FR2552218A1 - MORTAR CAPABLE OF MOUNTING ON A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

MORTAR CAPABLE OF BEING MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE 1 BY USING A BASE PLATE 14 INCLUDING A SMOOTH CORE BARREL TUBE 7, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF THE BARREL TUBE IN ELEVATION AND AZIMUT AND MEANS RECOIL BRAKING, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT THE TUBE-CANNON 7 SLIDES IN A TUBULAR SLIDE 8 MOUNTED BY TWO TOWELS 9 WITH HORIZONTAL AXIS ON A CRADLE 10 CAPABLE OF BEING ORIENT AROUND A VERTICAL PIVOT 11 JOINT OF A SUPPORT 12, A AFFUT 13 BEING MOUNTED ON THE BASE PLATE 14 SO AS TO TIP AROUND A FIRST HORIZONTAL AXIS XX AND INCLUDING A SECOND HORIZONTAL AXIS YY ORTHOGONAL PREVIOUSLY ON WHICH IS MOUNTED, IN VIEW OF ITS PIVOTE , THE FOREGOING SUPPORT 12; MEASURES BEING PROVIDED FOR TIPPING THE TILT AROUND THE FIRST AXIS XX AND SWIVEL THE SUPPORT 12 AROUND THE SECOND YY AXIS THUS ENSURING A CORRECTION OF THE TRANSVERSAL TILT AND THE LONGITUDINAL TILT, AND KEEPING THE ABOVE PIVOT 11 IN POSITION.

Description

Mortar capable of being mounted on a vehicle.

  The classic mortars known as "on the ground" constitute a particularly effective armament and offer unique characteristics which no longer need to be demonstrated They make it possible to obtain important results and play a significant r 8 in the course of the most various. The evolution of tactics and the constant search for ever greater mobility of infantry formations have led to a move towards an extension of the use of these simple weapons, which are mortars, by mounting them on vehicles which also carry ammunition and have the advantage of increasing the ability to move and the autonomy of this armament. Thus, such vehicles carrying mortars complete the

  possibilities of engaging so-called "ground" mortars without, however, claiming to replace them.

  Up to now, however, it has been necessary to have heavy and bulky vehicles to support the brutal effect of the receding mortars

  mounted on such vehicles without even always being able to use the full launch charges to reach the maximum ranges which would risk causing too high a recoil.

  Mortars thus mounted on heavy and large vehicles are generally provided with a pivoting platform and support uprights similar to those of mortars on the ground making it possible to adjust the firing angle and to perform a tilt correction in a only direction It follows, as is the case for ground mortars, that for each change of azimuth, it is necessary to modify the pointing by trial and error due

  the change in position of the part's pivot axis.

  The present invention relates to a mortar which is suitable for mounting on a light vehicle and which therefore comprises means for reducing the recoil force exerted on the base plate. The invention also has for object a mortar of this type comprising superelevation correction means along two orthogonal axes with a large amplitude offering the possibility for light vehicles to fire from sloping ground without having to search for an absolutely horizontal surface. invention further avoids any loss of time due to trial and error, the axis

  pivoting part being kept perfectly vertical.

  The invention finally relates to a mortar of this type capable of equipping a light and manageable vehicle whose battery can be done very quickly and easily by appropriate manual controls. The mortar of the invention can also be easily folded down. near the floor of the

vehicle, for transportation.

  The mortar according to the invention, capable of being mounted on a vehicle by means of a base plate, comprises a smooth-bore barrel tube, means for adjusting the position of the barrel tube in elevation and in azimuth and recoil braking means According to the invention, the barrel slides relative to a slide mounted by means of two journals with horizontal axis on a cradle The cradle is capable of being oriented around a vertical pivot secured to a cradle support A mount is mounted on the base plate so as to be able to tilt around a first horizontal axis The mount has a second horizontal axis, orthogonal to the previous one, on which is mounted for its pivoting of the cradle support Means are provided for tilting the carriage about the first axis and for pivoting the cradle support around the second axis thereby ensuring an integral correction of the transverse cant and the longitudinal cant which

  keeps the above-mentioned pivot in a vertical position.

  Thanks to the provision according to the invention, with a possibility of pivoting around two orthogonal horizontal axes, the directional pivot axis of the mortar can therefore be placed, after adjustment, in a strictly vertical manner which avoids any modification from its position when the direction of the firing is varied in azimuth Under these conditions, the firing can be done whatever the nature of the ground even in the case where the vehicle is tilted in one direction or another, that it is oblique, leaning backwards or to the side or in another position Thanks to the possibility of full adjustment of the slope of the mortar according to the invention, the part is easily leveled with its vertical directional pivot, the assembly being blocked in this position This results in ease of aiming and very high accuracy in shooting Thanks to such a tilt correction

  integral, it is no longer necessary to readjust the firing angle each time the direction is adjusted and vice versa, which notably facilitates the service of the part and avoids any trial and error when aiming.

  To allow it to be mounted on a light vehicle, the mortar according to the invention preferably comprises a hydropneumatic recoil brake provided with means of energy recovery and automatic resetting of the battery. The body of the recoil brake is integral with the slide, while a rod sliding in the brake body is fixed to the lower end of the barrel tube Various types of recoil brakes can be used, the aforementioned rod

can be hollow or full.

  Such a design of a recoil brake mortar makes it possible to considerably reduce the thrust resulting from the recoil and to fire at heavy loads 10 despite the use of a light vehicle, for example of the reconnaissance vehicle type. The structure of the slide on which the barrel tube slides is arbitrary. In an advantageous construction, the mortar slide according to the invention is tubular, the barrel tube sliding inside the slide The tubular slide has an upper collar to which the upper end of the brake body is fixed and a lower collar to which the lower end of the recoil brake body is attached.

  lower collar is also integral with the hubs of the trunnions around which the slide and the barrel-tube can pivot to adjust the elevation or firing angle.

  The lookout for the mortar according to the invention preferably has two lateral flanges, the facing internal faces of which define two holding and sliding surfaces for the lower part of the cradle support. 25 In its lower part the atttt has two housings for two horizontal axes, integral with the base plate, defining the first horizontal axis mentioned previously In its upper part the carriage has

  two spans for the aforementioned second horizontal axis.

  The correction of the transverse cant is done by means of a lateral arm 30 integral with one of the lateral flanges of the carriage and at the end of which a member for correcting the transverse cant is articulated. This member may for example include a rotary screw body provided with an internal thread articulated at the end of the side arm of the mount and cooperating with a screw, one end of which is articulated on the base plate fixed to the vehicle.

  Under these conditions, the carriage and the whole of the part, by means of the cradle support, can pivot around the first horizontal axis resting on the base plate, in the vicinity of the extreme lower part of the lookout, several shapes are suitable for this base plate. In an advantageous embodiment, the base plate has an X-shaped ribbed structure. The upper surface of the carriage preferably has two abutment surfaces inclined relative to the horizontal on either side of the second Zme 10. above-mentioned horizontal axis These two stops can cooperate with the cradle support in order to limit in both directions its pivoting movement around

  of the aforementioned second horizontal axis.

  The tilt correction thus made possible both in the direction

  longitudinal and in the transverse direction can be for example of the order of 15 20 of each c 6 tee.

  The cradle support preferably comprises a horizontal upper plate receiving the vertical pivot of the part and provided with a toothed sector. A vertical lower part secured to the horizontal plate is subjected to the action of a member for correcting the longitudinal slope. member comprises for example a rotary screw, one end of which is rotatably mounted on a connecting member linked to the lower part of the cradle support and a screw body provided with an internal thread mounted for its

articulation on the lookout.

  The cradle which supports the tubular slide and the barrel tube by means of the two horizontal pins, comprises a rotary screw cooperating with the toothed sector of the cradle support in order to allow the

  adjusting the position of the cradle and the barrel tube in azimuth, the pivot being maintained in a vertical position by means of the integral tilt correction, the directional adjustment of the barrel tube does not entail any need for additional tilt correction.

  The azimuth setting can be, for example, the r D Ire of 60%, which is sufficient taking into account the light nature of the vehicle used. Indeed, if the objective leaves the field, the vehicle moves quickly and the pointing

  is easily redone after a new tilt correction.

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  In an advantageous construction, the cradle has two lateral uprights, disposed at each point of the tubular slide. One of the uprights carries an azimuth control member provided with a rotary shaft connected by a bevel gear transmission to the screw. rotary cooperating with the sector

cradle support.

  The maintenance of the tubular slide and the barrel tube is partly ensured, as has just been said, by the pins mounted on the cradle and completed by an elevation control member connected to the upper collar

  of the tubular slide and articulated on the cradle The elevating member 10 comprises for example a screw device preferably associated with a balancing device capable of compensating for the torque due to the weight of the tubular slide and the barrel tube.

  The elevation control screw device may include, for example, a screw body rotatably mounted on an articulation integral with the upper collar of the tubular slide and a screw, one end of which is articulated on the cradle. The torque compensator can be arranged concentrically with the elevation control screw device or be mounted outside In the latter case, the pneumatic compensator rod is articulated on the same articulation integral with the upper collar as the screw body The end of the compensator cylinder is articulated on the cradle at a point close to the point of articulation of the screw

  located between said point of articulation and the vertical pivot of the cradle.

  Thanks to the existence of such a balancer ensuring the compensation of the weight of the tubular slide and the barrel-tube, the adjustment in elevation is done with minimal effort by manual action on the screw device. In a preferred embodiment of the mortar which is the subject of the invention, the

  various manual controls allowing the integral correction of the slope and the adjustment in elevation and in the direction of the barrel-tube, are arranged on the same side of the part and substantially in front of its directional pivot.

  In this way, the rear of the part is perfectly cleared for the 3 o recoil of the barrel tube and the servant can easily use the aiming and pointing device mounted on the upper collar of the tubular slide opposite

  on the side where the aforementioned different commands are located.

  More specifically, the manual controls of the transverse tilt correction member and the azimuth control member are placed on the other side of the tubular slide relative to the sighting device. The manual controls of the longitudinal tilt correction member and the elevation control member, are placed substantially under the tubular slide, in front of the directional pivot The manual elevation and azimuth adjustment controls are located substantially at the same height and within reach of the servant. The various controls are preferably equipped with locking means

in position.

  To avoid any risk of reloading of the part by the mouth of the tubecanon until the return to the battery has not occurred completely, at least one pivoting safety member is preferably mounted on the upper collar of the tubular slide so that its upper end prevents any reloading by the barrel tube in the retracted position The pivoting of the safety member is caused automatically by the front edge 15 of the barrel tube, during its sliding movement in the slide

  tubular, during the re-battery.

  The invention will be better understood on studying the detailed description

  of an embodiment taken by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents an elevation view in diagrammatic section of a light vehicle equipped with a mortar according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of a mortar according to the invention inclined at about 45, the mounting and the base plate being shown partially in section; Figure 3 is a top view of the mortar of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the mortar of Figure 2, the base plate, the carriage and the lower part of the cradle being shown partially in section and with parts cut away; Figure 5 is a sectional view along V-V of Figure 2 showing the structure of the lower part of the mount; Figure 6 is a sectional view along II-VI of Figure 2 showing in particular the toothed sector of orientation in direction; FIG. 7 is a detail view in transverse section of the elevation control device also showing the balancer intended to compensate for the weight of the part; FIG. 8 is a detailed view in section of the control device for correcting the transverse slope; Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view of the longitudinal tilt correction control device; FIG. 10 shows the mortar in elevation placed in the position of maximum firing angle at approximately 85, the position of minimum inclination of approximately 30 being indicated diagrammatically by axes; FIG. 11 shows the mortar in elevation in the same firing angle position as in FIG. 10, but with a correction of maximum longitudinal tilt 10 towards the rear, the position of correction of maximum longitudinal tilt for forward being shown schematically by an axis; FIG. 12 shows the mortar seen from the front in the position for correcting the maximum transverse slope in one direction, the position for maximum correction in the other direction being shown diagrammatically by an axis; and Figure 13 is a partial sectional view of the safety device of

automatic fire.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light vehicle 1 is fitted with tracks 2 and has a platform 3 in its rear part capable of receiving the mortar 4 according to the invention. A reserve of ammunition 5 can also be provided The platform 3 is arranged sufficiently low so that the mortar 4 in the maximum folded position, as will be seen below, can be protected by the armor 5 a of the vehicle. In the firing position, a pivoting floor 6 makes it possible to facilitate the loading of the mortar by the mouth The very light vehicle 1 can be the same armored vehicle 25 already selected to be equipped with numerous weapons without or with low recoil effort such as machine guns, automatic anti-aircraft guns and anti-tank 20 to 40 mm, missiles of all kinds, 106 mm recoilless cannons, etc. It may be a light armored vehicle or even a very light one, having a

  high speed on road and track, good performance in all terrain.

  u O ur this type of vehicle used, a suspension lock or the use of cylinders is likely to be useful to prevent any oscillation of the vehicle The crew of such a vehicle can be reduced to

three or four men.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mortar 4 comprises, a barrel tube 7 sliding inside a tubular slide 8, mounted by

8 2552218

  through two pins 9 with a horizontal axis on a cradle 10 The cradle 10 is capable of being oriented around a vertical pivot It is secured to a cradle support 12 A mount 13 is mounted on a base plate 14

  fixed to the platform 3 of the vehicle A hydro5 pneumatic reversing brake device 15 is also mounted on the tubular slide 8.

  The tubular slide 8 has an upper collar 16 and a lower collar 17 The lower collar 17 is integral with the hubs 18 of the tourlllons 9 The body 19 of the recoil brake 15 is mounted above the slide 8 by means of two extensions of the collars lower 17 and upper 16 The hollow rod 20 of the recoil brake 15 sliding inside the body 19 is fixed by its end 21 to the cylinder head 22 closing the lower end of the

barrel tube 7.

  It will be noted that the non-opening cylinder head 22 comprises in a conventional manner,

  an axial percussion device, not shown, which can be automatic or controlled remotely, as is the case for conventional mortars.

  The hydropneumatic recoil brake 15 advantageously comprises a valve, not shown, for regulating the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid, making it possible to obtain a regular resistance even in the event of a change in the targeting of the oil. A floating piston can move at inside the rod 20 hollow and is subjected to the action of a pressure of a compressible fluid ide so as to ensure an energy recovery effect, allowing the return

automatic in battery.

  A hydropneumatic recoil brake which can be advantageously used is described in French patent application N 8217233. The recoil brake preferably also comprises a safety device against a

  abnormally high recoil effect formed by an additional intensive braking member.

  The carriage 13 has two lateral flanges 23, 24 (FIG. 4), the internal faces of which define two holding and sliding surfaces for the lower part 25 (FIG. 2) of the cradle support 12 In its lower part, the carriage 13 has two housings 26, 27 for two axes 2 B, 29 which are fixedly supported by ribs 30 of the base plate

  The two coaxial axes 28, 29 thus define a horizontal axis XX around which the plate 13 can tilt, thereby causing the entire mortar to tilt.

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  In their upper part, the two lateral flanges 23, 24 of the mount 13, have bearing surfaces 31, 32 for an axis 33 which constitutes a second horizontal axis YY (FIG. 4) orthogonal to the axis XX and has above of it The cradle support 12 and the whole mortar can pivot around this axis YY. The carriage 13 also comprises a lateral arm 34 integral with the lateral flange 24 A screw device 35 for correcting the transverse cant, comprises a body of screws 36, which can rotate inside a tubular frame 37, articulated by means an axis 38, at the end of the lateral arm 34. 10 A screw 39 cooperates with the screw body 36 and is articulated at 40 on the

base plate 14.

  The upper surface of the carriage 13 has two abutment surfaces 41,

  42 (FIG. 2) on either side of the axis 33, making it possible to limit the pivoting movement of the cradle support 12 relative to the axis 33, as will be seen below.

  The cradle support 12 comprises a horizontal upper plate 43 (FIG. 2) which receives the vertical pivot 11 A toothed sector 44 whose teeth occupy substantially an arc of 60 on the front part of the part is secured to the horizontal plate 43, as this can be seen in FIG. 6. The lower part 25 of generally vertical orientation extends under the horizontal plate 43 and it is made up, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 49, by two lateral flanges 45 and 46 During the pivoting movement of the cradle support 12 with respect to the carriage 13 around the axis YY materialized by the axis 33, the flanges 45 and 46 slide along the internal surfaces of the corresponding lateral flanges 23 and 24 of the afft 13 This results in excellent support and a rigid and compact structure

from the whole.

  This pivoting movement which causes the correction of the longitudinal slope is controlled by a screw device referenced 47 as a whole and visible in more detail in FIG. 9 This device comprises a rotary screw 48, one end of which is mounted for rotation on a sleeve 49 able to pivot about an axis 50 linked to the lower part of the cradle support 12 o The screw 48 cooperates with a screw body 51 provided with an internal thread mounted articulated by means of axes 52 integral with the lateral flanges 23 and 24 of the affit 13 in its front part above the level of the horizontal axis MX. l O The cradle 10 has in its lower part a horizontal rotary screw 53 visible in Figures 4 and 6 whose axis is parallel to the axis YY and which cooperates with the teeth of the toothed sector 44 of the cradle support 12 The cradle 10 has two lateral uprights 54 and 55 constituted by longitudinal members ensuring adequate rigidity. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lateral upright 55 comprises a first crosspiece 56 connecting a base plate 57 to the lower part of the hub 18 of the journal. 9 A second cross member 58 substantially parallel to the previous one, connects the front edge of the plate 57 to the upper part of the hub 18 An upright 59 forms a triangle 10 with the upright 58 and a substantially vertical screw body 60 The screw body 60 receives a rotary shaft 60 b (figure 6) connected by a transmission to

  bevel gears 61 to rotary screw 53.

  The rotation of the shaft 60 b under the action of the crank 60 a therefore causes the rotation of the screw 53 and the pivoting of the whole of the cradle 10 relative to the toothed sector 44 secured to the cradle support 12 This pivoting is made around the vertical pivot 11. A screw device 62 makes it possible to carry out an elevation control of the mortar This device, visible in detail in the section of FIG. 7, comprises a screw body 63 which can rotate in an articulated frame 64 by the axis 20 65 on the upper collar 16 of the tubular slide 8, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 7 A screw 66 cooperates with the screw body 63 and is articulated at its end on the axis 67 mounted on the plate 57 of the cradle 10 directly above the tubular slide 8 at the extreme front of said

plate 57.

  A balancing device for the weight of the slide 8 and the barrel tube 25 7 is referenced 68 as a whole This balancing device comprises a hollow rod 69 articulated on the axis 65 of the upper collar 16 cooperating with a cylinder 70 articulated on the axis 71 secured to the plate 57 of the cradle 10 perpendicular to the tubular slide 8 and substantially disposed between the axis 67 and the vertical pivot 11 This balancing device is filled with a compressed gas such as the nitrogen through the valve 72 visible in FIG. 7 It compensates for the tilting torque due to the weight of the tubular slide 8 and the barrel tube 7 to which is added the weight of the annealing brake 15

  and of the various members mounted on the cradle 10.

  Referring to Figure 13, we see that in a preferred embodiment, a safety member 73 also visible in Figure 2, is pivotally mounted about an axis 74 on the upper collar 16 of the tubular slide 8 L end 73 a of the member 73 is slightly folded in the direction of the axis of the tubular slide 8 so as to partially obstruct the mouth 75 of the barrel tube 7 after a certain recoil stroke as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 13 The length of the member 73 and its mounting are such that the displacement of the end 73 a is done only after the gases due to the start of the blow have been expelled from the barrel tube The pivoting member 73 in the form of spoon is caused to move into the position illustrated in solid lines under the action of the compression spring 76 When returning to the battery, the spoon 73 automatically pivots around its axis 74 under the action of the upper edge of the tube- barrel 7 against spring 76 Thanks to c ette disposition, a projectile can not be introduced through the opening 75 of the mouth of the barrel until the spoon 73 has not been moved away by the barrel tube 7 The servant is therefore prevented from reloading the part as long as the return in battery did not occur normally I The safety device may have only one spoon as

  in the example illustrated or several spoons.

  The mortar includes a sighting device 77 also mounted on the upper collar 16 As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the sighting device 77 is mounted on the side of the collar 16 which is opposite the body of screw 60 and the crank 560 a allowing the mortar to be oriented towards the direction The sighting device is located 77 also located at

  the opposite of the crank 35 a for controlling the screw device 35 for correcting the transverse cant.

  Furthermore, it can be seen, in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4, that the cranks 60 a and 62 a which make it possible to control the elevation and the azimuth respectively are located at substantially the same height within the reach of the servant

  on the other side, the eye near the aiming device 77.

  ? The two cant controls constituted by the cranks 35 a and 47 a are placed at the bottom of the mortar in its front part, thus freeing the wall by the rear for the retraction of the barrel tube 7 illustrated in solid lines on

on Figure 2.

  Referring to Figure 3, we see that the base plate referenced 14 as a whole has two rear legs 78, 79 and two front legs 80, 81 of smaller dimension The different branches 78 to 81 are suitably ribbed and are fixed at their end to platform 3

  of the vehicle by fixing studs 82.

  Figure 10 shows the mortar in the maximum firing angle position of 85. In the illustrated position, the platform 3 of the vehicle is assumed to be horizontal so that no tilt correction has been made. elevation 62 is in the maximum extension position. 10 In the figure, the position of the barrel tube 7 corresponding to the minimum firing angle of 30 is also shown by the dashed line axis 83. The dashed line axis 84 represents the position of the elevation control device.

  62 for this minimum shooting angle position. Whatever the angle of fire, the azimuth position can be adjusted in 15

  acting on the crank 60 a which causes, as mentioned above, the rotation of the screw 53 and of the assembly of the cradle 10 relative to the toothed sector 44 secured to the cradle support 12 which remains fixed in the carriage 13 (figure 6) The aiming is easily done due to the fact that the pivot Il

stays vertical.

  Referring to FIG. 11 i, we see the mortar in the maximum firing angle position of 85 identical to that of FIG. 10 but in the

  if the platform 3 of the vehicle is inclined at an angle of 20%.

  In this case, the pivot 11 has been kept in the vertical position by acting

  the crank 47 has on the device 47 for correcting the longitudinal slope.

  In the position illustrated in FIG. 11 which corresponds to the maximum correction of 20 towards the rear, the abutment surface 42 of the mount 13 is in contact with the lower surface of the plate 43 of the cradle support 12 thus limiting the pivoting movement of the cradle support 12

  around the Y-Y axis materialized by the 33 axis.

  The pivot 11 being thus kept strictly vertical, the aiming can be done by acting as previously on the controls 62 a and 6 Da of elevation and azimuth without any intermediate tilt correction becoming necessary. FIG. 12 illustrates the position of the mortar in the case where the plata-zfrmle 3 of the vehicle is inclined by 20 laterally Here again the pivot 11 is held bare in the vertical position by acting on the device 35 for correcting the transverse slope thus causing a pivot of 20 from the lookout 13

  around axis X-X materialized by axes 28 and 29.

  In all cases where the platform 3 of the vehicle is inclined relative to the horizontal, it is therefore possible, by acting on the correction devices 35 and 37, to bring back and maintain the pivot 11 strictly vertical. first operation, pointing is easy

  as said before.

  A description will now be given, by way of example, of the operations of placing in battery and pointing the mortar of the invention.

  First of all, we orient the rear of the vehicle 1 in the approximate direction of the objective, we immobilize it and we stop its engine The three servants are then available In the transport position we will note that the barrel tube 7 of the mortar of the invention can be folded down into a low position close to the horizontal. Indeed, from the position of minimum firing angle inclined at 30, indicated diagrammatically in the figure, it is still possible to act on the longitudinal tilt correction control 47 by tilting the support for an additional 20

  cradle 12 with cradle 10 and the barrel tube.

  From this position, we unclip a not shown stirrup condemning the barrel folded in its transport position We remove the protective sheath not shown closing the mouth of the barrel tube 7 as well as its covering tarpaulin also not shown in the figures We reassemble the tube barrel 7 at an angle close to 45 ′ by means of the crank 62 controlling the elevatior, this so that the mobile elements are practically equi25 free The two cranks 35 a and 47 a are operated one after the other correction adjustment of various of the carriage 13 in order to place the pivot II in a perfectly vertical position The verification of this position is done by locating the horizontality of the plate 57 by means of one or more ni:, eau-: à bubble not shown housed on the cradle 10 We locate the objective and 30 we po-ite the piece in its exact direction using the sighting device 77 using the crank of azimnut 60 a We adjust the angle of suitable shot for the range by means of the crank 62 a of adjustment in elevation,

  The pointing in direction is checked with the collimator as a precaution.

  Depending on the firing angle, the articulated step 6 is optionally folded down on which the mortar loader can be placed, which is thus in an elevated position relative to the platform 3 of the vehicle 1 on

  which is subject to the base plate 14 of the mortar.

  The material being in firing order, it is possible to directly load it by the mouth then to go to the adjustment of the shooting. For example, a gauge which can be used for the barrel tube of a mortar according to the invention is 81 mm with a length of the barrel tube of 155 cm. The total weight of the mortar is 250 kg (25 N ) approximately, the maximum stroke 10 of the recoil being 40 to 45 cm The maximum force on the trunnions and transmitted to the vehicle floor is around 2000 kg (200 N), while it is approximately 30 at 40 tonnes (3 to 4 kN) with a conventional mortar devoid of a recoil brake The mortar loaded by the mouth can fire approximately 15 rounds per minute The battery build-up time represents approximately 15 1 minute Depending on the type of projectile used, maximum range may vary

from 4000 to 7000 meters.

  Ultimately, it can be seen that the mortar according to the invention has numerous advantages. It will be noted in particular the speed of setting in battery, the great mobility and the autonomy due to its mounting on a light vehicle, the possibility of leaving the firing position immediately for the same reasons Due to the fact that there is no reason to fear that the weapon will rebound, greater accuracy is obtained than in the

  in the case of firing with a conventional mortar No anchor shot being necessary, there is less risk of rapid detection by enemy radar against the battery.

  It is possible to carry a large number of reserve projectiles, of the order of 100 shots, on board the vehicle on which the mortar is mounted. The mortar of the invention can fire all standard timings and has

  a rate of fire similar to that of mortars firing on the ground.

  The weight of the mortar, which is approximately six times that of a conventional mortar on the ground, does not constitute a drawback due to its mounting on a vehicle. This weight only represents about half the weight of the ammunition. conditions, for a light vehicle of

  about three to six tonnes, the weight of about 250 kg (25 N) of the mortar is perfectly acceptable.

  Furthermore, the mortar mounted on a vehicle, according to the invention, with hydropneumatic recoil brake, retains all the advantages and characteristics of conventional mortars on the ground. In particular the absence of a movable socket and cylinder head allows the equipment to remain very simple. and the start of the blow is not accompanied by any signature either at the mouth or at the back of the

  part which constitutes a notable advantage over rocket launchers.

  The solution of the present invention of an original structural mortar capable of firing from a light armored vehicle constitutes a response to many tactical situations on the battlefield The vehicle-mor10 tier assembly with its firepower, its protection resulting from its reduced silhouette, its speed of movement and putting in and out of the battery, its magnability, its flexibility of use and its discreet shooting, is better able to meet the needs of modern combat than the do them

  heavy and bulky mortar carriers equipped with mortars without recoil brake.

Claims (17)

  1 Mortar capable of being mounted on a vehicle (1) by means of a base plate (14) comprising a smooth-bore barrel tube (7), means for adjusting the position of the barrel tube in elevation and azimuth and back braking means, characterized in that the tubecanon (7) slides relative to a slide (8) mounted by means of two pins (9) with horizontal axis on a cradle (10 ) capable of being oriented around a vertical pivot (11) integral with a support (12), a mount (13) being mounted on the base plate (14) so as to be able to tilt around a first axis horizontal (XX) and comprising a second horizontal axis (YY) orthogonal to the previous one on which is mounted, with a view to its pivoting, the aforementioned support (12), means being provided for tilting the carriage around the first axis (XX ) and rotate the support (12) around the second axis (YY) so as to bring and maintain the aforementioned pivot 15 (11) in position vertical, thus ensuring a correction of the transverse slope and the longitudinal slope.   2 Mortar according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a hydropneumatic recoil brake (15) provided with means for energy recovery and resetting in battery, the body of the recoil brake being integral with the slide (8 ), a rod (20) sliding in the body of the 20   brake being fixed to the lower end (22) of the barrel-tube (7).   3 Mortar according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that   the slide (8) is tubular, the barrel-tube (7) sliding inside.   4 Mortar according to claim 3, characterized in that the tubular slide (8) has an upper collar {16) to which is fixed the upper end of the body (19) of the reversing brake and a lower collar (17) to which is fixed the lower end of the reversing brake body   and which is integral with the hubs (18) of the pins (9).   Mortar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage (13) has two lateral flanges (23, 24)   whose facing internal faces define two support surfaces and   sliding for the lower part (25) of the cradle support (12).   6 mortar according to claim 5, characterized in that the mounting (13) has in its lower part two housings for two horizontal axes (28, 29) integral with the base plate (14) defining the first aforementioned horizontal axis 35 (XX) and, in its upper part, two staves (31, 32)   for the second horizontal (YY) mentioned above.   7 mortar according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lookout (13) comprises a lateral arm (34) integral with one of the lateral lateral flanges (24) and at the end of which is a correction member of transverse slope (35).   8 Mortar according to claim 7, characterized in that the transverse slope correction member (35) comprises a rotary screw body (36) provided with an internal thread articulated at the end of the lateral arm 10 (34) and cooperating with a screw (39) articulated on the base plate (14) to its end.   9 Mortar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper surface of the carriage (13) has two   abutment surfaces (41, 42) inclined relative to the horizontal arranged on either side of the aforesaid second horizontal axis (YY) and capable of cooperating with the cradle support (12) to limit in both directions the movement   pivoting around the aforementioned second horizontal axis (YY).   Mortar according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the cradle support (12) comprises a horizontal upper plate (43) receiving the vertical pivot (11) and provided with a toothed sector (44) and a vertical lower part (25) subjected to the action   a longitudinal tilt correction member (47).   11 Mortar according to claim 10, characterized in that the longitudinal slope correction member (47) comprises a rotary screw 25 (48), one end of which is rotatably mounted on a connecting member (49) connected to the lower part of the cradle support (12) and a screw body (51)   fitted with an internal thread mounted articulated on the carriage (13).   12 Mortar according to claims 10 or I 1 l characterized by the fact   that the cradle (10) comprises a rotary screw (53) cooperating with the toothed sector O (44) of the cradle support (12) in order to allow the adjustment of the   position of the cradle (10) and the barrel-tube (7) in azimuth.   13 Mortar according to claim 12, characterized in that the cradle (10) has two lateral uprights (54, 55) one of which carries an azimuth control member (60) comprising a rotary shaft connected by a transmission to bevel gears (61) to the rotary screw (53) cooperating with the toothed sector (44). 18 2552218   14 Mortar according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the cradle (10) is connected to the upper collar (16) of the tubular slide (8) via a control member elevation (62).   Mortar according to claim 14, characterized in that the elevation control member comprises a screw device associated with a   fluid torque compensator (68).   16 Mortar according to claim 15, characterized in that the screw device comprises a screw body (63) rotatably mounted on a   articulation (65) integral with the upper collar (16) of the tubular slide (8) and a screw (66), one end of which is articulated on the cradle.   17 Mortar according to claim 16, characterized in that the torque compensator (68) comprises a rod (69) articulated on the same articulation (65) secured to the upper collar (16) as the aforementioned screw body (63) and a cylinder (70), the end of which is articulated on the cradle at a point (71) situated between the point of articulation (67) of the screw (66) and the vertical pivot (11).   18 Mortar according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that a sighting device (77) is mounted on the upper collar (16) on one side of the slide (8), the manual controls of the member for correcting the transverse tilt (35a) and the azimuth control member (60 a) being placed on the other side of the tubular slide (8), the manual controls of the longitudinal tilt correction member (47 a) and of the control member of elevation (62 a) being placed under the tubular slide (8), all of said manual controls being located on the front side of the aforementioned vertical pivot (11) or slightly behind the latter so as to release the rear part mortar for the retreat of the barrel tube (7).   19 Mortar according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises at least one firing safety member 30 (73) pivotally mounted on the upper collar (16) of the tubular slide (8) so that its upper end (73 a) prevents reloading by the mouth of the barrel tube (7) interposed in front of the bore of the barrel tube (7) as long as the return to the battery has not occurred completely, the pivoting of said member (73) being caused by the movement sliding   barrel tube (7) in the slide (8).