Weapon System Methods for Firing and Detecting Ammunition Bodies

Abstract

A weapon system comprising a weapon for firing ammunition bodies, and at least one scanner for examining the structure of one of the ammunition bodies. A method for firing ammunition bodies by means of a weapon includes the step of scanning one of the ammunition bodies prior to firing thereof. A method of detecting ammunition bodies includes the step of scanning the structure of one of the ammunition bodies.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A weapon system, comprising:
 a weapon for firing ammunition bodies, and   at least one scanner for examining the structure of one of the ammunition bodies.   
     
     
         17 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one scanner is integrated into said weapon in such a way that it is configured to examine the structure of the ammunition body in its firing position. 
     
     
         18 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , which further includes an ammunition supply mechanism for said weapon, wherein said at least one scanner is disposed in the region of said ammunition supply mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , which further includes a handling mechanism for loading of said weapon, wherein said at least one scanner is disposed on said handling mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , which further includes a type-identifying device that is configured to determine the type of a given ammunition body, wherein said at least one scanner is coupled with said type-identifying device. 
     
     
         21 . A weapon system according to  claim 20 , which further includes a reference data bank, wherein said type-identifying device is configured to compare examination results of said at least one scanner with said data bank. 
     
     
         22 . A weapon system according to  claim 20 , which further includes a round-blocking device that is configured to prevent firing of an ammunition body, wherein said type-identifying device is coupled with said round-blocking device. 
     
     
         23 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , which further includes an ammunition depot that is configured to be loaded with a plurality of ammunition bodies and from which the ammunition bodies can be removed and supplied to said weapon, wherein said at least one scanner is disposed on a loading side of said ammunition depot. 
     
     
         24 . A weapon system according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one scanner is an acoustic resonance tester. 
     
     
         25 . A method for firing ammunition bodies by means of a weapon, including the step of:
 scanning the structure of one of the ammunition bodies prior to firing thereof.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said scanning step comprises examining the structure of the ammunition body in a firing position thereof within the weapon. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , which includes the step, on the basis of a structure examination by means of at least one scanner, of determining the type of ammunition body using a type-identifying device. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , which includes the step of blocking the weapon as a function of a recognized type of ammunition body. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 27 , which includes the step of transmitting information pertaining to the type of ammunition body to a weapon controller. 
     
     
         30 . A method of detecting ammunition bodies, including the step of:
 scanning the structure of one of the ammunition bodies.   
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein said scanning step comprises examining the structure of the ammunition body on a loading side of an ammunition depot that is configured to be filled with a plurality of ammunition bodies.