DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC LOADING OF A GUN WITH LARGE-CALIBER AMMUNITION MOUNTED IN A TANK TURRET

Abstract

A device for automatically loading a large-caliber cartridge into the gun bore of a gun carried by a tank turret, comprises a revolving magazine mounted for rotation about the rotational axis of the turret, and independently of the rotation of the turret. The revolving magazine includes two vertical levels of magazine compartments lying radially in the magazine with cartridges facing toward the rotational axis. The revolving magazine includes an elevator which can lift a cartridge from the uppermost level of magazine compartments into a breach opening area of the gun barrel whereat the cartridge can be rammed into the gun barrel bore. In a forward trough area of the tank carrying the tank turret, a second magazine is provided having a plurality of chutes each with at least three cartridges stacked one on top of the other. The lower end of the second magazine is positioned above the lower level of magazine compartments of the revolving magazine so that, with a cartridge pickup device cartridges can be transferred from the second magazine into vacant compartments of the revolving magazine. A rammer is provided for this purpose.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1AUGUST SCHIELE