WO2009130384A1

WO2009130384A1 - Weapon system

Info

Publication number: WO2009130384A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mika Nurminen
Original assignee: Patria Land & Armament Oy
Priority date: 2008-04-24
Filing date: 2009-04-21
Publication date: 2009-10-29
Also published as: FI20085354A0; FI20085354L

Abstract

A weapon system comprising a weapon (2), a body (4) to which the weapon (2) is attached and which is dimensioned to tolerate the stresses caused by firing the weapon, a closed casing structure (5) having, on the inside thereof, means for keeping the ammunition of the weapon (2) and means for changing the position of the weapon (2) relative to the body (4). The weapon system (1) is independently immovable and further comprises attaching means (6) with which the weapon system (1) is detachably attachable to a vehicle (12, 18, 21) intended for transporting a weapon system.

Description

WEAPON SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a weapon system comprising a weapon, a body to which the weapon is attached and which is dimensioned to tolerate the stresses caused by firing the weapon, a closed casing structure having, on the inside thereof, means for keeping the ammunition of the weapon and means for changing the position of the weapon relative to the body.

[0002] There are numerous known weapon systems arranged in vehicles and comprising at least one weapon and a closed casing structure which may be provided with a ballistic shelter. On the inside of the casing structure, there is space for ammunition and the personnel. The weapon is transferrable with a vehicle from one place to another.

[0003] A problem with the above weapon systems is that they are expensive and it is difficult to use them flexibly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of this invention is to provide a novel and an improved weapon system.

[0005] The weapon system according to the invention is characterized in that the weapon system is independently immovable and further comprises attaching means with which the weapon system is detachably attachable to a vehicle intended for transporting a weapon system.

[0006] An idea of the invention is that the weapon system forms a module which is easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from a vehicle.

[0007] An advantage of the invention is that the weapon system can be used flexibly by moving it to the most suitable vehicle in each particular case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Some embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail in the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a weapon system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of a second weapon system according to the invention, arranged on a lorry;

Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of the weapon system according to Figure 2, arranged on a vessel;

Figure 4 shows schematically a side view of a third weapon system according to the invention, arranged on a helicopter; and

Figure 5 shows schematically a front view of a fourth weapon system according to the invention.

[0009] For the sake of clarity, embodiments of the invention are shown simplified in the figures. Similar parts are denoted with the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a weapon system according to the invention. The weapon system 1 comprises a weapon 2, which is in this case arranged in a turret 3. The turret 3, in turn, is arranged rotationally in a body 4 of the weapon system 1. The weapon 1 is here a mortar typically having a calibre of 60 to 160 mm, but the calibre may also be something else.

[0011] The body 4, relative to which the weapon 2 is attached rotationally, is dimensioned in such a way that it tolerates the stresses caused by the recoil of the weapon 2. In this case, the body 4 comprises a casing structure 5, on the inside of which there are storing spaces for a suitable amount of ammunition of the weapon 2 as well as for other equipment and devices of the weapon system 1 , such as means for changing the position of the weapon 2 relative to the body, in other words for turning the weapon 2 and changing the elevation of the weapon. On the inside of the casing structure 5, there are also spaces for the personnel. The above ammunition and equipment are known as such to a person skilled in the art, so they are not described in more detail here.

[0012] It is to be noted that the body 4 may naturally be a structure separate from the casing structure 5, in which case these two are attached to each other in an appropriate manner, or the body 4 and the casing structure may be structurally partly integrated together and partly separate from each other. [0013] The casing structure 5 shown in Figure 1 is dimensioned in the same way as a sea transport container according to an ISO standard, and its outer appearance also resembles such a container. For example, one end of the casing structure 5 has a hatch typical of a sea transport container. The casing structure may be dimensioned to correspond to a sea transport container of 10, 20, 30 or 40 feet, for example. It is obvious, however, that the dimensioning of the casing structure 5 does not have to correspond to that of a sea transport container according to the ISO standard. The casing structure 5 as well as other components affecting the outer dimensions of the weapon system 1 can be dimensioned and selected in the most appropriate manner.

[0014] The weapon system 1 comprises attaching means 6, to which the machines and devices transferring the weapon system 1 can be de- tachably attached and/or via which the weapon system 1 is detachably attachable to the vehicle transporting it. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the attaching means 6 are attaching members of an ISO sea transport container known as such. Typically, they are formed of corner castings arranged at the ends of corner posts. The corner castings comprise attaching openings or holes on at least one, but usually on all three sides thereof. Some corner castings suitable to be used in the weapon system 1 are shown in Figures 10 to 12 of US patent publication 3,874,719. The weapon system 1 can be handled easily and simply with transfer means intended for handling an ISO sea transport container, such as with container cranes or travelling gantry cranes. Likewise, plenty of vehicles suitable for transporting the weapon system 1 are available.

[0015] It is to be noted that the weapon system 1 comprises neither a power source nor power transmission means with which it would be capable of moving independently. The weapon system 1 is thus independently immovable. In order to move and transport the weapon system 1 , it must be attached to a vehicle.

[0016] The weapon 2 is positioned in the turret 3 arranged rotation- ally relative to the casing structure and outside the casing structure 5. In the embodiment of the weapon system 1 shown in Figure 1 , the weapon 2 is, as mentioned, a mortar. The weapon 2 may also be a cannon, a machine gun, an automatic grenade launcher, a missile launcher etc. Further, the weapon system 1 may comprise a plurality of weapons, which may be either similar to or different from each other. The different weapons may be arranged in a manner known as such relative to each other, for example coaxially, or the weapon system may comprise an auxiliary turret arranged on top of the turret 3, one or more weapons being arranged in this auxiliary turret.

[0017] The turret 3 is preferably armoured in such a way that it tolerates at least the projectiles of small-calibre weapons. The turret 3 is not, however, a necessary part of the weapon system 1 ; the weapon 2 may be arranged for instance on a rotating base which may be positioned on the inside or on the outside of the casing structure 5. In the former solution, the casing structure 5 has at least one opening via which the weapon can be fired. The opening may be closable.

[0018] A mounting 9 can be attached under the casing part 5 or the body 4.

[0019] In the weapon system 1 , a power source known as such may be arranged which generates energy for the weapon system 1. The power source is preferably arranged on the inside of the casing part 5 but it may also be arranged outside the casing part 5. Energy means here electric energy or energy of a pressure medium, for example.

[0020] The weapon system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises at least one supply terminal 7 via which electric energy generated outside the system is fed to be used by the system. The weapon system 1 may also comprise other terminals for feeding energy in another form or another product that the weapon system 1 needs. Further, the weapon system 1 may comprise means, such as terminals for removing energy or material from the weapon system. It is to be noted that the form and location of the supply terminal 7 shown in Figure 1 are only exemplary.

[0021] Broadly speaking, the control system of the weapon 2 comprises a weapon management system, a firing management system and a situation data system. These are systems known as such, so they are not explained in more detail in this description. However, it can be briefly mentioned that a weapon management system refers to power members, such as servos, with which the orientation of a weapon is changed, as well as to sensors detecting the orientation of a weapon. A firing management system refers to a ballistic calculator controlling the orientation of a weapon and to a management system taking care of the target, for example.

[0022] A situation data system refers to equipment of one's own troops which acquires information on the environment, for instance on the location and quality of the opposite side, analyses this information and drafts, on the basis of the analysis, a description of the location of one's own troops as well as the troops of the opposite side with as much accuracy and as much in real time as possible.

[0023] The weapon management system is positioned in the weapon system 1 itself, i.e. mainly on the inside of the casing structure 5. The means required by the firing management system can be arranged either completely or partly inside the casing structure 5, or even completely outside it, for example in a vehicle transporting the weapon system 1 or somewhere else.

[0024] The weapon system 1 may comprise one or more data connectors 8 via which the parts of the firing management system positioned outside the weapon system 1 can exchange information with the weapon system 1 by means of cables or other connectors. Data transmission may also be implemented as wireless data transmission utilizing, for example, antennas 13 outside or inside the casing structure.

[0025] The means of the situation data system are typically positioned at least mainly on the outside of the weapon system 1 , and a data connector 8 and/or wireless data transmission may be used for data transmission.

[0026] The weapon system 1 may naturally comprise reconnaissance and detection means, i.e. sensors, via which the obtained information can be utilized not only in controlling the weapon system 1 itself but also in other units and systems by means of the situation data system. The sensor may be in the weapon system - mainly in the casing structure 4, in the turret 3 or on the inside thereof - fixedly positioned, or it may be detachable and trans- ferrable to a distance from the weapon system 1. The weapon system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a launching means 10, from which a reconnaissance plane 11 can be sent into the air. The plane 11 comprises one or more sensors known as such. The sensor may also be positioned in a remote-controlled robot moving on the ground and/or in water, or the like, in which case the weapon system 1 comprises means for transporting the robot and placing it on the ground and/or in water, and possibly, in addition to these, means with which the robot can be reattached to the weapon system 1.

[0027] On the inside of the casing structure 5, there are typically spaces for the personnel using the weapon 2. The task of the personnel may be, for example, to work as a firer, leader, loader or the like. The personnel are most often formed of 1 to 4 people but there may be more people as well. In one embodiment, there are no personnel at all on the inside of the casing structure 5 when the weapon 2 is being used, in other words the weapon system is unmanned.

[0028] Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of a second weapon system according to the invention, arranged on a lorry. The weapon system 1 is arranged on a vehicle 12 moving on the ground. In this case, the vehicle 12 is a lorry but it may also be any vehicle moving on the ground, such as an armoured car, a combat vehicle, a cross-country vehicle, what is called a Supacat, a trailer of a truck or lorry, a railway carriage or the like.

[0029] The weapon system 1 comprises attaching means 6 suitable for a lorry having an interchangeable platform and provided with what is called a roll-off tipper. In Figure 2, a body 14 of a hook and a hook 16 attached to it have been raised somewhat higher with a hydraulic cylinder 15.

[0030] The weapon system 1 may also have attaching means with which it can be attached to a cable device present in some lorries with interchangeable platforms. By means of cables, the weapon system can be moved onto a lorry with an interchangeable platform or off from it. It is to be noted in this context that one single weapon system 1 preferably comprises several different attaching means 6, for example for container-handling devices, cable- operated interchangeable platform devices or hook-operated interchangeable platform devices.

[0031] Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of a weapon system according to Figure 2, arranged on a vessel. The weapon system 1 may be arranged on a vessel 18 moving in water, such as on a boat, a vessel, a hovercraft or the like. The vessel 18 in Figure 3 may be, for example, a patrol boat, a coast guard boat, a landing craft or the like. The vessel 18 is shown as a partial cross-section.

[0032] The weapon system 1 is detachably attached to the vessel 18 via attaching members 6. The attaching members 6 may be, for example, attaching members typical of an ISO container, but other kinds of attaching members are also feasible. The attaching members 6 are, if required, quickly attachable to the vessel 18 or detachable from the vessel 18. The other connections of the weapon system 1 to the vessel 18 are also preferably of a quick-coupling type, which means that they are quickly attachable to or detachable from the vessel 18.

[0033] In the vessel 18, as in another vehicle, there may be room for several weapon systems 1. [0034] The closed casing structure 5 preferably comprises a ballistic shelter giving protection for the personnel and the devices on the inside of the casing structure. The protective properties, materials and other properties of the ballistic shelter can be selected according to the need, and the shelter can be manufactured in manners known as such and of known materials. Further, at least the spaces intended for the personnel may be provided with protection against chemical war gases, preferably with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection.

[0035] Figure 4 shows schematically a side view of a third weapon system according to the invention, arranged on a helicopter.

[0036] The weapon system 1 may be arranged on an aircraft 21 moving in air. In Figure 4, the aircraft 21 is a helicopter but it may also be a fixed-winged airplane or the like.

[0037] The weapon system 1 is attached with attaching members 6 to the load-attaching points of the helicopter in such a way that the turret 3 and thus the weapon 2 are positioned below the casing structure 5. The weapon system 1 may be preferably constructed and its components selected in such a way that it may be used the other way around, i.e. turret 3 and the weapon 2 being positioned on top of the casing structure 5. This is not necessary, however.

[0038] Figure 5 shows schematically a front view of a fourth weapon system according to the invention. The weapon 2 is, in this case, a double- barrelled mortar.

[0039] The weapon system 1 comprises an openable shelter structure 23, which is, in this case, formed of side elements 24 and roof elements 25. The side elements 24 are turnably attached to the casing part 5 with articulated members 26. The roof elements 25 are, in turn, attached to the side elements 24 with articulated members 26.

[0040] The side element 24 and the roof element 25 on the left side in Figure 5 are shown in a position where they cover the turret 3 and the weapon 2 turned into the transport position. In contrast, the side element 24 and the roof element 25 on the right side are shown in a position where they are turned away from the top and the front of the turret 3 and weapon 2 in the direction of arrow T in such a way that the turret 3 and the weapon 2 are revealed. [0041] The protective structure 23 naturally also comprises elements covering the turret 3 and the weapon 2, whether the weapon system 1 were examined from the front or from the rear. The closed shelter structure 23 covers the turret 3 and the weapon 2 in such a way that they cannot be seen from outside. In this way the weapon system, which otherwise looks to some extent aggressive, can be made look less aggressive.

[0042] The shelter structure 23 may be light-structured without any ballistic shelter properties and manufactured of, for instance, plastic or plastic composite or the like.

[0043] The shelter structure 23 has preferably such a material and shaping that it prevents the turret 3 and the weapon from being detected both visually and in other ways, for instance with a radar.

[0044] The structure of the shelter structure 23 may naturally be of another kind as well; for example the side element 24 and the roof element 25 may be one single element, or the shelter structure 23 may have no roof elements 25.

[0045] The casing structure 5 and the shelter structure 23 may be dimensioned and shaped in such a way that when the shelter structure 23 is closed, the weapon system 1 looks, to the outside, like an ordinary sea transport container.

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the turret 2 is returnably movable to the inside of the casing structure 5.

[0047] In some cases, the features described in this application may be used as such, irrespective of other features. On the other hand, features described in this application may be, if required, combined together to form different combinations.

[0048] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The details of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising a weapon (2), a body (4) to which the weapon (2) is attached and which is dimensioned to tolerate the stresses caused by firing the weapon, a closed casing structure (5) having, on the inside thereof, means for keeping the ammunition of the weapon (2) and means for changing the position of the weapon (2) relative to the body (4), characterized in that the weapon system (1) is independently immovable and further comprises attaching means (6) with which the weapon system (1) is de- tachably attachable to a vehicle (12, 18, 21) intended for transporting a weapon system.

2. A weapon system according to claim ^ characterized in that the weapon (2) is a mortar.

3. A weapon system according to claim 2, characterized in that the weapon (2) is a double-barrel mortar.

4. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed casing structure (5) comprises a ballistic shelter.

5. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the inside of the closed casing structure (5) is protected with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection.

6. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inside of the closed casing structure (5) is provided with a space for at least one person using the weapon (2).

7. A weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, c h a r - acterized in that it is unmanned.

8. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a power source arranged to generate energy to be used by the weapon system (1).

9. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means via which energy generated outside the system is fed to be used by the weapon system (1 ).

10. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means via which the weapon system (1) is connectable to parts of a control system controlling the functions of the weapon system and arranged outside the weapon system, for example to a firing management system of the weapon system (1).

11. A weapon system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weapon (2) is positioned in a turret (3) arranged rotationally relative to the casing structure (5) and outside the casing structure (5).

12. A weapon system according to claim 11, characterized in that the turret (3) comprises a ballistic shelter.

13. A weapon system according to claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises an openable shelter structure (23) which, when closed, encloses the turret (3).

14. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (12, 18, 21 ) is a vehicle moving on the ground.

15. A weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the vehicle (12, 18, 21 ) is a boat, a ship or a corresponding vessel moving in water.

16. A weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the vehicle (12, 18, 21 ) is an aircraft, such as an aeroplane or a helicopter.

17. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing structure (5) is dimensioned according to an ISO-dimensioned sea transport container, and the attaching means (6) are attaching means of an ISO sea transport container.

18. A weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the attaching means (6) are attaching members to be attached to an interchangeable platform mechanism.

19. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (4) is integrated in the casing structure (5).

20. A weapon system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several weapons, which may be similar to each other or different from each other.