EP4283240A1 - Verbessertes selbstfahrendes waffensystem - Google Patents

Verbessertes selbstfahrendes waffensystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4283240A1
EP4283240A1 EP22275070.5A EP22275070A EP4283240A1 EP 4283240 A1 EP4283240 A1 EP 4283240A1 EP 22275070 A EP22275070 A EP 22275070A EP 4283240 A1 EP4283240 A1 EP 4283240A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chassis
axis
wheel
recoil
gun barrel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22275070.5A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems PLC
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BAE Systems PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BAE Systems PLC filed Critical BAE Systems PLC
Priority to EP22275070.5A priority Critical patent/EP4283240A1/de
Priority to PCT/GB2023/051231 priority patent/WO2023227858A1/en
Publication of EP4283240A1 publication Critical patent/EP4283240A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A23/00—Gun mountings, e.g. on vehicles; Disposition of guns on vehicles
    • F41A23/28—Wheeled-gun mountings; Endless-track gun mountings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A23/00—Gun mountings, e.g. on vehicles; Disposition of guns on vehicles
    • F41A23/34—Gun mountings, e.g. on vehicles; Disposition of guns on vehicles on wheeled or endless-track vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A23/00—Gun mountings, e.g. on vehicles; Disposition of guns on vehicles
    • F41A23/56—Arrangements for adjusting the gun platform in the vertical or horizontal position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a self-propelled gun system.
  • recoil forces are managed by recoil systems and the forces can be reduced by increasing the length of the recoil stroke and/or increasing the recoiling mass as, via conservation of momentum, this reduces the recoil velocity and hence energy.
  • these features all add weight, making it very hard to create a stable light weight system.
  • a self-propelled gun system comprising a chassis (200) extending along an x-axis, a first end (202) of the chassis (200) and a second end (204) of the chassis (200) spaced apart from one another along the x-axis.
  • the chassis (200) may extend along a y-axis, a first side (206) of the chassis (200) and a second side (208) of the chassis (200) spaced apart from one another along the y-axis.
  • the x-axis is at right angles to the y-axis.
  • the self-propelled gun system (10) may further comprise a gun barrel (300) having a gun barrel axis (302), the gun barrel (300) being mounted to the chassis (200) by a pivot mount (304), the gun barrel (300) being pivotable relative to the x-axis about a pivot axis (310) aligned and/or parallel with the y-axis.
  • the self-propelled gun system (10) may further comprise a chassis (200) suspension system (400) comprising a first wheel arm (402) extending away from the chassis (200) to a first wheel (404), the first wheel (404) being rotatably mounted on the first wheel arm (402), the first wheel (404) configured for engagement with, and travelling along, a support surface (500) to support the chassis (200), when in transit, a distance (Dz) apart from the support surface (500) in a z-axis, the z-axis being perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis.
  • a chassis (200) suspension system (400) comprising a first wheel arm (402) extending away from the chassis (200) to a first wheel (404), the first wheel (404) being rotatably mounted on the first wheel arm (402), the first wheel (404) configured for engagement with, and travelling along, a support surface (500) to support the chassis (200), when in transit, a distance (Dz) apart from
  • the self-propelled gun system (10) may further comprise a recoil mitigation system (900) comprising a recoil support leg (902) which extends away from the chassis (200) to a foot end (904), the foot end (904) operable to engage with the support surface (500) during firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • the foot end (904) of the recoil support leg (902) may be operable to be spaced apart from the support surface (500) when the gun system (10) is in transit.
  • the recoil support leg (902) may be configured to react against recoil force (Fr) in the z-axis from the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • the recoil mitigation system (900) may further comprise a wheel brake control device (600) configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel (404) after the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300) and after the rotatable first wheel (404) has started rotating along the support surface (500) in response to the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • a wheel brake control device (600) configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel (404) after the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300) and after the rotatable first wheel (404) has started rotating along the support surface (500) in response to the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • the gun barrel (300) may be constrained to pivot about the pivot axis (310) in a plane of movement extending through the x-axis and z-axis.
  • the gun barrel (300) may be constrained to pivot about the pivot axis (310) between -5 degrees to the x-axis and +75 degrees to the x-axis.
  • the gun barrel (300) may be rotatable about the z-axis, limited to be rotatable no more than +/- 5 degrees relative to a direction parallel to the x-axis around the z-axis.
  • the recoil support leg (902) may be pivotable and/or extendable between: a first configuration in which the foot end (904) of the recoil support leg (902) is spaced apart from the support surface (500) when the gun system (10) is in transit; and a second configuration in which the foot end (904) is engaged with the support surface (500) during firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • the foot end (904) of the recoil support leg (902) may comprise a sledge (920) configured to frictionally engage with the support surface (500) to inhibit movement of the chassis (200) in the x-axis by a recoil force (Fr) from the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • the foot end (904) of the recoil support leg (902) may be defined by a wheel (922) rotatably mounted to recoil support leg (902).
  • the self-propelled gun system (10) may further comprise a wheel brake control device (600) configured for applying a braking force to the recoil support leg rotatable wheel (922) after the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300) and after the rotatable first wheel (404) has started rotating along the support surface (500) in response to the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • a wheel brake control device 600
  • the wheel brake control device (600) of the first wheel arm rotatable wheel (404) and/or recoil support leg (902) rotatable wheel (922) may be a regenerative braking device (602), magnetic impedance braking device and/or friction braking device.
  • the regenerative braking device (602) may be operably linked with a rechargeable electric storage device (700) and the chassis first wheel (404) and/or the rotatable wheel (922) of the recoil support leg (902) for generating an electrical current by decelerating the chassis first wheel (404) and/or recoil support leg rotatable wheel (922) and thereby dissipating the recoil of the gun barrel (300).
  • the self-propelled gun system (10) may further comprise a processor (610) in communication with the regenerative braking device (602) and the rechargeable electric storage device (700) such that in response to a first movement of the chassis (200) along the support surface (500), the processor (610) causes the regenerative device (602) to decelerate the chassis first wheel (404) and/or recoil support leg (902) rotatable wheel (922).
  • a processor (610) in communication with the regenerative braking device (602) and the rechargeable electric storage device (700) such that in response to a first movement of the chassis (200) along the support surface (500), the processor (610) causes the regenerative device (602) to decelerate the chassis first wheel (404) and/or recoil support leg (902) rotatable wheel (922).
  • the chassis first wheel arm (402) may extend away from the chassis (200) to the first wheel (404) at an angle to the x-axis, y-axis and/or z-axis.
  • a resilient suspension unit (420) may extend between the chassis (200) and the chassis first wheel arm (402).
  • the gun barrel (300) may have a front end (320) and a muzzle (322) provided towards the front end (320).
  • the gun barrel (300) may have a rear end (324) and a breech assembly (326) provided at the rear end (324).
  • the gun barrel (300) may be coupled to a recoil mechanism (330) comprising a recuperator (332) for mitigating a recoil force (Fr) along the gun barrel axis (302) from the firing of a projectile (340) from the gun barrel (300).
  • a recoil mechanism 330
  • recuperator 332
  • Fr recoil force
  • the chassis suspension system (400) may further comprise a first leg strut (240), the first leg strut (240) pivotably attached to the chassis (200) at a coupling end (242), and extending to a foot (244) configured for engagement with the support surface (500) to support the chassis (200) apart from the support surface (500).
  • the unladen mass of the self-propelled gun system may be no greater than 10 tonnes or no greater than 5 tonnes.
  • a self-propelled gun system with a recoil mitigation system configured to react against recoil force in a vertical (z-axis) direction and horizontal (x-axis) direction which is stable and lightweight compared to examples of the related art.
  • the present disclosure relates to a self-propelled gun system 10 having a recoil mitigation system 100. This is shown diagrammatically Figures 1 to 7 .
  • the self-propelled gun system 10 may comprise a powertrain 800 such as an internal combustion engine, electric motor or hybrid motor, wherein the drive may be transferred by an appropriate means (for example, drive shafts) to wheels 404, 1404. Other apparatus on the system 10 may be electrically powered.
  • the wheels 404, 1404 are coupled to and driveable by the powertrain 800 to propel the gun system 10.
  • the unladen mass of the self-propelled gun system 10 may be no greater than 10 tonnes.
  • the unladen mass of the self-propelled gun system 10 may be no greater than 5 tonnes.
  • the self-propelled gun system 10 comprises a chassis 200 extending along an x-axis.
  • a first end 202 of the chassis 200 and a second end 204 of the chassis 200 are spaced apart from one another along the length of the chassis 200 along the x-axis.
  • the chassis 200 extends along a y-axis along the width of the chassis 200.
  • a first side 206 of the chassis 200 and a second side 208 of the chassis 200 are spaced apart from one another across the width of the chassis 200 along the y-axis.
  • the x-axis is at right angles to the y-axis.
  • the gun barrel 300 has a barrel axis 302, the barrel 300 being mounted to the chassis 200 by a pivot mount 304.
  • the barrel 300 is pivotable relative to the x-axis about a pivot axis 310 aligned and/or parallel with the y-axis.
  • the barrel 300 may have a front end 320, with a muzzle 322 provided towards the front end 320.
  • the barrel 300 has a rear end 324, with a breech assembly 326 provided at the rear end 324.
  • the gun barrel 300 may be coupled to a recoil mechanism 330 comprising a recuperator 332 for mitigating a recoil force Fr along the barrel axis 302 from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the self-propelled gun system 10 further includes a chassis suspension system 400 comprising a first wheel arm 402 extending away from the chassis 200 to a first wheel 404.
  • the chassis first wheel arm 402 may extend away from the chassis 200 towards a support surface 500 (e.g. the ground) at an angle to the x-axis, y-axis and/or z-axis.
  • the first wheel 404 is rotatably mounted on the first wheel arm 402.
  • the self-propelled gun system 10 may further comprise a second wheel arm 1402 configured, mounted and operable as the first wheel arm 402. As with the first wheel arm 402, the second wheel arm 1402 extends away from the chassis 200, towards the support surface 500 (e.g. the ground) at an angle to the x-axis, y-axis and/or z-axis, to a second wheel 1404.
  • the second wheel 1404 is rotatably mounted on the second wheel arm 1402.
  • the second wheel arm 1402 is configured to operate in the same way as the first wheel arm 402. Hence features and operation of the first wheel arm 402 herein described are equally applicable to the second wheel arm 1402, even where the second arm 1402 is not specifically referenced.
  • the platform/chassis 200 may be (at least in part) supported on wheels 404, 1404 via a suspension system 400.
  • the first wheel 404 is configured for engagement with the support surface 500 (e.g. the ground).
  • the first wheel arm 402 and first wheel 404 are configured to support the chassis 200, when in transit, a distance Dz apart from the support surface 500 in the z-axis, the z-axis being perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis.
  • the second wheel 1404 is configured for engagement with the support surface 500, the second wheel arm 1402 and second wheel 1404 configured to support the chassis 200, when in transit, the distance Dz apart from the support surface 500 in the z-axis.
  • the second wheel arm 1402 and second wheel 1404 are configured to support the chassis 200 together with the first wheel arm 402 and first wheel 404 the distance (Dz) apart from the support surface 500 in a z-axis.
  • the first wheel arm 402 and second wheel arm 1402 extend away from each other on opposite sides of the chassis 200. That is to say the first wheel arm 402 and second wheel arm 1402 are opposite each other across the x-axis. Put another way, the first wheel arm 402 extends away from the chassis 200 from the first side 206 of the chassis 200 and the second wheel arm 1402 extends away from the chassis 200 from the second side 208 of the chassis 200.
  • the wheel arm 402 and the second wheel arm 1402 form a pair of wheel arms 402, 1402 to which are attached a pair of wheels 404, 1404.
  • the gun system 10 may comprise further pairs of wheel arms 402, 1402 and wheels 404, 1404.
  • Each pair of wheel arms 402, 1402 and wheels 404, 1404 may be spaced apart from the others along the length (i.e. x-axis) of the chassis 200.
  • the or each pair of wheel arms 402, 1402 work together to support the chassis 200 the distance Dz apart from the support surface 500 in a z-axis.
  • a single wheel arm 402 and wheel 404 may be provided in isolation (i.e. without a corresponding second wheel arm 1402 and second wheel 1404, for example where the self-propelled vehicle has only three wheels, two of which form a pair opposite one another across the x-axis, and the third being spaced apart from the others along the x-axis.
  • the chassis suspension system 400 may further comprise a first leg strut 240, the first leg strut 240 pivotably attached to a side 206, 208 of the chassis 200 at a coupling end 242, and extending to a foot 244 configured for engagement with the support surface 500 to support the chassis 200 apart from the support surface 500.
  • a second leg strut 240 may be provided which is attached to, and extends away from, the second side 208 of the chassis 200. Such pairs of leg struts may be provided along the length of the chassis 200.
  • the leg strut(s) are configured to provide additional stability in addition to the wheel arms 402, 1402 and wheels 404, 1404.
  • a resilient suspension unit 420 is provided to bias the first wheel arm 402.
  • a resilient suspension unit 1420 may be provided to bias the second wheel arm 1402.
  • the resilient suspension unit 420 may extend between the chassis 200 and the chassis first wheel arm 402.
  • the resilient suspension unit 1420 may extend between the chassis 200 and the chassis second wheel arm 1402.
  • the resilient suspension units 420, 1420 are provided to bias the first wheel arm 402 and second wheel arm 1420 to move the chassis 200 back to being spaced part from the support surface 500 by preferred distance Dz for transit after displacement of the chassis 200 away from the preferred distance Dz.
  • the displacement may be in response to the chassis moving over rough ground, with the resilient suspension unit 420, 1420 acting to absorb shock/bounce loads as well as maintaining a desired ride height following a shock/bounce load.
  • chassis suspension system 400 is configured to position the chassis 200 at a preferred height above the support substrate 500 for transit, for example when the self-propelled vehicle is travelling from one location to another over land.
  • the resilient suspension units 420, 1420 may comprise at least one of air springs, switchable shock absorbers, hydropneumatic, hydrolastic, and hydragas suspensions.
  • the resilient suspension units 420, 1420 may be configured to vary their spring stiffness.
  • the resilient suspension units 420, 1420 may be configured to vary their damping stiffness.
  • the gun barrel 300 may be constrained to pivot about the pivot axis 310 aligned and/or parallel with the y-axis in a plane of movement extending through the x-axis and z-axis.
  • the gun barrel 300 may be pivotably mounted using a trunnion mount, cylindrical bearing or bushing.
  • the gun barrel 300 is constrained to pivot about the pivot axis 310 between 5 degrees below the x-axis and 75 degrees above the x-axis. That is to say, the gun barrel 300 is constrained to pivot about the pivot axis 310 between -5 degrees relative to the x-axis (i.e. pointing downwards) and +75 degrees relative to the x-axis (i.e. pointing upwards).
  • the gun barrel 300 is rotatable about the z-axis, limited (i.e. constrained) to be rotatable no more than +/- 5 degrees from alignment with x-axis around the z-axis.
  • the trunnion mount may be rotatably mounted to rotate about the z-axis.
  • the gun system 10 may further comprise a recoil mitigation system 900 comprising a recoil support leg 902 which extends away from the chassis 200 to a foot end 904.
  • the recoil support leg 902 may extend away from the underside of the chassis 200.
  • the foot end 904 is operable to engage with the support surface 500 during firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the recoil support leg 902 is configured to react against recoil force (Fr) in the z-axis from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the foot end 904 of the recoil support leg 902 is operable to be spaced apart from the support surface 500 when the gun system 10 is in transit.
  • the recoil mitigation system 900 further comprises a wheel brake control device 600 configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) after the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300 and after the rotatable first wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) has/have started rotating along the support surface 500 in response to the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the wheel brake control device 600 is configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) in response to movement of the chassis 200 in the x-axis by a recoil force (Fr) from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the wheels 404, 1404 are free to rotate/move. Only after the firing of the projectile is braking force applied.
  • the recoil support leg 902 may be pivotable and/or extendable between (as shown if figures 3 , 6 ) a first configuration (e.g. a transit configuration or retracted configuration) in which the foot end 904 of the recoil support leg 902 is spaced apart from the support surface 500 when the gun system 10 is in transit, and (as shown in figures 2 , 5 ) a second configuration (e.g. a firing configuration or deployed configuration) in which the foot end 904 is engaged with the support surface 500 during firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • a first configuration e.g. a transit configuration or retracted configuration
  • a second configuration e.g. a firing configuration or deployed configuration
  • the recoil support leg 902 may extend from a pivot point on the chassis (for example, on the underside, in a compartment within the chassis, or on a side of the chassis). In examples in which the recoil support leg 902 is extendable, it may extend from a mount on the chassis (for example, on the underside, in a compartment within the chassis, or on a side of the chassis) which it slides and/or telescopically extends therefrom.
  • the foot end 904 of the recoil support leg 902 may comprise a sledge 920 configured to frictionally engage with the support surface 500 to inhibit movement of the chassis 200 in the x-axis by a recoil force (Fr) from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the sledge 920 may comprise skids and/or an engagement surface for resting on the support surface 500 to thereby resist motion along the support surface 500 (e.g. to arrest horizontal motion, for example in the x-axis).
  • the foot end 904 of the recoil support leg 902 may be defined by a wheel 922 rotatably mounted to recoil support leg 902.
  • the wheel brake control device 600 may be configured for applying a braking force to the recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 after the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300 and after the chassis wheels 404, 1404 has started rotating (e.g. moving/spinning) along the support surface 500 in response to the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • a wheel brake control device 600 configured for applying a braking force to the recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 after the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300 and after the chassis wheels 404, 1404 and recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 have started rotating along the support surface 500 in response to movement of the chassis 200 in the x-axis by a recoil force (Fr) from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • a recoil force Fr
  • the wheel arm wheels 404, 1404 and recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 are free to rotate/move. Only after the firing of the projectile is braking force applied. Put another way, the entire vehicle is allowed to roll backwards under free recoil. Once the vehicle is moving its movement is then arrested by applying brakes on the wheels.
  • the brake control device 600 may be configured to gradually and/or intermittently apply the braking force to the respective chassis wheels 404, 1404 and recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922, after the wheel 404, 1404 and recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 has/have started rotating. This arrangement is operable to prevent wheel skid.
  • the wheel brake control device 600 of the wheel arm rotatable wheels 404, 1404 and/or recoil support leg 902 rotatable wheel 922 may be a regenerative braking device 602, magnetic impedance braking device and/or a friction braking device.
  • the regenerative braking device 602 may be operably linked with a rechargeable electric storage device (e.g. battery) 700 and the chassis wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) and/or (in examples where present) the rotatable wheel 922 of the recoil support leg 902 for generating an electrical current by decelerating the chassis wheels 404, 1404 and/or recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 and thereby dissipating the recoil of the gun barrel 300.
  • a rechargeable electric storage device e.g. battery
  • the chassis wheel 404 or wheels 404, 1404
  • the rotatable wheel 922 of the recoil support leg 902 for generating an electrical current by decelerating the chassis wheels 404, 1404 and/or recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 and thereby dissipating the recoil of the gun barrel 300.
  • the processor 610 may be operable to cause the regenerative braking device 602 to act on (e.g. decelerate) one or more of the chassis wheels 404, 1404 and/or recoil support leg rotatable wheel 922 on the gun system.
  • Electrical power generated by the regenerative braking device 602 may be stored by the battery 700.
  • the self-propelled gun system 10 may further comprise a processor 610 in communication with the regenerative braking device 602 and to the rechargeable electric storage device 700 such that in response to a first movement of the chassis 200 along the support surface 500 in the x axis, the processor 610 causes the regenerative device 602 to act on (e.g. decelerate) the chassis first wheel 404 and/or recoil support leg 902 rotatable wheel 922.
  • a processor 610 in communication with the regenerative braking device 602 and to the rechargeable electric storage device 700 such that in response to a first movement of the chassis 200 along the support surface 500 in the x axis, the processor 610 causes the regenerative device 602 to act on (e.g. decelerate) the chassis first wheel 404 and/or recoil support leg 902 rotatable wheel 922.
  • each pair of wheel arms 402, 1402 work together to support the chassis 200 the distance Dz apart from the support surface 500 in a z-axis primarily when the gun system 10 is in transit, with a recoil in the z axis mitigated by the recoil support leg 902 and sledge 920 or the recoil support leg 902 and rotatable wheel 922.
  • the chassis suspension system 400 plays no part in absorbing vertical component of recoil forces. Also, if there is no horizontal component (e.g. in the x-axis) then the wheel brake control device 600, chassis wheels 404, 1404 and recoil support leg 902 (with sledge 920 or rotatable wheel 922) play no part in absorbing recoil forces.
  • the recoil support leg 902 and sledge 920 or the recoil support leg 902 and rotatable wheel 922 prevents the chassis 200 from contacting the support surface 500 during firing of the gun.
  • This is advantageous as it provides a stable basis for the chassis (e.g. supported by the chassis wheels 404, 1404 and the chassis is prevented from being forced into the ground by the recoil support leg 902 and sledge 920 or the recoil support leg 902 and rotatable wheel 922).
  • a self-propelled gun system 10 may be quickly switched between the first configuration (e.g. the transit configuration, as shown in figures 3 , 6 ) and the second configuration (e.g. the firing configuration, as shown in figures 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ).
  • This enables the gun system 10 to be quickly set up upon arrival at a desired destination (e.g. switched from a transit configuration to a firing configuration) and also quickly prepared for transit (e.g. switched from a firing configuration to a transit configuration) once firing is complete.
  • the amount of regenerative braking (i.e. braking force applied to the wheels) may be varied according to a predetermined relationship.
  • the predetermined relationship may be a function of: a mass of a projectile 340 being fired from the gun barrel 300, the type and mass of charge provided to propel the projectile 340 and/or angle of the barrel axis 302 relative to the x-axis.
  • the predetermined relationship may be a function of: expected recoil force and/or angle of the barrel axis 302 relative to the x-axis.
  • the free recoil can only be achieved if there is little to no traverse at the cannon/elevating mass so that recoil is always straight back through the wheels/tracks, thereby allowing them to roll. This requires all/most of the gun traversing to be done at a whole platform level by using steering/the wheels and/or suspension adjustments.
  • wheel arms 402, 1402 may be configured to pivot relative to the chassis 200 such that the chassis 200 may be lowered to make contact with the supporting surface 500.
  • a self-propelled gun system 10 comprising a recoil mitigation system 900 in which, in the firing configuration, the base of the chassis 200 is operable to engage with the support surface 500 (i.e. during firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300). That is, the base (underside) of the chassis is configured to react against recoil force (Fr) in the z-axis from the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the chassis wheels 404, 1404 are in contact with the support surface 500 such that, should the chassis move along the support surface in the horizontal (x-axis) direction, the chassis wheels 404, 1404 will rotate and the base of the chassis will be in frictional engagement with the support surface 500, acting in the same way as the sledge 920 to arrest movement of the chassis 200 along the support surface 500.
  • the wheel brake control device 600 is configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) after the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300 and after the rotatable first wheel 404 (or wheels 404, 1404) has started rotating along the support surface 500 in response to the firing of a projectile 340 from the gun barrel 300.
  • the suspension system 400 is operable to lift the chassis a distance (Dz) apart from (i.e. free of) the support surface 500 in the z-axis such that the self-propelled gun system 10 is in the transit configuration (i.e. operable to travel along the support surface 500 with the chassis 200 (i.e. base of the chassis) spaced apart from the support surface 500.
  • a self-propelled gun system which is relatively lightweight and yet stable, with a suspension system configured for transit and gun operation.
  • the reduction in weight is achievable, in part, by the provision of the recoil mitigation system 900 (i.e. the recoil support leg 902 for resisting recoil in the vertical (z) direction, and wheel brake control device 600 configured for applying a braking force to chassis support wheels 404 and, where present, the recoil support leg wheel 922 for resisting recoil in the horizontal (x) direction) and as well as restricting the amount the gun barrel can pivot about the y-axis and/or z-axis.
  • the recoil mitigation system 900 i.e. the recoil support leg 902 for resisting recoil in the vertical (z) direction
  • wheel brake control device 600 configured for applying a braking force to chassis support wheels 404 and, where present, the recoil support leg wheel 922 for resisting recoil in the horizontal (x) direction
  • restricting the amount the gun barrel can pivot about the
  • this solution provides recoil mitigation without adding any extra weight to the platform, and thus allows for effective recoil management on lighter systems.

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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EP22275070.5A 2022-05-27 2022-05-27 Verbessertes selbstfahrendes waffensystem Pending EP4283240A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22275070.5A EP4283240A1 (de) 2022-05-27 2022-05-27 Verbessertes selbstfahrendes waffensystem
PCT/GB2023/051231 WO2023227858A1 (en) 2022-05-27 2023-05-11 Improved self-propelled gun system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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EP22275070.5A EP4283240A1 (de) 2022-05-27 2022-05-27 Verbessertes selbstfahrendes waffensystem

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EP4283240A1 true EP4283240A1 (de) 2023-11-29

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB158023A (en) * 1919-10-03 1921-02-03 Holt Mfg Co Improvements in and relating to tractor gun mountings
US6000313A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-12-14 Rheinmetall Industrie Ag Carrier vehicle for a tube weapon

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB158023A (en) * 1919-10-03 1921-02-03 Holt Mfg Co Improvements in and relating to tractor gun mountings
US6000313A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-12-14 Rheinmetall Industrie Ag Carrier vehicle for a tube weapon

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