GB2149069A

GB2149069A - Gun turrets

Info

Publication number: GB2149069A
Application number: GB08425729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Santino Pancotti; Gian Luigi Bandera
Original assignee: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Giovanni Augusta SpA
Current assignee: Agusta SpA
Priority date: 1983-10-26
Filing date: 1984-10-11
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: JPS60211296A; FR2554222B1; JPH057640B2; DE3438816A1; IT8353861V0; FR2554222A1; GB8425729D0; IT8353861U1; GB2149069B

Abstract

A trainable weapon (1) for an aircraft, particularly a helicopter, comprises a turret (2) mountable externally on the aircraft so as to turn, in relation to the latter, round its own axis (5), and supporting, on one side, a gun (8) pivotable about an axis (a) and, on the other, an ammunition box (10) fitted inside the turret (2) and connected to the gun (8) by a line (11) for supplying ammunition (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters The present invention relates to a trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters.

Tactical aircraft, particularly fighter helicopters, which the following description refeers to solely by way of a non-limiting example, are known to be fitted with trainable weapons consisting of a weapon, usually a quick-firing gun, mounted at varying height on a turret fitted underneath the cockpit or in any other suitable location, the said turret being designed to turn round its own axis, usually perpendicular to the swing axis of the said weapon in relation to the said turret. On fighter helicopters, the aforementioned turret is generally mounted underneath a front portion of the cockpit, the weapon itself being supplied with ammunition from a box located some distance away from the turret and either connected integral with or built into the body of the helicopter.

Both the latter arrangements involve drawbacks, firstly in location, on account of the almost total lack of space available on fighter helicopters and, secondly, in ammunition supply. Being located some distance away from the weapon, the said box must be connected to it by a flexible ammunition line, which invariably limits the travelling range of the turret round its own axis. Furthermore, fitting the said box and turret on the helicopter and connecting the two together is a fairly time-consuming operation, so much so that the operating capacity of the helicopter itself may be impaired.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a trainable weapon essentially involving none of the aforementioned drawbacks.

With this aim in view, the present invention relates to a trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters, comprising a turret, mounted on the outer surface of the said aircraft body so as to turn in relation to the latter round a first axis, a weapon, mounted on the said turret so as to swing in relation to the latter round a second axis, and an ammunition box, the said weapon being characterised by the fact that the said box is connected integral with the said turret so as to turn together with the latter round the said first axis.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing showing a view in perspective of one non-limiting arrangement.

Number 1 on the attached drawing indicates a trainable weapon, particularly suitable for assembly on a helicopter (not shown).

Weapon 1 comprises a turret 2 consisting of a box body, essentially trapezoidal in shape and fitted at the top with an internally-toothed ring gear 3. When operated, ring gear 3 meshes with an output pinion 4 on an actuator device (not shown) fitted on the said helicopter and designed to turn turret 2 round axis 5 of ring gear 3.

The smaller base end of turret 2 is provided with a slot 6 housing the rear body 7 of a quick-firing gun 8 designed to swing, in relation to turret 2, round axis 9 essentially perpendicular with axis 5.

The larger base end of turret 2 is fitted, in removable manner, with an ammunition box 10 a side outlet of which is connected, by supply line 11, to an inlet 1 2 for ammunition 13, the said inlet being formed in the side of body 7 next to the firing chamber (not shown) on gun 8. Consequently, trainable weapon 1 consists essentially of turret 2, gun 8 and box 10, all integral with one another and forming a single, highly compact unit that can easily be fitted on to the helicopter using fast-fit couplings (not shown). Furthermore, as box 10 on weapon 1 is fitted directly on to turret 2, adjacent to gun 8, besides taking up no space inside the helicopter, the said box may also be connected to gun 8 by line 11 which, being desiged to move together with box 10 and turret 2, in no way limits the travel of the latter round its own axis 5.

1. Trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters, comprising a turret, mounted on the outer surface of the said aircraft body so as to turn in relation to the latter round a first axis, a weapon, mounted on the said turret so as to swing in relation to the latter round a second axis, and an ammunition box, the said weapon being characterised by the fact that the said box is connected integral with the said turret so as to turn together with the latter round the said first axis 2. Weapon according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said box is located on the opposite side of the said trainable weapon in relation to the said turret.

3. Weapon according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that an external line for supplying the ammunition connects the said box to the said weapon.

4. Trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters, essentially as described and illustrated with reference to the attached drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters The present invention relates to a trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters. Tactical aircraft, particularly fighter helicopters, which the following description refeers to solely by way of a non-limiting example, are known to be fitted with trainable weapons consisting of a weapon, usually a quick-firing gun, mounted at varying height on a turret fitted underneath the cockpit or in any other suitable location, the said turret being designed to turn round its own axis, usually perpendicular to the swing axis of the said weapon in relation to the said turret. On fighter helicopters, the aforementioned turret is generally mounted underneath a front portion of the cockpit, the weapon itself being supplied with ammunition from a box located some distance away from the turret and either connected integral with or built into the body of the helicopter. Both the latter arrangements involve drawbacks, firstly in location, on account of the almost total lack of space available on fighter helicopters and, secondly, in ammunition supply. Being located some distance away from the weapon, the said box must be connected to it by a flexible ammunition line, which invariably limits the travelling range of the turret round its own axis. Furthermore, fitting the said box and turret on the helicopter and connecting the two together is a fairly time-consuming operation, so much so that the operating capacity of the helicopter itself may be impaired. The aim of the present invention is to provide a trainable weapon essentially involving none of the aforementioned drawbacks. With this aim in view, the present invention relates to a trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters, comprising a turret, mounted on the outer surface of the said aircraft body so as to turn in relation to the latter round a first axis, a weapon, mounted on the said turret so as to swing in relation to the latter round a second axis, and an ammunition box, the said weapon being characterised by the fact that the said box is connected integral with the said turret so as to turn together with the latter round the said first axis. The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing showing a view in perspective of one non-limiting arrangement. Number 1 on the attached drawing indicates a trainable weapon, particularly suitable for assembly on a helicopter (not shown). Weapon 1 comprises a turret 2 consisting of a box body, essentially trapezoidal in shape and fitted at the top with an internally-toothed ring gear 3. When operated, ring gear 3 meshes with an output pinion 4 on an actuator device (not shown) fitted on the said helicopter and designed to turn turret 2 round axis 5 of ring gear 3. The smaller base end of turret 2 is provided with a slot 6 housing the rear body 7 of a quick-firing gun 8 designed to swing, in relation to turret 2, round axis 9 essentially perpendicular with axis 5. The larger base end of turret 2 is fitted, in removable manner, with an ammunition box 10 a side outlet of which is connected, by supply line 11, to an inlet 1 2 for ammunition 13, the said inlet being formed in the side of body 7 next to the firing chamber (not shown) on gun 8. Consequently, trainable weapon 1 consists essentially of turret 2, gun 8 and box 10, all integral with one another and forming a single, highly compact unit that can easily be fitted on to the helicopter using fast-fit couplings (not shown). Furthermore, as box 10 on weapon 1 is fitted directly on to turret 2, adjacent to gun 8, besides taking up no space inside the helicopter, the said box may also be connected to gun 8 by line 11 which, being desiged to move together with box 10 and turret 2, in no way limits the travel of the latter round its own axis 5. CLAIMS

1. Trainable weapon for aircraft, particularly helicopters, comprising a turret, mounted on the outer surface of the said aircraft body so as to turn in relation to the latter round a first axis, a weapon, mounted on the said turret so as to swing in relation to the latter round a second axis, and an ammunition box, the said weapon being characterised by the fact that the said box is connected integral with the said turret so as to turn together with the latter round the said first axis

2. Weapon according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said box is located on the opposite side of the said trainable weapon in relation to the said turret.