Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for accelerating projectiles at high velocity. A barrel may include one or more heaters configured to heat a bore of the barrel prior to launch of a projectile. The barrel bore may be formed in a tungsten sleeve and may be heated to high temperatures. Heat from the barrel bore may be transferred to expanding propellant behind a projectile as it travels through the barrel bore.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for accelerating projectiles at high velocity. A barrel may include one or more heaters configured to heat a bore of the barrel prior to launch of a projectile. The barrel bore may be formed in a tungsten sleeve and may be heated to high temperatures. Heat from the barrel bore may be transferred to expanding propellant behind a projectile as it travels through the barrel bore.

An improvised projectile checking housing assembly having latch button and first and second sidewalls with first and second catch apertures opening as a catch latch recess of elongated structure using an improvised projectile checking spring opening to receive a locking key structure based upon the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly. Alternate rearward translating lock gauge at the backside of a dart drum uses a follower and engaging cam surfaces locking and unlocking a pathway for correct dart alignment. Alternate motorized, non-motorized and pneumatic structures are disclosed with apparatus launch operations moving between checking and non-checking positions.

An improvised projectile checking housing assembly having latch button and first and second sidewalls with first and second catch apertures opening as a catch latch recess of elongated structure using an improvised projectile checking spring opening to receive a locking key structure based upon the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly. Alternate rearward translating lock gauge at the backside of a dart drum uses a follower and engaging cam surfaces locking and unlocking a pathway for correct dart alignment. Alternate motorized, non-motorized and pneumatic structures are disclosed with apparatus launch operations moving between checking and non-checking positions.

The present disclosure provides a continuous launcher including a pressing tube having a first hollow portion therein, a launch unit having a second hollow portion therein, disposed at a front side of the pressing tube in a spaced manner, and launching a launch object using air compression force, a piston supply unit provided at a rear side surface of the pressing tube, including a plurality of pistons therein, and supplying the pistons one by one, a piston loading unit connected to a rear end of the pressing tube, and moving the piston to a load position, and an operating fluid supply unit supplying an operating fluid to press forward the piston, wherein the launch unit includes a launch tube having a launch hollow portion with the launch object therein, and a diaphragm.

The present disclosure provides a continuous launcher including a pressing tube having a first hollow portion therein, a launch unit having a second hollow portion therein, disposed at a front side of the pressing tube in a spaced manner, and launching a launch object using air compression force, a piston supply unit provided at a rear side surface of the pressing tube, including a plurality of pistons therein, and supplying the pistons one by one, a piston loading unit connected to a rear end of the pressing tube, and moving the piston to a load position, and an operating fluid supply unit supplying an operating fluid to press forward the piston, wherein the launch unit includes a launch tube having a launch hollow portion with the launch object therein, and a diaphragm.

A projectile launching apparatus includes a linear motion converter driven by a motor, a piston coupled to the linear motion converter and reciprocally movable within a cylinder, a gas spring and a breech assembly. The piston, when actuated by the linear motion converter, may energize the gas spring, and after the gas spring is fully energized, the linear motion converter may release the piston. When the piston is released, the piston may compress a gas within the cylinder, which compressed gas may be communicated to a barrel of the breech assembly. The compressed gas may expand in the barrel of the breech assembly for launching a projectile that has been chambered in the barrel, with a high velocity.

An improved light gas gun launches a projectile in a light gas atmosphere as it travels through a frictionless barrel to achieve high muzzle velocities, decreased acoustic signatures, and increased ranges. The light gas atmosphere is introduced by a purge valve prior to firing or by a muzzle valve that holds a positive light gas pressure on the barrel and breech. The muzzle valve also routes the majority of propellant gases through a suppression canister, reducing the light gas gun's acoustic signature. The frictionless barrel uses light gas propellant routed through gas bearings to keep the projectile centered in the barrel and preclude the projectile from contacting the barrel walls, eliminating barrel wear. The system includes a projectile assembly that stores light gas from the firing and injects it into the boundary layer, reducing drag, increasing range and lethality, and decreasing acoustic signature of the projectile down range.

A gas spring assembly includes an interior piston tube disposed within an interior pressure chamber of a piston. A bushing is slideably disposed between an annular wall of the piston and the interior piston tube. A catch is attached to the interior pressure tube, and includes a body having a cylindrical portion defining a circular cross section perpendicular to and concentric with a longitudinal axis of the piston. The body of the catch includes an exterior surface defining an outer diameter. A bore extends along a bore axis into the cylindrical portion of the body, and defines a circular cross section having a bore diameter, perpendicular to and concentric with the bore axis. The bore diameter of the bore is less than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the body. The catch is formed by plunging an end mill into the cylindrical portion of the catch.

A gas spring assembly includes an interior piston tube disposed within an interior pressure chamber of a piston. A bushing is slideably disposed between an annular wall of the piston and the interior piston tube. A catch is attached to the interior pressure tube, and includes a body having a cylindrical portion defining a circular cross section perpendicular to and concentric with a longitudinal axis of the piston. The body of the catch includes an exterior surface defining an outer diameter. A bore extends along a bore axis into the cylindrical portion of the body, and defines a circular cross section having a bore diameter, perpendicular to and concentric with the bore axis. The bore diameter of the bore is less than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the body. The catch is formed by plunging an end mill into the cylindrical portion of the catch.