GB2291494A

GB2291494A - Weapon system having dual range launching capability

Info

Publication number: GB2291494A
Application number: GB8614806A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Evans
Original assignee: Hunting Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill Ltd
Priority date: 1986-06-18
Filing date: 1986-06-18
Publication date: 1996-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-18
Also published as: GB8614806D0; GB2291494B

Abstract

A weapon is operable in a short range made in which a propellant cartridge 3 provides directly propulsion of a projectile 2 and in which a propellant package 5 of substantially greater energy than the propellant cartridge is shielded by a seal 4 from gases produced by ignition of the cartridge, and in a second mode in which the propellant package is ignited, for example by means of a different connection 6 of the propellant cartridge, and the seal is ruptured so that the projectile is launched with greater velocity. In the first mode the propellant package forms part of a countermass and in the second mode the propellant cartridge provides gases which compensate for the reaction of the weapon.

Description

"WEAPON SYSTEM HAVING DUAL RANGE LAUNCHING CAPABILITY" The present invention relates to weapons and in particular to a dual range launch propulsion system for weapons.

Certain weapons, particularly portable assault or anti-armour weapons, need to be suitable for use from both open sites, such as fields, and from substantially enclosed spaces such as bunkers or buildings. The present invention is particularly concerned with the problem of countering recoil when such a weapon is fired from either type of site.

It is known to provide both a countermass weapon in which the weight of the weapon minimises recoil. It is also known to provide a recoiless weapon, in which gases arising from the ignition of a propulsive charge are directed to counter the reaction of the weapon when the weapon is fired.

However, the use of a recoiless gun presents an unacceptable acoustic shock to an operator in an enclosed space, whereas an effective countermass weapon imposes an additional weight penalty owing to the high driving pressures required for longer ranges. The present invention takes advantage of the fact that the practical use of a weapon from an enclosed space would normally be only a relatively short range. This enables the concept of a dual range propulsion system to be exploited.

The present invention in one aspect concerns a dual range launch propulsion system in which the features of a countermass gun and a recoiless gun are provided in one assembly. The basic construction of the weapon is such that in one mode, normally short range, a propellant package for use in another mode, normally long range, is not consumed but forms part of a countermass in the first mode. The weapon may therefore employ the principle of a recoiless gun when the aforementioned propellant package is fired in the aforementioned second mode.

Preferably, a secondary, lightweight propellant cartridge may be employed to provide a propulsion force for a projectile in the first mode of operation, this cartridge providing a reduced propulsion force consistent with relatively short range accuracy requirements but with acceptahle acoustic disturbance for an enclosed site.

In a practical embodiment, the invention comprises a launch tube, a propellant package, means for accommodating a propellant cartridge selectively for at least two modes of operation, in the first of which modes the cartridge provides propulsion of a projectile without ignition of the said propellant package and the said propellant package forms part of a countermass, and in a second of which modes the cartridge provides ignition of the said propellant packages, gases produced thereby serving to compensate the weapon's reaction to the launching of the projectile.

The present invention also provides a weapon which comprises a launch tube having a forward part and a rearward part, means for accommodating a propellant package in the rearward part, means for enabling selectively either propulsive ignition within the forward part to launch a projectile therefrom without ignition of the said propellant package, or ignition of the said package to provide launch of the projectile.

Preferably the means for enabling comprises a seal which shields the propellant package from ignition in the said forward part but is ruptured on ignition of the propellant package. The said means for enabling may further comprise means for receiving the propellant cartridge in either of two positions so as to provide ignition within the said forward part and rearward part respectively.

Typically, the invention may provide a weapon which, for open sites will provide a comparatively long range (greater than for example 150 metres), with a launch velocity of 300 metres per second, and for enclosed sites, a shorter range (for example less than 150 metres), and a launch velocity of 150 metres per second. These figures are given by way of example only. The longer range is, of course, provided by ignition of the propellant package; the shorter range by ignition of the propellant cartridge only. However, the invention is not intended to be limited only to dual range systems but may provide a basis for adjusting propellant, accuracy, range and acoustic shock parameters to suit a variety of possible circumstances.For example, in a countermass mode, any restriction of rearward motion of the launcher may facilitate the conversion of the system to a safe mortar, with a corresponding increase in projectile velocity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing illustrates by way of example and in simplified form, a weapon system according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a weapon comprises a launch barrel 1 which in a forward part carries a projectile 2. A short range propellant cartridge 3 may be connected to provide propulsive ignition behind the projectile but forward of a seal 4 which divides the launcher tube into the aforementioned forward part and a rearward part which contains a long range propellant package 5.

When the propellant cartridge 3 is ignited in the position shown, the cartridge causes the acceleration of the projectile in the direction of launch. The long range propellant package 5 is shielded from the cartridge gases by the seal 4 and augments the countermass of the launcher system, which moves rearwardly as the projectile is accelerated. Thus in this mode of operation the weapon constitutes a countermass gun.

An alternative position is schematically shown at 6 for the propellant cartridge. If the cartridge is ignited in this position, the cartridge gases initiate ignition of the propellant package 5, which causes rupture of the seal 4 and acceleration of the projectile 2. In this mode of operation however the gases arising from the rear of the propellant package 5 are expelled rearwardly from the weapon and compensate for the laucher's reaction, preferably leaving it relatively unmoved.

The provision of two positions for accommodation of the cartridge 3 is not necessary in a broad aspect of the invention; for example, the selection of ignition of the cartridge alone or the propellant package 5 as well as the cartridge may be controlled by an appropriate arrangement of ports; moreover, other means may be provided to select between ignition in the forward part of the launch tube or the rearward part selectively.

The launch tube may be provided with a shoulder rest 7 which may be relatively slidable and locked respectively according to the mode of use.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dual range launch propulsion system which is adapted to act selectively as a countermass gun and a recoiless gun.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which a propellant package is in one mode of operation not consumed but forms part of a countermass in said mode.

3. A dual range launch propulsion system having at least two operational modes, in a first of which a propellant cartridge provides acceleration of a projectile directly and a propellant package of greater energy is not consumed, and in a second of which the said propellant package provides acceleration of the projectile and gaseous exhaust for inhibiting recoil of the launcher system.

4. A weapon which comprises a launch tube, a propellant package, means for accommodating a propellant cartridge for at least two modes of operation, in a first of which the cartridge provides propulsion of a projectile without ignition of the said propellant package and the said propellant package forms part of a countermass, and in a second of which modes the cartridge provides ignition of the propellant package , gases produced thereby serving to compensate for the weapon's reaction to the launching of the projectile in the second mode.

5. A weapon which comprises a launch tube having a forward part and a rearward part, means for accommodating a propellant package in said rearward part, means for enabling selectively either propulsive ignition within the forward part to launch a projectile therefrom without ignition of the said propellant package, or ignition of the said package to provide launch of the projectile.

6. A weapon which comprises a launch tube, a propellant package, means for accommodating a propellant cartridge for at least two modes of operation, in a first of which the cartridge provides propulsion of a projectile without ignition of the said propellant package and the said propellant package forms part of a countermass, and in a second of which modes the cartridge provides ignition of the propellant package, gases produced thereby serving to compensate for the weapon's reaction to the launching of the projectile in the second mode.

6. A weapon according to claim 5 in which the means for enabling comprises a seal which can shield the propellant package from ignition within the forward part but which is ruptured on ignition of the said propellant package.

7. A weapon according to claim 6 in which the said means for enabling further comprises means for accommodating a propellant cartridge, of substantially lesser potential energy than the propellant package either for direct propulsion of the projectile or for ignition of the said propellant package.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A dual mode weapon in which a projectile is launched on the ignition of at least one charge, the weapon being operable selectively in a countermass mode, wherein the launch tube moves rearwardly when the projectile is launched, and a recoil-less mode wherein gaseous exhaust produced by the ignition of a charge inhibits recoil of the launch tube when the projectile is launched.

2. A weapon according to claim 1 wherein, in the said countermass mode a propellant cartridge provides acceleration of a projectile directly and a propellant package is not consumed, and in the said recoil-less mode the said propellant package provides acceleration of the projectile and the said gaseous exhaust for inhibiting recoil of the launch tube.

3. A weapon according to claim 1 in which the launch tube comprises a forward part and a rearward part, means for accommodating a propellant package in said rearward part, means for enabling selectively either propulsive ignition within the forward part to launch a projectile therefrom without ignition of the said propellant package, or ignition of the said package to provide launch of the projectile.

4. A weapon according to claim 3 in which the means for enabling comprises a seal which can shield the propellant package from ignition within the forward part but which is ruptured on ignition of the said propellant package.

5. A weapon according to claim 4 in which the said means for enabling further comprises means for accommodating a propellant cartridge, of substantially lesser potential energy than the propellant package, either for direct propulsion of the projectile or for ignition of the said propellant package.