Ammunition arrangement

Abstract

An ammunition device having two or more projectiles ( 2 ) arranged one after the other. Each projectile has allocated to it a propellant charge ( 5 ) substantially surrounding the projectile arranged for individual activation with an ignition ring and an ignition system ( 12, 13 ). The projectiles and their propellant charges are arranged one after the other in an enclosing unit ( 1 ), and the projectiles are so arranged as to leave the enclosing unit one at a time in its longitudinal direction at the time of the individual activations of the propellant charges ( 5 ). Shorter ammunition devices and opportunities for rapid firing sequences of the projectiles are achieved with the invention.

1 . Ammunition device having two or more projectiles ( 2 ) and individual propellant charges ( 5 ) associated therewith, for example charges of gunpowder, the respective projectile ( 2 ) having allocated to it a propellant charge ( 5 ) substantially surrounding the projectile ( 2 ) arranged with means ( 12 ,  13 ) for individual initiation, the projectiles ( 2 ) and their surrounding propellant charges ( 5 ) being arranged on after the other in an enclosing unit ( 1 ), and the projectiles ( 2 ) at the time of the individual initiations of the propellant charges ( 5 ) being so arranged as to leave the enclosing unit ( 1 ) in its longitudinal direction, characterized in that the enclosing unit ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinal parts ( 1 A,  1 B, etc.) that are so arranged as to be capable of assembly one to the other to produce a longer weapon. 
   
   
       2 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the enclosing unit ( 1 ) is so arranged as to be applicable to an existing weapon firing tube ( 18 ). 
   
   
       3 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the enclosing unit ( 1 ) together with other enclosing units ( 16 ) is so arranged as to be included in a weapon ( 17 ) comprising a multi-firing tube arrangement. 
   
   
       4 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the respective projectile ( 2 ) in its position in the enclosing unit ( 1 ) has a bottom part ( 2   d ) on the rear part. ( 2   b ) of the projectile ( 2 ) facing towards a first space ( 8 ), preferably executed as a gap, between the bottom part ( 2   d ) and a front surface ( 9   a ) belonging to or allocated to either the subsequent projectile ( 2 ), or the enclosing unit ( 1 ), where the latter case applies to the rearmost projectile ( 2 ′). 
   
   
       5 . Ammunition device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the first space ( 8 ) includes means ( 4   h ,  11 ), on initiating the propellant charge ( 5 ) of the projectile ( 2 ), for giving the generated propellant gases access to the first space ( 8 ) and thereby causing the projectile ( 2 ) to be driven from the enclosing unit ( 1 ). 
   
   
       6 . Ammunition device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that access to the first space ( 8 ) by the generated gases is so arranged as to take place via casing openings ( 4   h ) covered by one or more bursting discs ( 11 ) so arranged as to give way at a predetermined gas pressure value. 
   
   
       7 . Ammunition device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the ignition zone ( 12 ) of the propellant charge ( 5 ) is arranged in a second space/casing space ( 4   c ) radially outside the first space ( 8 ). 
   
   
       8 . Ammunition device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the respective propellant charge ( 5 ) is arranged in a casing ( 4 ), which casing ( 4 ) is ring-shaped in its cross section and is preferably fluted ( 4   e ) on parts ( 4   d ) of its inner surface, which casing ( 4 ) is situated outside the projectile ( 2 ) and is open rearwards towards the first space ( 8 ). 
   
   
       9 . Ammunition device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the casing ( 4 ) is executed as an inner tube in relation to the enclosing unit ( 1 ), i.e. comprising a second space/casing space ( 4   c ), and that a third, smaller space or recess ( 6 ) which exhibits inward-facing casing openings ( 4   h ) for the gases generated by the propellant charges ( 5 ) is arranged next to the first space ( 8 ). 
   
   
       10 . Ammunition device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the second space/casing space ( 4   c ) is divided in its longitudinal extent into casing sections (A, B, C) each comprising a casing space ( 4   c ) for its own propellant charge ( 5 ) and means ( 12 ,  13 ) for the individual initiation of these propellant charges ( 5 ). 
   
   
       11 . Ammunition device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the casing ( 4 ) provides a guide for the projectile ( 2 ) as it is propelled from the enclosing unit ( 1 ). 
   
   
       12 . Ammunition device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the front space ( 9   a ) belonging to the subseguent projectile ( 2 ′) constitutes the front surface ( 9   a ) of a propellant reflector part ( 9 ) that is provided with sealing means ( 14 ) against an inner surface ( 4   f ) inside the enclosing unit ( 1 ). 
   
   
       13 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the respective projectile ( 2 ) is so arranged as to leave the enclosing unit ( 1 ) before firing of the subsequent projectile ( 2 ) takes place. 
   
   
       14 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the subsequent projectile ( 2 ) is so arranged as to be capable of being actuated for its propulsion from the enclosing unit ( 1 ) before the preceding projectile ( 2 ) has left the aforementioned enclosing unit ( 1 ). 
   
   
       15 . Ammunition device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that it is so arranged as to be capable of being fired by means of a large-bore firing tube weapon ( 17 ), for example a firing tube weapon with a bore of  20 - 40 . 
   
   
       16 . Ammunition device according to Claim  2 , characterized in that the projectiles ( 2 ) and the propellant charges ( 5 ) are arranged for use in a firing tube weapon ( 17 ) without a magazine. 
   
   
       17 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the projectiles ( 2 ) are held loosely together in the enclosing unit ( 1 ) with holding means which preferably comprise a bayonet mounting or a screw-in mounting. 
   
   
       18 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each of the casings ( 4 ) enclosing the projectiles ( 2 ) comprises casing sections (A, B, C) mutually aligned parallel one with the other that are so arranged as to be capable of individual activation. 
   
   
       19 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the unit ( 1 ) enclosing the projectiles ( 2 ) and the propellant charges ( 5 ) is arranged together with a plurality of further enclosing units ( 16 ) arranged one alongside the other. 
   
   
       20 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the enclosing unit ( 1 ) is so arranged as to be capable of alignment with the firing tube ( 18 ) of a firing tube weapon ( 17 ). 
   
   
       21 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the enclosing unit ( 1 ) is arranged in a carrier that is transported or advanced in relation to the intended target. 
   
   
       22 . Ammunition device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each longitudinal part (IA, IB, etc.) comprises a mechanical attachment means ( 15 ), preferably a bayonet mounting or a screw-in mounting in order to assure the aforementioned mountability.