GB2410542A

GB2410542A - Munition launching assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2410542A
Application number: GB0113765A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Sherlock; Denis Joseph Lazell; Nicholas James Martin
Original assignee: Thales AFV Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Thales AFV Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-24
Filing date: 2001-05-24
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Also published as: GB0113765D0; GB0013081D0

Abstract

A munition launching assembly for use in a DAS (defensive aid suite) integrated threat detection and countermeasure discharger system for high value vehicles. Munitions can be transferred from the interior to the exterior of a vehicle and a to a discharger 5 supported for azimuthal and elevational movement. A drive provides elevational movement between a reloading position, whereby the discharger is opened to receive a cassette 9 containing munitions, and a firing position at which the discharger is closed for firing. It can be operated either manually, or automatically, e.g. by a tracking system with sensors responsive to a detectable threat and the position of the discharger, and a control system for causing automatic movement of the discharger for aiming and firing. A breech plate automatically opens as the discharger moves (in elevation) to its reloading position, and closes as it is moves into its is firing position. Firing means can provide a delay between firing intervals to absorb recoil. The cassettes 9 can hold munitions of different calibres, each cassette having respective firing contacts, an advantage being that the same discharger design can be used with the same size cassette, but for different calibre munitions.

Description

24 1 0542

MUNITION LAUNCHING ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a munition launching assembly. The invention may be used, for example, in a DAS (defensive aid suite) integrated threat detection and countermeasure discharger system for high value vehicles (for example next generation surveillance vehicles), to provide countermeasures, such as obscurant cover, in response to a detectable threat, such as an incoming beam of radiation or missile. More generally speaking, the invention can be adapted for use with a vehicle as a munition launcher.

The invention has particular application to armoured vehicles, but could be adapted for use with vehicles in which armour is more of a secondary consideration with regard to inertia and stealth (i.e. speed of response and low radar reflection). Whilst the launcher provides for obscurant cover (e.g. by launching smoke grenades), it can be adapted for antipersonnel measures (like fragmentation grenades); or for "soft kill" to prevent an incoming weapon from reaching its target (e.g. by disrupting the weapon's guidance system), or "hard kill" (where the target, such as a missile, is destroyed). The launching assembly can be produced as a unit or module for attachment to an existing vehicle, particularly where space is already limited in the vehicle. For example, it can be attached to the rear of a turret, or to the upper rear armour plating behind the turret. The launching assembly can also be fitted to the turret of a tank or personnel carrier (but turret rotation is not essential). As the launching assembly can be used to discharge munitions other than grenades, the term "munition" applies broadly to any ballistic weapon which can be fired and it can include those which may have some form of guidance.

It is known to provide fixed grenade launchers, for example, on armoured vehicles such as tanks and personnel carriers. These launchers generally comprise a cluster of blind barrels which are bolted to the armour so that they each have fixed but different firing orientations (azimuth and elevation). Several clusters can also be fitted at different locations, for example, at the corners of the vehicle. They can also be fitted to a gun turret which then provides some azimuth control of the launcher. However, the aim of the launcher is then limited due to the aim of the gun and it is not independently controllable.

When (known) launchers are used, each barrel must be loaded by hand, e.g. with a munition such as smoke grenade, prior to commissioning the vehicle for action. When the munition is required, it can be fired from within the vehicle. For example, electrical contacts fitted to the base of the grenade connect with contacts passing through the base ofthe barrel when the grenade is loaded, whereby the grenade is automatically connected, like a plug and socket, to an electrical firing mechanism within the vehicle. Whilst the grenade can be fired from inside the vehicle, after discharging all grenades, the operator would need to exit the vehicle in order to reload the launchers, hence losing the protection of the armour. These known launchers therefore have the disadvantage that they can be effectively used only once when the vehicle is under attack.

A further disadvantage, which is due to the fact that a large number of launchers need to be mounted on the body of the vehicle, or its turret in fixed orientations for the deployment of a smoke screen which fully surrounds (360 degrees) the vehicle. This in turn means that a large store of grenades is required on board the vehicle for reloading.

Such a large array of fixed launchers has the added disadvantage of presenting very many irregular radar reflecting surfaces. The fixed orientations of these launchers also means that when a tank is on an incline, some launchers will be ineffective because the grenade trajectories are seriously impaired and hence the obscurant cover is less effective.

A further disadvantage is that known launchers are dimensioned and designed to accommodate standard munitions and hence could not be used for launching munitions of different calibre, or munitions of purpose made designs.

The present invention seeks to overcome most or all of these disadvantages and to provide a far more versatile and efficient weapon.

In accordance with the invention, a munition launching assembly comprises structure defining a munition passage to enable munitions to be transferred from the interior to the exterior of a vehicle; a munition discharger supported for azimuthal and elevational movement by said structure; and a drive for causing (a) elevational movement of the discharger so that it can be moved between a reloading position, where the discharger is open to receive one or more munitions transferred through said passage, and a firing position at which the discharger is closed and the munition or munitions can be fired; and (b) azimuthal movement of the discharger for aiming and firing when loaded.

The structure defining the munition passage can be a module which is independently manufactured and then attached to, or installed in the vehicle. Alternatively, it can be part of the vehicle's construction. It is also advantageous to provide a module or unit for attachment to an existing vehicle where space is already at a premium, such as within a tank turret, or in the space beneath armour. For example, such a unit can be bolted onto a rear wall of a turret. Alternatively, the unit includes a mounting base which can be installed within the structure of an armoured vehicle, for example, via an aperture through the armour plating.

The structure can include, or cooperate with a munition magazine to facilitate reloading, the magazine communicating with the (major) barrel of the discharger. In a practical example of the invention, two or more munitions are held in a cassette, and the cassette has (minor) barrels which are designed to hold respective munitions. The cassettes can be transferred serially into the barrel of the discharger for reloading and firing. Each cassette can have contacts which engage contacts on the munition so as to enable the munition to be fired by a firing control either individually or as one of a salvo.

The latter arrangement has several advantages. For example, the munition passage and the major barrel of the discharger can be of standard dimensions to receive cassettes of a given size, but the cassettes can have differently sized minor barrels for munitions of different calibres, or munitions of different purpose-made designs. The enables the same basic design of munition launching assembly to be manufactured and installed on different vehicles, since only the minor barrels in the cassettes need to be designed to accommodate the type and number of munitions. Another advantage of using the cassettes is that they can be made of disposable (plastics) material, since the cassette is wholly contained in the discharger and can be backed up by a firmly closed breech plate in the firing position. The cassettes can therefore be simply and inexpensively produced and modified to suit requirements. They are also cheap to manufacture and can be disposable e.g. when ejected from the discharger by a fresh charge. As the outer dimensions of cassettes can be standardized, the minor barrels of the cassettes can be dimensioned both in bore and length, to suit either standard calibre munitions, or munitions of non-standard calibre or designs (some may be long whilst others are short).

This enables an operator to reload with a magazine of munitions to suit battle conditions, for example, similar smoke grenades. (It would also permit a mixture of munitions to be loaded.) Preferably, the launching assembly interfaces with, or includes means responsive to a detectable threat for automatically causing azimuthal movement of the discharger for aiming and firing when loaded. For example, the assembly can be made with connectors which are compatible with, and designed to cooperate with an existing, or independent weapons control system. Alternatively, the assembly can include its own weapon control system.

According to one arrangement, the discharger is automatically elevated to a predetermined firing position after reloading, and then rotated on a vertical axis to the direction of the incoming threat. Alternatively, the discharger is automatically pivoted to an elevation which would provide improved aim, for example, where the vehicle is not on a level plane and some elevational adjustment is necessary, besides being rotated to face the threat. Both an optimum azimuth and elevation could be automatically computed in response to a threat where this response is required. For example, threat sensing means can be coupled to processor controlled firing means and discharger drive mechanisms, so that the discharger can be orientated quickly and fired in the attack direction, the location or direction of the incoming threat being sensed and used in computing the optimum azimuth (and optionally elevation) before firing.

Preferably, the means responsive to the detectable threat can also change the firing pattern ofthe munitions. For example, azimuthal movement can be made in a sequence of steps whereby the discharger is fired, at each step, to provide a fan pattern for the discharged munitions. Alternatively, the discharger can be fired at different instants of time whilst being moved continuously in azimuth. Either provides the advantage that munitions can be discharged in an optimum spread towards the threat, rather than discharging munitions to provide 360 degrees cover(as in the fixed grenade launchers of the prior art). This not only directs projectiles towards a target (rather than some being directed away with 360 degrees spread), but also saves munitions which are otherwise fired off in the wrong or ineffective directions. Another advantage is that single discharges (for example) cause less recoil than a salvo, whereby the weapon control and/or guidance system can settle down more quickly between discharges. The weapon can therefore be aimed and orientated faster than when waiting for the recoil from a salvo to dissipate. When firing the munitions at different instants whilst moving the discharger, the minor bores in the cassettes can be parallel to maintain the same elevation with different azimuths. With a salvo, the minor bores can be divergent to achieve the required spread.

Rapid weapon response can be implemented, for example, by sensors for detecting the direction of a perceived or received threat, e.g. laser radiation from land or air, whereby a sequential pattern, or salvo of munitions are automatically launched in the opposite direction.

Preferably, means are provided for automatically causing the required elevational movement, and any further (optional) azimuthal movement ofthe discharger after firing, so as to position the discharger for reloading. For example, an optimum reloading elevation is 90 degrees with the discharger barrel pointing vertically upwardly, whereby (for example) a cassette containing several munitions can be loaded into the discharger barrel by simply elevating (or laterally moving) the cassette from a magazine within the vehicle. Where the barrel has (for example) a square or rectangular cross-section for receiving a similarly shaped cassette, it is advantageous to rotate the discharger barrel (in azimuth) so that the corners of the cassette align with the corners of the barrel when reloading. The amount of elevational and/or azimuthal movement can be automatically computed for operating the drive mechanisms, e.g. depending on the amount of movement of the discharger from a reference position, e.g. as determined by movement or position sensors. This enables the discharger to be returned to the same starting position for reloading. This return can be automatic, after munition discharge, so that the discharger is reloaded as quickly as possible. However, it can also be achieved in response to a command, such as a reload signal generated by the operator, so as to reload (or include both manual and automatic control).

Preferably, the discharger includes a breech plate which automatically opens as the discharger is elevated to its reloading position to receive one or more munitions transferred through the munition loading passage. The breech plate automatically closes, as the discharger is then elevated into its firing position and turned to the correct azimuth where the munition or munitions are discharged. The breech plate can act as a shield as it opens, so as to provide some protection for the munition loading passage.

According to one arrangement, the discharger is pivotally mounted on a bracket for elevational movement, and the bracket is rotatably mounted on the mounting base for azimuthal movement. The breech plate is linked to the bracket by a cam and cam follower arrangement, which causes the breech plate to open and close while the discharger pivots through an arc. The breech plate is hinged at one end so that its other end opens away from the barrel of the discharger. The cam is defined by an arcuate track and a branch track which are both fixed relative to the bracket, and the follower arrangement includes a first follower fixed to the discharger adjacent at the hinge axis of the breech plate, and a second follower fixed to the breech plate so that pivotal movement of the discharger can cause the followers travel along the arcuate track when the breech plate is closed, and the second follower to travel on the branch track to open the breech plate. The operating sequence includes: phase 1, where the breech plate is closed and both followers move around the arcuate track as the discharger starts to pivot towards its reloading position; phase 2, where the breech plate starts to open since the second follower has entered the branch track; phase 3, where the breech plate opens fully after the second follower has reached a final position on the branch track; phase 4, where the breech plate is closed while the second follower returns from the final position on the branch track to the point at which it entered; and phase 5, where the breech plate is fully closed and both followers move further around the arcuate track as the discharger starts to pivot towards its firing position.

A diverter, such as an electromagnetically operated stop, can be used to block the branch track to ensure that the second follower enters the arcuate Tack after reaching the point at which it entered the branch track. This, and the sequence of operation, will be more easily understood with reference to the illustrated example of the invention described in more detail below.

I S Preferably, firing means are provided for firing the munitions either singly or in salvo and timing means can be provided to insert a predetermined minimum delay between firing intervals in order to absorb the recoil from discharging a single munition or salvo, before firing the next. Where threat sensing means are coupled to the firing means, weapon control means can allow the discharger to be orientated and fired in the attack direction, and one or more munitions are fired automatically in time to counter the incoming threat.

For stealth, the discharger mounting and/or the discharger itself preferably has external surfaces for reducing radar reflections. These surfaces may also provide glancing angles of incidence for deflecting incoming rounds.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figs. la-1 d illustrate a launching assembly according to one example of the invention, the different views showing different orientations of a discharger in the assembly; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a tank showing alternative positions for the launching assembly; Figs. 3a-3d show different positions of the discharger in a cycle which includes weapon discharge, orientation for reloading and firing; Fig. 4 is a partly sectioned elevational view ofthe launching assembly attached to the rear of the tank turret (as shown in Fig. 2); Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the weapon in operation; and Fig. 6 is a further sectional elevational view of a launching assembly showing the drive and reloading mechanisms.

Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c are sectional views of respective cassettes and firing contacts.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing interfacing between a launcher subassembly and a sensing and tracking system.

There will now be described an example of the invention which is based on an armoured l S vehicle. However, this is not to be construed as limiting.

Referring to Figs I a- l d, launching assembly I can be produced as a unit or module for attachment to an the armour 2 of an existing armoured vehicle 3, or installed in an aperture in the armour during the manufacture of the vehicle, (see Fig. 6). This aperture is largely protected by the armoured body of the launcher itself. Fig. 2 shows two alternative positions for the launching assembly. The assembly la is installed over an aperture in the rear armour 2 of tank 3, whereas the assembly 1 b is bolted to the rear of turret 3a. The turret mounting lb is preferred for conserving space and also to provide more freedom of aim. However, mounting 1 a provides more protection for the magazine.

Referring to Figs. la-ld, the assembly includes a base 4a for rotatably supporting the discharger assembly on the armour 2 of the vehicle. (Fig. 6 shows a drive arrangement including a circular rack engaged by toothed wheels which are driven so as to orientate the discharger in azimuth). This enables the assembly to rotate like a turret, as explained in more detail below.

The assembly also includes a discharger S having trunnions Sa pivotally mounted in bearings Sb in arms or side walls 4c,4d which are upstanding from circular base plate 4a.

The discharger S has a square section (major) barrel 6 for receiving cassettes 9 from a magazine lo. Each cassette 9 has, for example, four (minor) barrels 9a for receiving respective munitions 11 (such as smoke grenades). However, 2-6 barrels may be preferred. As shown in Fig. 6, loaded cassettes 9 are transported on rails l l by a belt or chain drive 12, as required for reloading. A hoist 13, which can be mechanically, electrically or hydraulically driven, is operated in order to raise each cassette 9, in turn, into the main barrel 6 of the discharger 5 when the barrel is in its reloading position (Fig. lb). An electrical drive may be preferred to produce movement in the confined space.

The hoist can also include a mechanical movement multiplying device, such as levers which respond to a small displacement input drive and then produce a large displacement movement (to lift the munition into place). Thus, loaded cassettes 9 can be transported serially into the discharger for reloading and firing. The transport mechanisms can be of generally known construction, or as described in more detail below. A special purpose rapid reload magazine is advantageous for automatic reloading, orientation and firing (as described below).

Referring to Figs. Ia-ld and Figs. 3a-3d, a cycle will now be described in which the discharger is orientated for reloading and then further orientated for firing.

The discharger is pivoted for elevational movement between the opposite arms 4c,4d and these arms are fixed or integral with the base 4a which is mounted for rotatable or azimuthal movement about the vertical axis. In this embodiment ofthe invention, pivotal elevation is required for reloading and azimuthal movement is required for aiming.

However, it is may also be necessary, or advantageous, (a) to return the weapon to a given azimuth for reloading, and/or (b) to make a pivotal adjustment when aiming. Automatic azimuth control can be employed, for example, to direct the weapon in against an incoming threat, e.g. where sensors are provided for threat detection and aiming is then computed and controlled. In any event, mechanisms for providing such movements are described in more detail below with reference to Fig.6.

The discharger 9 could be pivoted, about bearings 5a, through 360 , but in a simple case it may use an elevation of about 90 (for reloading) and about 45 on one side of the vertical axis (for firing). A further elevation of about 45 on the other side of the vertical axis is where the breech plate is in a position to start to open for reloading. In practice, the discharger can have a range of elevations of, for example, between about +50 to 20 for firing, and 90 for loading. However, the range of elevations will depend on the purpose served by the weapon. Elevations greater than 45 would be useful for overhead threats, e.g. where the discharger fires munitions vertically and/or over a steep elevational range. Azimuth can clearly be selected over a 0-360 range. A reloading and firing cycle will now be described (with reference to Fig.3), by way of example, assuming that the weapon is elevated to 45 or 90 In Fig. 3A, the discharger 5 is shown elevated to about 45 on one side of the vertical axis. The weapon has been discharged (3d) and the discharger has been pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 3A. In this position, a breech plate 5c is in a closed position, but is about to be opened. The free end of the breech plate 5c opens away from the barrel and this will occur as a result of the movement of the pair of pins 14 (one pin on each side of the breech plate Sc) in respective branch tracks, e.g. grooves 16 (in side walls 4c,4d), when the discharger pivots in the clockwise direction. This will cause the breech plate 5c to reach the fully open position shown in Fig. 3B, where the barrel is at 90 of elevation and the pins 14 have slid towards the ends of their respective grooves 16. The discharger can now be reloaded with a new cassette 9 (not shown in Fig. 3B). In order to ensure that the cassette remains in the barrel whilst it is pointing upwards, the cassette may include spring clips which engage recesses on the inside wall of the barrel (these are not shown). The discharger 5 is then pivoted anticlockwise so that pins 14 travel back up the grooves 16 to the starting position, whereby the breech plate 5c is fully closed.

This position is shown in Fig. 3C showing the weapon loaded with a cassette containing munitions 11. The discharger 5 is then pivoted clockwise again, through about 90 , whereby pins 14 then travel around the circular grooves 18, whereby the breech plate 5c is firmly secured. This position is shown in Fig. 3D where the weapon is orientated for firing. At all times, pins 17, which hinge the breech plate, travel in the respective circular groves 18 in the arms 4c,4d (since they are fixed to the breech plate). Thus, although pins 14 are now opposite the end of the grooves 16, there is no danger that they will travel down the grooves 16. As the breech plate is now secure, the weapon can be fired, following which the discharger is again rotated anti-clockwise, through about 90 , to the position shown in Fig. 3A. The cycle is then repeated.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, the construction and operation of the drive mechanisms will now be described in more detail.

The magazine 10 includes a housing 20 in which is located a mechanism for advancing loaded cassettes 9 towards a hoist arm 13 which can be raised in order to feed each cassette in turn, into the barrel 6 ofthe discharger 9. The cassettes are slidably supported on rails I I (at each side) and are advanced, one at a time, by a belt drive mechanism 15.

When the discharger 5 is in the position shown in Fig. 3B, the hoist arm 13 is lowered and a cassette 9 is advanced onto plinth 21, whereby the arm 13 is then raised so as to load the cassette into the barrel 6. The hoist mechanism is preferably some kind of direct drive (e.g. chain and sprocket, not shown), since this is better than an hydraulic ram (but this could be used, if required). As these mechanisms are of generally known construction and operation, no further details will be given.

Toothed drive wheels 23 engage a circular rack 24 in the armour plated housing 20. The drive wheels are mounted on respective axles which are supported within the cylindrical base portion 4b. One of these drive wheels engages a gear wheel 25, which is driven by a gear wheel 26 on the shaft of an electrical motor 27. This gear train and motor are located in the housing 12 on the side of arm 4d. This housing also contains a gear wheel 28 which is fast with an extension shaft of trunnion Sa fixed to the discharger 6. Gear wheel 28 meshes with a drive sprocket 30 which is driven by motor 31. Thus, motors 27 and 31 can be energised so as to spin the assembly about the vertical axis (azimuth) and to tilt the discharger 9 to a required elevation.

The drive motors can be connected to a threat detection and weapon control system which includes sensors for responding to incoming laser radiation, sensors for the elevation and azimuth positions of the discharger, a processing unit responsive to these sensors for determining the relative direction ofthe incoming radiation and computing the direction in which the discharge assembly needs to be aimed, and a motor control and firing system which orientates the discharger correctly towards the incoming threat and then fires the munitions in the required pattern. The firing system can cause munitions to be fired individually, or in any combination (including a salvo), whereby the control system can, for example, rotate the assembly (azimuth) to each of four positions, for example, at each of which it stops in order to fire one munition 11, thereby providing a fan pattern of weapon fire towards the attack as shown in Fig. 5. It can alternatively fire munitions at different instants of time, whilst the assembly is rotating, in order to provide the same response. However, more complex control systems can be used depending on the counter-measures required for attack.

Fig. 4 shows a similar construction to that shown in Fig. 6, with the exception of the assembly 1 being rotated through 90 in order to show the action of the breech plate 5c.

The circular groove 18 is not visible Figs 3a-3b, but it is shown in Figs 4 and 6.

Fig. 5 illustrates an armoured vehicle 30 equipped with the launching assembly 1 and dealing with an attack from a target obscured by foliage. The attacking vehicle has employed a laser sighting system and this has been detected by the vehicle 30 responds automatically and rapidly to the threat before the target has fired.

In the above described example, the barrel of the discharger has a square cross-section in order to receive cassettes of the same shape. The cassette 9 can be made of plastics material for disposability and can be ejected by the insertion of a fresh charge during reloading. (Any spring clip is weak enough to allow such ejection). The cassette contains munitions, such as four smoke grenades 11, in respective (minor) barrels 9a.

Each cassette is equipped with contacts for engaging similar contacts on the munitions, whereby the munitions can be electrically fired from within the vehicle. These contacts will differ in location and dimensions to suit the contacts on the munitions.

In a modification, not shown, the discharger barrel and the cassette are cylindrical. This has the advantage that the discharger need not be rotated about its vertical axis to align with the corners of a square or rectangular cassette, hence improving the speed of reloading. Moreover, the discharger can then be reloaded whilst remaining in an azimuthal position facing an oncoming threat.

Generally, the cassette will have (minor) barrels of the same bore to suit the calibre of ammunition (e.g. either 66mm, or 76mm, or 81mm). However, a cassette could have different diameter bores for different calibre ammunition. Likewise the axes of the (minor) barrels would normally be parallel but they could be divergent.

The structure ofthe launching assembly includes stealth surfaces to reduce and eliminate as far as possible radar reflections and also preferably includes surfaces which are designed to deflect incoming rounds. As a practical example of the use of the invention, the launching assembly

can be fitted to the roof or turret of an armoured vehicle as part of an integrated laser detection and smoke discharger system, to provide for the automatic or manual discharge of smoke grenades. For example, grenades can be fired to provide 360 smoke screen coverage.

In automatic mode, the system is provided with multiple or single laser detection reacting to laser wavelengths of from, for example, 400nm to 1600nm. This can enable, for example, automatic discharge of smoke grenades for 180 coverage centred on the direction of a threat. Such a system may be part of a high-value vehicle that is equipped with a fully steerable launching assembly with appropriate sensors, controller and interface between the discharge and reloading magazine. However, the invention can be applied more broadly and with less complex weaponry in order to provide the deployment advantages explained herein.

With modern vehicles, the system may include means for correcting the aim of the launcher assembly for vehicle attitude, speed and heading, wind velocity, etc. The electronic firing interface may also include launch sensors detecting, for example, infrared and/or ultra violet as well as laser beams and connected through a serial link to a DAS controller which automatically provides defensive action, such as the launching of smoke grenades, in response to the detected radiation. A sensor responding to radiation for detecting flare from a hand-held rocket launcher can be included. Such a system is schematically illustrated in Fig. 8 in which the launcher sub-assembly or module is connected to the DAS controller and Sensor Suite via an RS422 link.

Whilst the grenades may be fired manually or automatically, as single discharges or salvos, one preferred method of discharge is "ripple firing" which provides a small increment of time or dead space between discharge of say a single grenade. For example, the reactive force from firing one grenade could be of the order of 16 Kilo Newtons and hence the recoil from firing a salvo of four grenades is considerable. Ripple firing avoids this problem by discharging each grenade with timed intervals between discharges to absorb the recoil of one, before the next is fired.

The firing system can enable the vehicle to be used in different modes, for example, braking and then firing, but it can be used for firing whilst on the move. In view of the time necessary for erecting a smoke screen, which may involve firing a salvo of four grenades, three times in succession, the ripple fire technique has the advantage that only a minimum delay is employed between discharges to overcome the recoil and hence the second and subsequent rounds can be loaded more quickly and efficiently.

As shown in the example in the drawing, four grenades are loaded into in a parallel configuration in the cassette. This configuration is preferred for ammunition handling.

The cassette can be made of plastics which facilitates accommodation of a variety of weapons, for example, those having standard calibre such as 66mm and 76mm, besides custom-built grenades which may be provided for use in multispectral screens (e.g. useful in connection with infrared and mm radar). The cassettes can also be provided with appropriate interface plates in order to make electrical connections or interfaces with the weapon loaded into the barrel. This improves the versatility of the launching assembly.

Moreover, the discharger and its mounting base can be armoured and arranged so that the discharger moves closely to the base as it swivels into its firing and loading positions so as to provide protection.

The system may also include means for "stores management" to facilitate stock keeping duties necessary when handling ammunition, for example, keeping stock of fuses and munitions, and data relating to launching. Such a system operates with BIT data.

Referring to Fig. 7a, this shows a cassette 9 and a partly raised munition 11 so as to indicate a plug 40 and socket 41 type of firing connection between the munition and the cassette, the plug extending to a contact 42 in the breech plate. Fig. 7b illustrates part of a cassette (e. g. munitions of a different calibre) having a different firing contact arrangement, i.e. where the base of the munition has conductive annular strips 43 which make contact with spring-loaded members 44 in the cassette 9, which in turn engage contact elements 45 in the discharger. The connections between contacts 42 (as well as 45) and a firing control has not been shown in these schematic drawings.

Fig. 7c shows a solution to the problem of making electrical contact with the pivoting (and rotating) discharger. In this case, each barrel of the cassette 9 is provided with both the spring-loaded members 44 to contact annular firing strips 43 on the munition 11, as well as a plug and socket connector 40(41). However, either would normally be provided for a munition of a given type. In any event they are connected (via conductors 46) to an interface 47 having the necessary contacts for the connectors of each cassette barrel when the cassette has been fully loaded, contacts 47 will connect with interface 48 which is connected by conductors 49 passing through a hollow shaft 5a to a fire control circuitry 50. Both the interfaces 47 and 48 are centred on the axis of rotation of shaft 5a, whereby the discharger can pivot. If necessary, the conductor 49 can be connected to the firing control circuitry 50 by slip rings, concentric conductors and brushes, or similar means to enable relative rotation of the relevant part.

Referring to Fig. 8, this schematically illustrates the main mechanical structure of the launch assembly linked to an electrical and electromechanical control structure, both of which can form part of a module which can be fitted to an existing vehicle, e.g. as shown in Fig. 2, where the launcher is mounted on a base attached to the rear armoured wall of a tank turret. The tank already includes (or has separately fitted) a tracking and firing control system such as a sensor suit and DAS control which is linked to the other structures by an RS422 connection.

Claims

1. A munition launching assembly comprising: structure defining a munition passage to enable munitions to be transferred from the interior to the exterior of a vehicle; a munition discharger supported for azimuthal and elevational movement by said structure; and a drive for causing (a) elevational movement of the discharger so that it can be moved between a reloading position, where the discharger is open to receive one or more munitions transferred through said passage, and a firing position at which the discharger is closed and the munition or munitions can be fired; and (b) azimuthal movement of the discharger for aiming and firing when loaded.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, which either interfaces with, or includes at least one sensor responsive to a detectable threat; position sensors for determining the position of the discharger; and a control system for causing automatic azimuthal movement of the discharger for aiming and firing.

3. An assembly according to claim I or 2, which either interfaces with, or includes at least one sensor responsive to a detectable threat; position sensors for determining the position of the discharger; and a control system for causing automatic elevational movement of the discharger for aiming and firing.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, which either interfaces with, or includes a processor responsive to signals from the sensors for computing azimuth and/or elevation of the discharger for optimising aim before firing.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, which either interfaces with, or includes a fire control system for selecting the firing pattern of the munitions by controlling the speed and/or amount of movement of the discharger, and/or individual or combined firing of the munition(s).

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further including means for causing elevational movement, and optionally azimuthal movement of the discharger after firing, so as to automatically reposition the discharger for reloading.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, which either interfaces with, or includes means responsive to manual command for causing elevational, and optionally azimuthal movement of the discharger, so as to position the discharger for reloading.

8. An assembly according to claim l, wherein the discharger includes a breech plate which automatically opens as the discharger is moved in elevation to its reloading position, whereby one or more munitions can be transferred through said passage, and automatically closes as it is moved elevationally into its is firing position.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the discharger is pivotally mounted on a frame to provide elevational movement, and the frame is supported by the mounting base for azimuthal movement on the vehicle; the breech plate being linked to said frame by a cam and cam follower arrangement which causes the breech plate to open and close when the discharger is pivoted to adjust elevation.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the breech plate is hinged; the cam includes an arcuate portion and a branch portion which are both fixed relative to said structure; and the follower arrangement includes a first follower fixed to the discharger adjacent a hinge axis of the breech plate, and a second follower fixed to the breech plate so that, on pivotal movement of the discharger, the followers travel around the arcuate portion when the breech plate is closed, and the second follower travels on the branch portion to open and to close the breech plate.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein a loading aperture ofthe discharger is opposite the munition passage in order to receive a munition cassette, when the discharger is at about 90 degrees of elevation.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, provided as a Remountable unit attachment for an armoured vehicle.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, including means for positioning the discharger at predetermined elevations for reloading and for firing.

14. An assembly according to any preceding claim including means to position the discharger at different azimuthal positions, and/or to fire the discharger at different instants whilst moving in azimuth.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, which either includes or interfaces with firing means to provide a predetermined minimum delay between firing intervals so as to absorb the recoil from discharging a single munition or salvo before firing the next munition or salvo.

16. An armoured vehicle including the assembly according to any preceding claim and further including a magazine, which communicates with the discharger and which holds one or more munition cassettes, the magazine including means for serially transferring cassettes to the discharger for reloading.

17. A vehicle according to claim 16, further including firing means for firing one or l O more munitions in the cassette via contacts in the cassette and in the munitions.

18. A vehicle according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the firing means is adapted to fire munitions of different calibre or types in respectively designed barrels in the cassette, whereby the munitions passage in the discharger is dimensioned to receive cassettes of a given size, so that the same basic design of discharger mounting and munition discharger can be manufactured and installed on different vehicles.

19. A vehicle according to any of claims 16-18, further including radiation sensing means coupled to munition firing means whereby one or more munitions are fired automatically after the radiation from a threat is detected.

20. A vehicle according to claim 18, further including means responsive to the radiation sensing means and coupled to the firing means whereby the discharger is automatically orientated and fired in the attack direction of radiation.

21. A vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein said munition launching assembly is provided with external surfaces for reducing radar reflections and/or providing glancing angles of incidence for deflecting incoming rounds.

22. An assembly or armoured vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A set of munition cassettes, wherein each cassette comprises a body adapted to fit a discharger barrel of a given shape and dimensions, but different cassettes have differently shaped and/or dimensioned bores to receive munitions of different calibres, whereby a vehicle can be equipped with the same design of discharger, but cassettes to suit the calibre of required munitions, each cassette having respective firing contacts for engaging similar contacts on the corresponding munitions.