the receiving tray is adapted to the contour of the ammunition body, which can further improve the positional security of the ammunition body.

In the receiving position, the receiving tray can be aligned with ammunition bodies located in the magazine, so that ammunition bodies can be conveyed in a simple manner from the magazine into the receiving tray, in particular inserted.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the receiving tray for receiving ammunition bodies, which are stored in different positions within the magazine, is arranged transversely to the azimuth aiming axis movable on the transfer element. By a movement transversely to the Azimutrichtachse the receiving tray can be arranged in different positions, so that even in the magazine at different locations arranged ammunition body in a simple manner can be introduced into the receiving tray. Such a movement is particularly advantageous if the ammunition in the magazine are stored mehrreihig or if several magazines are arranged side by side, so that the stockpiled ammunition body does not have to be moved to a fixed Ausschubposition in the magazine.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the transfer element has several, in particular two receiving shells, which are arranged on opposite sides transversely to the azimuth aiming axis. Through several receiving trays, the speed of removal or the intake of ammunition bodies can be improved. Furthermore, this embodiment is particularly advantageous when a very wide magazine is present, since then each receiving a tray for removal of ammunition bodies on one side of the magazine. Two receiving trays are also particularly advantageous when two individual magazines are present, so that in each case a receiving tray is available for receiving ammunition stored in a magazine ammunition.

With regard to a plurality of receiving trays, it has furthermore proven to be advantageous if the receiving trays are arranged to be movable independently of one another transversely to the azimuth aiming axis. This allows greater flexibility, since then, for example, from two magazines ammunition can be removed, which are arranged in different positions in the respective magazine.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the weapon system on an ammunition lift for carrying ammunition bodies in the turret, which is arranged in the ammunition flow between the transfer element and the weapon. Through the ammunition lift, the loading of the weapon can be further simplified and automated. Because the ammunition lift, for example, take on the task of charging protection to spend the ammunition body up in the turret.

It is advantageous if the ammunition lift is arranged behind the transfer element in the flow of ammunition, so that the ammunition bodies can first be adapted by the transfer element to the directional position of the weapon or the weapon tower and then be brought into the weapon tower by means of the ammunition lift. It is also advantageous if the ammunition lift is arranged as far as possible in the edge region of the tower basket of the turret, so that it requires as little space as possible below the turret.

In a further development of the invention, it is proposed that the ammunition lift is tower-mounted, which is particularly in view of the space in the Tower basket has been found to be advantageous. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the ammunition lift of the weapon of the turret is arranged opposite, so that much more usable space remains between the weapon and the ammunition lift.

With respect to the ammunition lift is proposed that this has a lifting element which is movable between a transfer position for taking over an ammunition from the transfer element in a higher transfer position for passing the ammunition body. The lifting element allows a simple and space-saving way a carriage of an ammunition body in the turret. The ammunition body can first be rotated by the transfer element into the transfer position and then moved by means of the ammunition lift in the transfer position up into the tower. The lifting element can be moved back and forth linearly between the transfer position and the transfer position. Advantageously, the lifting element is guided in the manner of a carriage in a linear guide, so that the lifting element or the ammunition lift need only little space in the tower basket. Furthermore, it is possible that the lifting element has a drive, for example in the form of a rack and pinion drive, whereby it can move along the linear guide. Additionally or alternatively, other drive concepts are possible, for example, the lifting element can be moved via a cable or other pulling device up or down. The ammunition body can be passed in the forwarding position to another component of the ammunition supply device or even moved by a loader guns, in particular be introduced into the weapon or a corresponding charging system.

With respect to the lifting element, it has proven to be advantageous if this is pivotable at the upper end of the stroke in the transfer position. The transfer order may, for example, in relation to the transfer position be arranged on the opposite side of the linear guide. The lifting element can be pivoted in particular by 180 ° at the end of the stroke.

In a preferred embodiment, a holding switch is in particular detachably attached to the lifting element, which has means for locking an ammunition body in the holding shell. The means for locking may include, for example, grippers, clamps or brackets with which an ammunition body can be held in the holder. The holding cup may be a half-shell in the form of a half-open hollow cylinder. In the transfer position, the holding cup can grip from above about ammunition in the transfer position. By the means for locking an ammunition body can be locked in the holding shell, so that the ammunition body can be lifted by the holding shell in the manner of a crane from the receiving tray. The lifting element can be arranged in this transfer position above the holding shell or above an ammunition body. If the lifting element is pivoted with a holding cup arranged thereon in the transfer position, also in the holding cup ammunition body can be pivoted with. In the forwarding position, the ammunition body may be due to the pivoting movement in the holding shell, so that in this position, the lifting element can be arranged below the holding shell. Even in the lying position of the ammunition body may still be locked in the holder. The holding cup can be arranged perpendicular to the tube axis of the weapon, which can be advantageous in terms of space requirements of the ammunition lift below the turret.

In a further development of the invention, it is proposed that the weapon system has a loading device for loading the weapon with an ammunition body, which is arranged in the ammunition flow from the magazine to the weapon between the ammunition lift and the weapon. Through this charger can the ammunition feeder further automated and the work of a loader even completely replaced. The loading device may be fixed to the tower and in particular be arranged within the turret, so that this advantageously requires no space in the substructure or in the tower basket. By the transfer element, the ammunition lift and the charging device, thus a fully automatic charging can be realized.

Furthermore, it is proposed with respect to the loading device that it has at least one gripper for gripping a holding shell with an ammunition body locked therein. With this gripper, the loading device can lift a holding tray from the lifting element. Preferably, the loading device has at least four individual grippers, of which two are each arranged on opposite sides, so that a holding tray can be gripped with these. The loading device can be arranged above the ammunition lift or above the loading tray located in the forwarding position, so that the grippers can first be moved from above over the loading tray and then grip the loading tray in this gripping position.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the loading device is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation extending parallel to the axis of azimuth, so that a gripped holding tray can be transferred into a loading position. In the loading position ammunition body can be introduced into the weapon or in the barrel. Since the charging device is arranged tower-fixed, the angle of rotation by which the holding cup is rotated, fixed, since only the transfer device allows an adjustment of the ammunition body to the directional position of the weapon. For example, depending on the position of the ammunition lift, the holding cup can be rotated by 90 ° about the axis of rotation.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the loading device can also be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the azimuth axis extending elevation adjustment axis. A rotation about this axis allows an adjustment with respect to the alignment of an ammunition body to the elevation of the weapon.

Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous if the loading device for loading the weapon with ammunition bodies between a gripping position and the loading position is movable, in particular linearly movable. Since the ammunition lift can be arranged on the edge of the tower basket due to the space saving, and the charging device can be arranged on the edge of the turret opposite to the weapon, so that next to the ammunition lift above the transfer element and below the charger freinutzbarer space remains. This space can be taken, for example, by a gunner, because due to the fully automatic charging no charging contactors is needed. The loading device can be moved linearly in such a way that the holding shell lies in the loading position in front of the weapon or weapon barrel, so that then in a next step the weapon can be loaded.

In this context, it has been found to be advantageous if the loading device has a feed slide, with which in the loading position an ammunition body can be inserted into the weapon. The feed slider may be linearly movable and abut the rear end of the ammunition body. By moving the feed gate, the ammunition body can be accelerated and engulfed in the weapon barrel. The means for locking can be solved before the feeding process. After the ammunition body is introduced into the weapon, the holding shell can be moved from the loading device back to the ammunition lift and then back to the transfer position, where then another ammunition body can be removed from the receiving tray located in the transfer position.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Waffensystems;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Übergabeelements gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht durch das Übergabeelement und den Munitionslift;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Ansicht des Munitionsflusses vom Übergabeelement zur Ladevorrichtung; und

Fig. 5a bis 5d

perspektivische Ansichten der Ladevorrichtung in verschiedenen Stellungen.

In the following, further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the attached drawings 1 to 5d of an exemplary embodiment. Show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the weapon system;

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of the transfer element according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a sectional view through the transfer element and the ammunition lift;

Fig. 4

a schematic view of the ammunition flow from the transfer element to the loading device; and

Fig. 5a to 5d

perspective views of the loader in different positions.

In the Fig. 1 a mobile weapon system 1 in the form of a combat vehicle is shown in a perspective side view. For the sake of simplicity, only the weapon tower 4 with the weapon 3 and the area of the tower basket below the weapon tower 4 and the magazine 6 arranged in the base 2 are shown by the weapon system 1.

The control of the vehicle and the weapon 3 or the weapon tower 4 is assumed in this exemplary embodiment of two people who sit in corresponding tower-mounted seats below the turret 4.

For straightening the weapon 3 or the turret 4, it is mounted so as to be capable of being aligned about an azimuth pointing axis A shown by dot-dash lines in the illustrations. Due to the tower-mounted arrangement of the seats in the tower basket, they also turn according to the directional movements of the turret 4 to the Azimutrichtachse A and the people always look in the direction of the weapon. 3

To supply the weapon 3 with ammunition bodies 5, two magazines 6 are arranged in the region of the base 2 on opposite sides, in which a plurality of ammunition bodies 5 is stored. For the transport of the ammunition body 5 to the weapon 3, a fully automatic ammunition supply device 7 is arranged in the ammunition flow between the magazine 6 and the weapon 3, on the functionality and structure of the following in relation to the other Fig. 2 to 5 will be discussed in more detail.

The ammunition supply device 7 essentially has three different components, namely a transfer element 8, an ammunition lift 10 and a loading device 12.

The transfer element 8 is in the representation of Fig. 2 shown in an enlarged perspective side view in the lower part of the tower basket below the seats. The transfer element 8 represents the first component of the ammunition supply device 7 in the flow of ammunition and serves to adapt individual ammunition bodies 5 to the directional movement of the weapon 3. In order to achieve this, the transfer element 8, just like the weapon 3 or the weapon tower 4, is rotatably mounted about the azimuth aiming axis A, but not rotationally coupled thereto.

For receiving an ammunition body 5, designed as a turntable transfer element 8 on opposite sides of the Azimutrichtachse A, as for example in the Fig. 3 it can be seen, two receiving trays 9, which are formed as elongated half shells open on both sides. In the representations of the Fig. 1 and 2 the transfer element 8 is shown in a receiving position AN. In this position, the receiving cups 9 are aligned with the stocked in the magazine 6 ammunition bodies 5, so that they are inserted from the magazine 6 in the corresponding receiving shells 9.

Just as this is based on the Fig. 3 it can be seen, the receiving trays 9 are mounted independently of each other transversely to the azimuth axis A movable. Since in the magazine 6 three ammunition bodies 5 are mounted side by side in the lowest level, a receiving position AN can be approached by the transverse movement of the receiving trays 9, in which a corresponding ammunition body 5 can be inserted directly from the magazine 6 into the receiving tray 9.

Once a receiving tray 9 has been fitted with an ammunition body 5, the transfer element 8 can then be rotated to adapt to the directional movements of the turret 4 to the azimuth axis A in the transfer position UG. In this transfer position UG, the ammunition bodies 5 are arranged such that they can be picked up by the tower-mounted ammunition lift 10 and then brought upwards into the weapon tower 4. The ammunition lift 10 is arranged below the weapon tower 4 at the edge of the tower basket and opposite the weapon 3. An ammunition lift 10 associated holding cup 13 for receiving ammunition bodies 5, whose function will be described below, is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the pipe axis of the weapon 3. In this way arises between the ammunition lift 10 and the weapon 3 enough space for two people, as shown in the representation of Fig. 1 can be seen.

The ammunition lift 10 has for carrying ammunition bodies 5 in the turret 4 on a guided in a linear guide lifting element 11 at which the holding cup 13 is releasably attached. As it is in the representations of Fig. 3 can be seen, the lifting element 11 can be moved together with the Hatteschale 13 from above via a located in the transfer position UG ammunition body 5 and then locked in the holder 13 via locking means not shown in the figures. When the lifting element 11 is moved upwards along the linear guide, the ammunition body 5 is lifted out of the receiving tray 9 of the transfer element 8 and moved upwards into the weapon tower 4 of the weapon system 1.

As shown in Fig. 4 folds the lifting element 11 together with the holding circuit 13 at the upper end of the stroke, so that the ammunition body 5 then lies in the holding cup 13 and is disposed above the lifting element 11. In this so-called forwarding position W, the holding cup 13 can be picked up by a loading device 12 and then introduced into the weapon 3 in a next step.

The construction and the mode of operation of the charging device 12 will be described below in particular with reference to the various illustrations in FIG Fig. 5a to 5d be explained in more detail. In these figures, the loading device 12 is shown in a different position in a perspective side view in each case.

First, the loading device 12 is located in an in Fig. 5a shown parking position P until the holder 13 has been moved into the turret 4 and pivoted into the transfer position W. As soon as the holding cup 13 with an ammunition body 5 located therein is ready for transfer, the loading device 12 as shown in FIG Fig. 5b move over the holder 13. For receiving the holding cup 13, the loading device 12 has four grippers 14 arranged on opposite sides, with which the holding cup 13 is received in a secured manner or can be grasped. In this so-called gripping position G, the holding shell 13 can now be released from the lifting element 11 and the ammunition body 5 are then supplied to the weapon 3 in a next step, as in the other FIGS. 5c and 5d is shown.

First, the removed from the lifting element 11 retaining cup 13 with the ammunition body 5 to those in the Fig. 5c shown rotation axis D are rotated, so that the ammunition body 5 points in the direction of the weapon 3. In a next step, the holding cup 13 is then linearly over the heads of in Fig. 1 shown persons moved in the direction of the weapon 3, so that the holding cup 13 rests on the end of the weapon barrel of the weapon 3.

In a next step, the ammunition body 5 is inserted from the holding cup 13 in the barrel. For this purpose, the loading device 12 has a feed slide 15, which rests against the rear side of the ammunition body 5 and can thus accelerate it in the direction of the weapon barrel and push it out of the holding cup 13. After the ammunition body 5 has been spent in the weapon barrel of the weapon 3, the loading device 12 moves the now empty holding cup 13 back to the lifting element 11 and then back into the in the Fig. 5a shown parking position P. The lifting element 11 moves together with the holding cup 13 back into the transfer position UN to take there another ammunition body 5 from the receiving tray 9 of the transfer element 8.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to fully automatically load the weapon 3 in a very space-saving manner with an ammunition body 5. On the one hand, because of the fully automatic mode of operation, no more loading guns are required for loading the weapon 3 and, on the other hand, the ammunition feed device 7 is space-saving, in particular because of the very flat transfer element 8 and the very narrow ammunition lift 10, in addition to the automatic ammunition feed device 7 two person in the substructure 2 below the turret 4 in the tower basket find space.

Reference numerals:

1

weapon system

2

substructure

3

weapon

4

turret

5

ammunition

6

magazine

7

Munitionszuführeinrichtung

8th

Transfer element

9

receiving dish

10

ammunition lift

11

lifting

12

loader

13

Halteschale

14

grab

15

feed pusher

A

Azimuth directional axis

D

axis of rotation

AT

receiving position

G

gripping position

L

loading position

P

parking position

UG

Transfer position

U.N.

over position

W

Next transfer position

Claims (15)

Weapon system with a relative to a substructure (2) about a Azimutrichtachse (A) arranged arranged, a weapon (3) carrying a weapons tower (4), within the substructure (2) arranged, several ammunition (5) stockpiling magazine (6) for supply the weapon (3) with ammunition bodies (5) and an ammunition feeding device (7) conveying the ammunition bodies (5) from the magazine (6) in the direction of the weapon (3),
characterized,
that the Munitionszuführeinrichtung (7) to compensate for the directional motion of the gun turret (4) comprises a directional about the azimuth axis (A) rotatably supported transfer element (8). Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer element (8) in the ammunition flow from the magazine (6) to the weapon (3), between the magazine (6) and the weapon (3) is arranged. Weapon system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer element (8) is designed as a turntable and between a receiving position (AN) and a transfer position (UG) is rotatable back and forth. Weapon system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer element (8) has at least one receiving tray (9) for positionally secured receiving an ammunition body (5). Weapon system according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving tray (9) for receiving ammunition bodies (5), which are stored in different positions within the magazine (6), is arranged transversely to the Azimutrichtachse (A) movable on the transfer element (8). Weapon system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ammunition lift (10) for transporting ammunition bodies (5) into the weapon tower (4), which is arranged in the ammunition flow between the transfer element (8) and the weapon (3). Weapon system according to claim 6, characterized in that the ammunition lift (10) is arranged tower-fixed. Weapon system according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the ammunition lift (10) has a lifting element (11) which moves between a transfer position (UN) for transferring an ammunition body (5) from the transfer element (8) to a higher transfer position (8). W) for passing the ammunition body (5) is movable. Weapon system according to claim 8, characterized in that the lifting element (11) at the upper end of the stroke in the transfer position (W) is pivotable. Weapon system according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized by a particular releasably connected to the lifting element (11) holding cup (13) having means for locking an ammunition body (5) in the holding cup (13). Weapon system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a loading device (12) for loading the weapon (3) with an ammunition body (5) which is in the flow of ammunition from the magazine (6). to the weapon (3) between the ammunition lift (10) and the weapon (3) is arranged. Weapon system according to claim 11, characterized in that the loading device (12) has at least one gripper (14) for gripping a holding shell (13) with an ammunition body (5) locked therein. Weapon system according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the loading device (12) is rotatably mounted about a parallel to Azimutrichtachse (A) extending axis of rotation (D), so that a gripped holding shell (13) in a loading position (L) can be transferred is. Weapon system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the loading device (12) for loading the weapon (3) with ammunition bodies (5) between a gripping position (G) and the loading position (L) is movable, in particular linearly movable. Having with which in the loading position (L) an ammunition body (5) in the weapon (3) is insertable weapon system according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the charging device (12) has a feed slide (15).

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