Importance

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Abstract

Shell loading apparatus, particularly for an externally mounted tank cannon, provides automated loading of shells from a magazine in a vehicle to a cannon externally mounted to the vehicle. The shell loading apparatus includes a pair of opposed, generally D-shaped cam tracks mounted in a cannon pod rearwardly of the cannon breech. Linear portions of the cam tracks are parallel to the barrel bore axis, arcuate portions of the cam tracks are directed upwardly with straight lead-in segments thereof directed towards a magazine shell extraction position when the cannon barrel is in a specific elevational position for shell loading. A shell rammer is connected to cam followers disposed in the cam tracks. A rammer support is fixed to gun mounting structure parallel to the cam track lead in segment. Pressurized fluid actuators connected to the rammer move the rammer with cam followers constrained to the cam tracks from a first, shell extraction position to a second shell loading position, the cam tracks being configured for controlling upward and rearward and then forward movement from the first to the second positions. A deployable tripper mounted adjacent the second position causes the rammer to release the shell held thereby when the rammer is moved into the second position, the released shell being catapulted into the cannon breech. A sensor and control system control operation of the shell loading apparatus.

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First Claim