GB1489988A - Apparatus for launching projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

1489988 Multiple barrel launchers; dispensing Chaff A I MAGNUSSON 25 Feb 1975 [27 Feb 1974 6 March 1974] 7899/75 Headings F3C and F3A A launcher has a plurality of barrels 4 for the nearly simultaneous launching one from each barrel 4, of a plurality of projectiles (shells or rockets) by means of propelling gas generated by a pressure cartridge 5 common to a number of the barrels 4. The cartridge 5 being in communication with the barrels 4 via a pressure chamber 8 and channels 9 individual to the barrels 4 which channels 9 form chokes to ensure that the gas flow reaches critical velocity during at least part of the travel of the projectiles in the barrels 4. As particularly described and illustrated the projectiles 23 incorporate bundles 14 of strips of reflecting material which are to be spread out at a suitable height for the protection of a vessel against radar tracking missiles and aircraft. The launcher has a base block comprising three metal plates 1, 2, 3 for securing to the deck of the vessel, and the pressure cartridge 5 consists of a metal or plastics case serving as a container for a propellant 18 such as granulated boron and potassium nitrate. The ignition of the propellant 18 may take place mechanically or, as shown, electrically. The illustrated projectiles 23 are shells comprising a cylindrical case 11, a cap 12 and a reinforced bottom part 13. Below the bundles 14 there is a container for a pyrotechnical charge 15 for delivering when ignited propelling gas to force bundles 14 out of case 11. The strips are protected against combustion gases by a felt disk 16, and ignition of charge 15 takes place via a delay delement 17 containing a gasless pyrotechnical delay charge. A distance sleeve 25 (or an annular ridge or studs) supports the projectile in the barrel 4 to define a free space 26 between the mouth of channel 9 and projectile 23 and this space may also be defined by having the shell wall project some distance below element 17-the space 26 suitably has a length of barrel at least equal to (preferably of the order of twice) the diameter of same to limit maximum pressure. In use, the required number of shells are accelerated from the barrels 4 by the gases from propellant 18 when it is ignited-during passage in the barrels 4 the element 17 is ignited and after a time ignites charge 15 to throw out the strips at the desired altitude. When rockets are fired, their motors are ignited by the gases in the barrels. The barrels may be given different elevations. Certain of the projectiles may contain IR jamming means such as torches.