COMBAT VEHICLE HAVING A WEAPON SYSTEM

Abstract

The installation space dimensions of a weapon system in the tower are complied with, and a loading space diameter of a caliber-larger weapon barrel is approximately maintained in relation to the smaller caliber. The required larger loading space volume for the caliber increase is predominantly achieved by an extension of the loading space of the caliber-larger weapon barrel relative to a loading space of the caliber-smaller weapon barrel itself. Since the loading space diameter of a larger caliber remains virtually unchanged, the outer dimensions of the caliber-larger weapon barrel also remain virtually unchanged compared to the outer dimensions of the caliber-smaller weapon barrel in the region of the loading part.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising: at least one breech; a blowback system; and a larger-caliber replaceable barrel with a loading space, wherein the larger-caliber replaceable barrel has a loading space lengthening compared with a loading space of a smaller-caliber barrel while maintaining a loading space diameter of the smaller-caliber barrel to increase the performance of the weapon system.

2. The weapon system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the larger-caliber barrel has a caliber part with a larger caliber diameter than the smaller-caliber barrel.

3. The weapon system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the larger-caliber barrel has a 130 mm caliber and the smaller-caliber barrel has a 120 mm caliber.

4. The weapon system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading space length of the larger-caliber barrel is selected depending on the ammunition to be fired.

5. The weapon system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading space length of the larger-caliber barrel is selected depending on an amount of propelling charge required.

6. The weapon system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recoil path of the weapon system is lengthened. A combat vehicle comprising a weapon system as claimed in claim 1.

8. The combat vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the larger-caliber weapon system is exchanged for and/or replaces a smaller-caliber weapon system.

9. The combat vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein an increase in performance is realized in the weapon system.

10. The combat vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the combat vehicle is a battle tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a weapon system,

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a section through a barrel with a smaller caliber according to the prior art, and

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a section through a barrel with a larger caliber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a weapon system 100 with a barrel 1, breech 2 and blowback system 3, these being the principle subassemblies of the weapon system 100.

[0020] In FIG. 2 a barrel 1 according to the prior art is depicted schematically in section. A front region 11 of the barrel 1 is a caliber part 12 with a caliber diameter 13. A rear region 14 of the barrel 1 is a loading part 15 with a loading space diameter 16 and a loading space length 17.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the barrel 1 according to the invention compared with the prior art as a schematic depiction. A front region 11 is a caliber part 12 with a caliber diameter 13. A rear region 14 is a loading part 15 with a loading diameter 16 and a loading space length 17.

[0022] The barrel 1 in FIG. 2 has a smaller caliber than the barrel 1 in FIG. 3. The barrel 1 in the present embodiment has a 120 mm caliber; the barrel 1 has a 130 mm caliber. The caliber diameter 13 (120 mm) of the smaller-caliber barrel 1 is therefore smaller than the caliber diameter 13 (130 mm) of the larger-caliber barrel 1.

[0023] The weapon system 100 is integrated via an interface of a battle tank etc., usually in a turret (Lafette) and fitted therein. Each weapon system in this case requires a so-called installation space in the turret.

[0024] So that existing interfaces with/in the turret and the existing installation space (not shown in greater detail) for the weapon system 100 with a barrel 1 can be used by a weapon system 100 with the larger-caliber barrel 1, the loading space diameter 16 of the barrel 1 is maintained in relation to the loading space diameter 16 of the smaller-caliber barrel 1.

[0025] However, the loading space length 17 of the loading part 15 of the larger-caliber barrel 1 is changed relative to the loading space length 17 of the loading part 15 of the smaller-caliber barrel 1 (see FIG. 3) by a lengthening 20. The outer dimensions 18, 18 of the barrels 1, 1 are the same, however, in the region of the loading part 15, 15, i.e. the outer dimension 18 of the larger-caliber barrel 1 remains virtually unchanged compared with the smaller-caliber barrel 1, so virtually unchanged in this region.

[0026] The lengthening 20 of the loading space 17 in this case depends on the length of the ammunition used or to be fired and also the amount of propelling charge required to improve on-target performance.

[0027] In order to observe the permitted loading capacity of the turret or the interface, the recoil path of the weapon system 100 may be lengthened, for example.

[0028] The idea behind the invention to increase the performance of a weapon system, as described, is not limited to the 130 mm caliber and can also be used in small-, medium- and other large-caliber weapon systems.

[0029] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.