NO20220347A1

NO20220347A1 - Ammunition supply system and a weapon system

Info

Publication number: NO20220347A1
Application number: NO20220347A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Lars Egil Bjørset; Johannes Gjestrud; Michael Thomassen; Tomas Wamstad; Asbjørn Andersen; Odd Harald Brøndbo; Aleksander Stevnhoved-Aasheim
Original assignee: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace As
Priority date: 2022-03-22
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2023-09-25
Also published as: WO2023180188A1

Description

AMMUNITION SUPPLY SYSTEM AND A WEAPON SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an ammunition supply system and a weapon system.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Weapon systems normally comprise a weapon and one or two ammunition magazines connectable to the weapon for feeding ammunition to the magazine.

Regardless of using one or two ammunition magazines, there is typically only one type of ammunition in each magazine. However, one of the magazines may accommodate a first type of ammunition whereas the other magazine may accommodate a second type of ammunition.

In the event that an operator does not have the correct ammunition available in the magazine(s), it is required to change the whole ammunition magazine or refilling of ammunition in one magazine. This is time-consuming and not desirable.

It is thus an objective of the invention to provide an ammunition supply system with a linkless ammunition magazine where an operator can select which ammunition to feed to the weapon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

The invention provides an override functionality of a weapon such that it is possible to disengage the weapon motor from the linkless ammunition magazine and rather operate a dedicated motor on the linkless ammunition magazine to feed, retrieve and/or index ammunition in the magazine. To index ammunition is herein referred to as the process of keeping order of what type of ammunition that is in each of the single ammunition positions in the linkless ammunition magazine. In particular, the invention provides a solution of manipulating an override interface on a weapon. This renders possible that the weapon motor can be disengaged, and the motor of the ammunition supply system can operate the chain (and thus the ammunition stored in ammunition positions) of the linkless ammunition magazine. By disengaging the weapon motor and operate the linkless ammunition magazine using the motor of the ammunition supply system instead, it is possible to empty the transfer unit and operate the linkless ammunition magazine in a feeding direction and/or a reverse direction to select the next desired ammunition for the weapon.

This invention can be used together with, but is not limited to, weapons with sideways connection of two linkless ammunition magazines (one on each side thereof). However, the invention is not limited to such setups as it may be possible connect a single linkless ammunition magazine below the weapon.

It is described an ammunition supply system for a weapon, the system comprising: - a linkless ammunition magazine with single ammunition positions, wherein the linkless ammunition magazine is connectable to an ammunition receiving opening of the weapon;

- an override actuator connectable to an override interface of the weapon;

- a motor for moving ammunition inside the linkless ammunition magazine;

- a control system for controlling the override actuator and the motor;

wherein the ammunition supply system is configured to be in the following states: - a weapon firing state, in which the override actuator is turned off thereby allowing the ammunition to move from the linkless ammunition magazine towards the weapon; and

- an ammunition moving state, in which the override actuator is turned on thereby allowing the motor to move ammunition inside the linkless ammunition magazine.

The override actuator can be a solenoid or other override actuator which is manually or remotely operated. The override interface is the interface on the weapon where the override actuator of the ammunition supply system can be connected.

In the weapon firing state, the weapon is fired and the weapon motor operates the ammunition magazine.

In the ammunition moving state, the motor is turned on and can operate the linkless ammunition magazine such that ammunition is indexed to desired positions (also referred to as position identificators herein) inside the magazine. Furthermore, the weapon is not fired and the purpose is selecting ammunition, filling ammunition into the linkless ammunition magazine or retrieving ammunition from the linkless ammunition magazine.

Of course, ammunition will also be moved in the weapon firing state, but only in one direction towards the weapon. It will not be possible to fill or retrieve ammunition from the linkless ammunition magazine in the weapon firing state.

The control system may be one control system controlling the override actuator and the motor. Alternatively, it may be two different control systems, where one of the control systems controls the override actuator and the other control system controls the motor of the ammunition supply system.

The purpose of the motor of the ammunition supply system is to run ammunition indexing operations and possibly fill or empty the linkless ammunition magazine. In order to be able to do this, the motor may be operable in both the feeding direction and a reverse direction (reverse direction opposite to the feeding direction). In order to be able to operate the chain in the reverse direction, it is necessary to turn on the override actuator for that particular linkless ammunition magazine.

The linkless ammunition magazine may further comprise:

- a main storage unit with a rotatable endless chain comprising a plurality of spaced apart separation pins defining the single ammunition positions, where the single ammunition positions follow any movement of the chain, and wherein the motor is configured to operate the chain; and

- a transfer unit connected to the main storage unit for transferring ammunition between the main storage unit and the ammunition receiving opening of the weapon.

The main storage unit and the transfer unit may be integrated as one single unit or may be two separate units connectable to each other.

The motor of the ammunition supply system always rotate together with the chain. The motor may have a large torque (i.e. large diameter on stator/rotor) as well as a low gear ratio. This result in that only a relatively small torque from the chain is required to rotate the motor together with the chain. Furthermore, in the event that more ammunition is required in the main storage unit and the weapon motor does not provide sufficient torque to rotate the chain, the motor may be used as an auxiliary motor in the feeding direction to assist the weapon motor in feeding ammunition towards the weapon.

When the ammunition supply system is in the ammunition moving state, ammunition can be moved from the transfer unit to the main storage unit.

Furthermore, when in the ammunition moving state, ammunition is moved internally within the main storage unit.

When in the weapon firing state, the chain is rotated in a feeding direction, and, when in the ammunition moving state, ammunition is moved in at least a reverse direction opposite of the feeding direction. The motor of the linkless ammunition magazine may be able to move the ammunition in both directions inside the linkless ammunition magazine (i.e. both in the feeding direction and in the reverse direction).

The control system may comprise an indexing system (also referred to as position identificator system herein), wherein each single ammunition position in the linkless ammunition magazine may be defined with a position identificator and a type of ammunition for each position identificator.

The ammunition supply system may further comprise an access port for inserting ammunition into the main storage unit and for retrieving ammunition out from the main storage unit.

Insertion or filling of ammunition and retrieving ammunition from the main storage unit is only possible when the ammunition supply system is in the ammunition moving state.

I.e., if the ammunition supply system is in the weapon firing state, it is not possible to fill or retrieve ammunition into or out from the main storage unit. This is because the weapon motor operates the movement of ammunition inside the linkless ammunition magazine in the feeding direction.

The access port may be arranged at different positions. For example, the access port may be arranged directly below or at the transfer unit.

The control system may comprise a sensor for sensing the type of ammunition at the single ammunition position within the main storage unit, wherein the type of ammunition sensed by the sensor is stored as the type of ammunition for that position identificator in the position identificator system. Alternatively, the control system may comprise a sensor for sensing type of ammunition fed into the access port and into a single ammunition position inside the main storage unit, where the type of ammunition sensed by the sensor is stored as the type of ammunition for the position identificator of that single ammunition position.

The sensor may be used for detecting or verifying the type of ammunition at a single ammunition position within the main storage unit. The type of ammunition detected or verified, may be stored for that position identificator. In order for this to be effective, each single ammunition position between neighboring separation pins will have their unique position identificator.

The sensor (or sensors if more than one sensor) may be arranged at the access port.

The sensor (or sensors) may detect type of ammunition based one or more of the following parameters: weight, shape and/or visual detection (such as e.g. color or pattern).

The main storage unit may comprise a one-way gate preventing passing of ammunition in the feeding direction and allowing passing of ammunition in a reverse direction, wherein the reverse direction is opposite the feeding direction.

The one-way gate features an opening which allows the separation pins (but not the ammunition) to pass in both the feeding direction and the reverse direction without opening the one-way gate. The one-way gate may be seen as spring-loaded pawls, oneway saloon doors or as a restriction device.

The transfer unit may comprise star wheels for guiding ammunition between the main storage unit and the ammunition receiving opening of the weapon.

The star wheels in the transfer unit may be rotatably connected to the endless chain such that the chain and the star wheels are always rotatably connected and always rotate in the same direction. As such, the motor may drive the chain in the main storage unit and also the star wheels in the transfer unit when indexing, loading or emptying the main storage unit. This is advantageous in terms of being able to empty ammunition both from the receiving opening in the weapon and in the transfer unit.

In addition, the star wheels may be rotatably connected to the weapon motor via the override interface, such that in the weapon firing state, the star wheels (and thus the chain) rotate together with the weapon motor.

The motor of the ammunition supply system may be a servomotor. However, other types of motors able to perform the required function is also possible.

It is further described a method of operating a weapon system, wherein the weapon system comprises:

- an electrically powered weapon comprising an ammunition receiving opening and an override interface;

- a linkless ammunition magazine connectable to the ammunition receiving opening of the weapon, and wherein the linkless ammunition magazine comprises an override actuator connectable to the override interface of the weapon;

- a motor for moving ammunition inside the linkless ammunition magazine;

- a control system for controlling the override actuator and the motor; and wherein the method comprises the steps of operating the linkless ammunition magazine between:

- a weapon firing state, in which the override actuator is turned off thereby allowing the ammunition to move from the linkless ammunition magazine towards the weapon; and

- an ammunition moving state, in which the override actuator is turned thereby allowing the motor to move ammunition inside the linkless ammunition magazine.

The method may comprise a step of, prior to the step of turning on the override actuator, a step of: Establishing or verify that the ammunition supply system is in the weapon firing state.

It is further descried a weapon system comprising:

- an electrically powered weapon, the weapon comprising an ammunition receiving opening and an override interface;

- an ammunition supply system as defined above, wherein the linkless ammunition magazine is connected to the ammunition receiving opening and wherein the override actuator is connected to the override interface.

The linkless ammunition magazine may be connected to the ammunition receiving opening via the transfer unit.

The weapon of the weapon system may comprise a weapon motor connected to the control system, and wherein, when in the weapon firing state, the ammunition may be moved in the feeding direction by means of the weapon motor.

The weapon motor may be an electric motor which is integrated in the weapon. In the weapon firing state, the ammunition motor turned off or disengaged and a weapon motor on the weapon move ammunition towards the weapon. Here, the ammunition motor will not prevent movement of the endless chain. Alternatively, the ammunition motor is actively controlled by the control system to be a so-called slave of the master weapon motor.

The relative terms “upper”, “lower”, “below”, “above”, “higher” etc. shall be understood in their normal sense and as seen in a cartesian coordinate system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the invention, which will now be described by way of example only, where:

Fig. 1A is a perspective rear view of a weapon system comprising a weapon and two ammunition supply systems, where the ammunition supply systems are connected to the weapon from opposite sides;

Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of section A in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 1C is perspective front view of the weapon system in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the two ammunition supply systems in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of section B in Fig. 2A showing one of the ammunition supply systems;

Fig. 2C is a side view from an opposite side of the ammunition supply system in Fig. 2B;

Fig. 2D is a side view of the ammunition supply system 10 in Fig. 2B where an access port is shown in an open position for feeding ammunition;

Fig. 3 shows an ammunition supply system with two different types of ammunition in the same linkless ammunition magazine;

In Figs.4A and 4B a side cover of the linkless ammunition magazine has been removed in order to show details of the inside of the linkless ammunition magazine, where Fig.4A shows the linkless ammunition magazine without ammunition in the single ammunition positions and Fig.4B shows the linkless ammunition magazine with ammunition in some of the single ammunition positions;

Figs. 5A-5L show a linkless ammunition magazine with a first type of ammunition and a second type of ammunition, and the Figures indicate in sequence the replacement of the first type of ammunition present in a transfer unit of the ammunition supply system with one ammunition of the second type of ammunition;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the ammunition supply system and the weapon system according to the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings and that components described in relation to the ammunition supply system is valid for the weapon system and vice versa.

Fig. 1A is a perspective rear view of a weapon system 100 comprising a weapon 1 and two ammunition supply systems 10, where the ammunition supply systems 10 are connected to the weapon 1 from opposite sides. The weapon 1 is arranged in center of the two ammunition supply systems 10. In the disclosed example, the weapon 1 is a 30 mm cannon, the ammunition will typically be one of the following three varieties: armorpiercing (AP), high-explosive (HE), and target practice (TP) rounds. Both armor-piercing and high-explosive cartridges commonly possess incendiary or tracer characteristics. It should be noted that the present invention may be used for other weapons and other calibers as well.

The ammunition supply system 10 is disclosed with a linkless ammunition magazine 11 and is connectable to an ammunition receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1. The linkless ammunition magazine 11 comprises a main storage unit 15. Details of the main storage unit 15 will be described in relation to Figs.2B and 2C below.

Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of section A in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1C is perspective front view of the weapon system 100 in Fig.1A.

Referring to Figs. 1A-1C it is shown two override interfaces 3 on the weapon 1 to which override actuators 30 of the ammunition supply system 10 can be connected. The ammunition supply system 10 features a motor 12 for moving ammunition 40 (ammunition 40 shown in Fig.1C, see e.g. Fig.1B) inside the linkless ammunition magazine 11 and a control system 50 for controlling the override actuator 30 and the motor 12. The respective ammunition supply systems 10 comprises a transfer unit 17 connected to the main storage unit 15 for transferring ammunition 40 between the main storage unit 15 and the ammunition receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the two ammunition supply systems 10 in Fig.1A.

Fig. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of section B in Fig.2A showing one of the ammunition supply systems 10.

Fig. 2C is a side view from an opposite side of the ammunition supply system 10 in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 2D is a side view of the ammunition supply system 10 in Fig.2B where an access port is shown in an open position for feeding ammunition.

Referring to Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, the main storage unit 15 of the linkless ammunition magazine 11 has single ammunition positions 13,13’,13’’ for one ammunition 40 at each position. The main storage unit 15 features rotatable endless chains 16 (only one chain 16 disclosed in the Figures) comprising a plurality of spaced apart separation pins 14 where one single ammunition position 13,13’,13’’is defined by two neighboring separation pins 14. The single ammunition positions 13,13’,13’’ follow any movement of the chains 16. The chains 16 are arranged on opposite sides of the separation pins 14 and operate synchronously. The motor 12 is configured to operate the chains 16 and thus move the single ammunition positions 13,13’,13’’ internally in the main storage unit 15 and to and from the receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1 via the transfer unit 17.

The transfer unit 17 is disclosed with star wheels 20, 20’, 20’’ for guiding ammunition 40 between the main storage unit 15 and the ammunition receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1. The star wheels 20,20’,20’’ in the transfer unit 17 are rotatably connected to the endless chain 16 such that the chain 16 and the star wheels 20,20’20’’are always rotatably connected and always rotate synchronously in the same direction. As such, the motor 12 may drive the chain 16 in the main storage unit 15 and also the star wheels 20,20’,20’’ in the transfer unit 17 when indexing and loading or emptying the main storage unit 15 with ammunition 40. This is advantageous in terms of being able to empty ammunition 40 both from the receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1 and the transfer unit 17.

It is further disclosed an access port 18 for inserting ammunition 40 into the main storage unit 15 and for retrieving ammunition 40 out from the main storage unit 15. It is only possible to feed ammunition 40 into and retrieve ammunition 40 out from the main storage unit 15 when the ammunition supply system 10 is in the ammunition moving state. The motor 12 of the ammunition supply system 10 may be utilized to move the chains 16, and thus the single ammunition positions 13,13’,13’’ one position once one ammunition 40 has been fed into or retrieved out from the main storage unit 15 via the access port 18. The access port 18 is disclosed directly below the transfer unit 17. In Fig. 2D the access port 18 is in an open position and an ammunition 40 is about to be fed into the main storage unit 15.

The control system 50 (not shown in Figs.2A-2C, see Fig.1C) may comprise a sensor 23 for sensing type of ammunition 40 fed into the access port 18 and into a single ammunition position 13,13’,13’’ inside the main storage unit 15, where the type of ammunition 40 sensed by the sensor 23 is stored as the type of ammunition 40 for the position identificator of that single ammunition position 13,13’,13’’. The sensor 23 may detect type of ammunition 40 based one or more of the following parameters: weight, shape and/or visual detection (such as e.g. color or pattern, see example of differently colored ammunition 40 in Fig.3). One or more sensors(s) 23 may alternatively or additionally be positioned inside the main storage unit 15.

Referring to Fig.2C, some details of the operational setup of the motor 12 connected to a wheel 26 on the same rotational axis as star wheel 20 via a drive belt 27, thus, when the motor 12 rotates, the wheel 26 and the star wheel 20 rotate. And, because the star wheels 20,20’,20’’ always rotate together with the chains 16, the chains 16 will also rotate.

Fig. 3 shows an ammunition supply system 10 with two different types of ammunition numbered 40a1-a5 and 40x1-x5, respectively, in the same linkless ammunition magazine 11.

In Figs.4A and 4B a side cover of the linkless ammunition magazine 11 has been removed in order to show details of the inside of the linkless ammunition magazine 11, where Fig.4A shows the linkless ammunition magazine 11 without ammunition in the single ammunition positions and Fig.4B shows the linkless ammunition 40 magazine with ammunition in some of the single ammunition positions. Further referring to Figs.

4A and 4B, the linkless ammunition magazine 11 comprises a main storage unit 15 and a transfer unit 17. The main storage unit 15 has two chains 16 with separation pins 14 therebetween defining the single ammunition positions 13 within the main storage unit 15. The main storage unit 15 is connected to the transfer unit 17. The transfer unit 17 features star wheels 20,20’ which rotates together with the chain(s) 16 both in the feeding direction FD and in the reverse direction RD. The ammunition 40 enters the transfer unit 17 from the uppermost level 21’ of the main storage unit 15. The chain(s) 16 and thus the separation pins 14 only move inside the main storage unit 15. When operating in the feeding direction FD, ammunition 40 entering the star wheel 20 from the uppermost level 21’ is allowed to move out from its ammunition position 13 in the main storage unit 15 and the star wheel 20 (together with the one-way gate 19 on an opposite side of the ammunition 40) guides the ammunition 40 into the transfer unit 17 while the chain(s) 16 and separation pins 14 rotate further along the endless loop in the main storage unit 15. Once the ammunition 40 has been guided by the first star wheel 20, another star wheel 20’ (and any required additional star wheels) further guides the ammunition 40 in the feeding direction FD towards a receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1 (not shown in Figs.

4A and 4B).

The endless loop forming the track for the endless chains 16 (and thus the separation pins 14) of the disclosed example, has a serpentine configuration with a total of six levels 21’-21’’’’’’ connected to each other via five U-turns 22’-22’’’’’, respectively.

The fact that the ammunition 40 is separated by separation pins 14 such that each ammunition 40 is separate the other ammunitions 40, the drawbacks of ammunition linked in chains with other ammunition 40 are reduced and rendering possible indexing as well as selecting which of the ammunition 40 present in the linkless ammunition magazine 11 (i.e. ammunition 40 in any of the main storage unit 15 or the transfer unit 17) to be fired. With reference to Figs. 5A-5L, one way of selecting which ammunition 40 to be fired, will be explained. Thus, the objective of the sequential freeze-frames in Figs.5A-5L, is to illustrate how the ammunition 40 closest to the receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1 can be changed with another ammunition in the same linkless ammunition magazine 11 (i.e. without changing magazine but only by operating the motor 12 of the linkless ammunition magazine 11 to select the ammunition to be fired).

Figs. 5A-5L show a linkless ammunition magazine 11 with a first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2,40a3,40a4,40a5 and a second type of ammunition 40x1,40x2,40x3, and the Figures indicate in sequence the replacement of the three first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2,40a3 present in a transfer unit 17 of the ammunition supply system 10 with one ammunition 40x1 of the second type of ammunition.

The control system may comprise an indexing system (also referred to as position identificator system), wherein each single ammunition position 13,13’,13’’ in the linkless ammunition magazine 11 may be defined with a position identificator and a type of ammunition 40a1-a5,40x1-x3 for each position identificator.

This indexing of ammunition 40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3 is only possible when the ammunition supply system 10 is in the ammunition moving state, i.e. the motor 12 of the linkless ammunition magazine 11 operates the chain 16 and thus move the ammunition 40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3 within the main storage unit 15 and the transfer unit 17. In addition, for this to be possible, it has to be empty ammunition positions 13,13’ available in the main storage unit 15 for receiving the first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2 present in the transfer unit 17. When seen from the indexing system, similar to that the each single ammunition position 13,13’,13’’ in the linkless ammunition magazine 11 is defined with a position identificator and a type of ammunition 40a1-a5,40x1-x3 for each position identificator, the empty ammunition positions 13,13’ will be allocated with type of ammunition “empty” such that the operator knows that these particular positions are empty and that ammunition present in the transfer unit 17 can be received in these empty positions.

In principle, in Figs. 5A-5H the motor 12 operates the chain in the reverse direction RD (as indicated by arrow RD) of the linkless ammunition magazine 11 emptying the transfer unit 17, and in Figs.5I-5L, the motor 12 operates the chain 16 in the feeding direction FD (as indicated by arrow FD) of the linkless ammunition magazine 11. In order to be able to operate the chain in the reverse direction RD, it is necessary to turn on the override actuator 30 for that particular linkless ammunition magazine 11.

As can be seen in Fig.5A, the motor 12 operates in reverse direction RD and two first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2 are in the transfer unit 17, whereas three first type of ammunition 40a3,40a4,40a5 are in the upper path 24 of the main storage unit 15. No ammunition is visible in the lower path 25. The one-way gate 19 allows the separation pins 14 to pass therethrough unhindered both in the feeding direction FD as well as in the Reverse Direction RD. The one-way gate 19 may be pre-tensioned or remotely actuated to prevent that ammunition 40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3 passes through the it from above (i.e. ammunition is not allowed to pass through the one-way gate 19 from a position above the one-way gate 19 to a position below the one-way gate 19) but allows for passing through it from below (i.e. ammunition is allowed to pass through the one-way gate 19 from a position below the one-way gate 19 to a position above the one-way gate 19) as will be illustrated with reference to Figs.5F-5H below. However, the upper surface of the oneway gate 19 functions as a guide for guiding ammunition 40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3 between the main storage unit 15 and the transfer unit 17 in both the feeding direction FD and the reverse direction RD.

An upper surface of the one-way gate 19 guides the ammunition 40 to and from the transfer unit 17.

In Fig.5B, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD and the two first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2 in the transfer unit 17 have moved closer to the upper path 24, whereas the three first type of ammunition 40a3,40a4,40a5 in the upper path 24 have moved further away from the transfer unit 17. One ammunition 40x1 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 is visible in the lower path 25. The emptying of the transfer unit 17 is obtained by the fact that the star wheels 20,20’ always rotate together with the chain 16 regardless whether the chain 16 rotates in the reverse direction RD or in the feeding direction FD.

In Fig.5C, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD and the two first type of ammunition 40a1,40a2 in the transfer unit 17 have moved closer to the upper path 24, whereas the first type of ammunition 40a3,40a4 in the upper path 24 have moved further away from the transfer unit 17. The first type ammunition numbered 40a2 is guided against the surface of the one-way gate 19 towards the upper path 24. The first type ammunition numbered 40a5 in Figs. 5A and 5B is no longer visible in Fig.5C. One ammunition 40x1 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 is visible in the lower path 25 and has moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5B.

In Fig.5D, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD and only one first type of ammunition 40a1 is in the transfer unit 17 whereas the first type ammunition 40a2 is almost in the upper path 24, whereas the first type of ammunition 40a3,40a4 in the upper path 24 have moved further away from the transfer unit 17. The first type ammunition numbered 40a2 is guided against the surface of the one-way gate 19 towards the upper path 24. One ammunition 40x1 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 is visible in the lower path 25 and has moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5C.

In Fig.5E, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD and the transfer unit 17 has been emptied for first type of ammunition 40a1-40a5. All of the first type ammunition 40a1-40a5 are in the upper path 24. In Fig.5E, all first type of ammunition 40a1-40a5 have been emptied from the transfer unit 17 and it is sufficient space and thus possible to receive the second type of ammunition 40x1-40x3 in the upper path 24. The first type ammunition numbered 40a1 is guided against the surface of the one-way gate 19 towards the upper path 24. Two ammunition 40x1,40x2 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 are visible in the lower path 25 and have moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5D.

In Fig.5F, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD. All of the first type ammunition 40a1-40a5 are in the upper path 24 and have moved further away from the transfer unit 17 compared to Fig.5E. Two ammunition 40x1,40x2 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 are visible in the lower path 25 and have moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5D. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 abuts against the one-way gate 19 from below.

In Fig.5G, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD. All of the first type ammunition 40a1-40a5 are in the upper path 24 and have moved further away from the transfer unit 17 compared to Fig.5F. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 is on the way of passing through the one-way gate 19 from below. Two ammunition 40x2,40x3 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 are visible in the lower path 25 and have moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5F.

In Fig.5H, the motor 12 still operates in reverse direction RD. All of the first type ammunition 40a1-40a5 are in the upper path 24 and have moved further away from the transfer unit 17 compared to Fig.5F. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 has passed through the one-way gate 19 from below and the one-way gate 19 has returned to its neutral position. Two ammunition 40x2,40x3 of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 are visible in the lower path 25 and have moved closer to the one-way gate 19 compared to Fig.5F. The second type ammunition numbered 40x2 abuts against the oneway gate 19 from below.

In Fig.5I, the motor 12 is operated in the feeding direction FD. This is illustrated in that the second type ammunition numbered 40x1 is closer to the transfer unit 17 compared to Fig. 5H as well as the second type ammunition numbered 40x2 which abutted against the one-way gate 19 in Fig.5H has moved away from the one-way gate 19. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 is guided against the upper surface of the one-way gate 19 towards the transfer unit 17.

In Fig.5J, the motor 12 is operated in the feeding direction FD. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 is about to enter the transfer unit 17. The second type ammunition numbered 40x2 has moved further away from the one-way gate 19.

In Fig.5K, the motor 12 is operated in the feeding direction FD. The second type ammunition numbered 40x1 has entered the transfer unit 17. The second type ammunitions numbered 40x2,40x3 has moved further away from the one-way gate 19. The first type ammunitions numbered 40a1,40a2 are moved towards the transfer unit 17 and follows the second type ammunition numbered 40x1. Further referring to Fig.5K, it is seen that the separation pins 14 forming “empty” single ammunition positions are allowed to pass through the one-way gate 19.

In Fig.5L the motor 12 is operated in the feeding direction FD. The first type of ammunition numbered 40a1 is about to enter the transfer unit 17. The second type ammunitions numbered 40x2,40x3 has moved further away from the one-way gate 19. The first type ammunitions numbered 40a1 are moved towards the transfer unit 17 and follows the second type ammunition numbered 40x1. The motor 12 can now be rotated until the second type ammunition numbered 40x1 is in the receiving opening 2 of the weapon. Then the override actuator 30 is turned off via the control system 50 such that the weapon motor 4 (not shown in Figs.5A-5L, see e.g. Fig.1B) operates the linkless ammunition magazine 11 and moves ammunition 40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3 towards the weapon 1.

It is clear that although Figs.5A-5L show that only one ammunition of the second type ammunition 40x1 replaces the first type ammunition 40a1 closest to the receiving opening 2 of the weapon 1, it is clear that more ammunition of the second ammunition 40x1-40x3 could replace the first type ammunition 40a1. This can be done by driving the motor 12 in the reverse direction RD for a longer time such that more of the second type ammunition 40x1-40x3 is allowed to pass through the one-way gate 19 from below.

In the preceding description, various aspects of the ammunition supply system and weapon system according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the submersible system, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

List of references:

Claims

1. An ammunition supply system (10) for a weapon (1), the system comprising: - a linkless ammunition magazine (11) with single ammunition positions (13,13’,13’’), wherein the linkless ammunition magazine (11) is connectable to an ammunition receiving opening (2) of the weapon (1);

- an override actuator (30) connectable to an override interface (3) of the weapon (1);

- a motor (12) for moving ammunition (40) inside the linkless ammunition magazine (11);

- a control system (50) for controlling the override actuator (30) and the motor (12); wherein the ammunition supply system (10) is configured to be in the following states:

- a weapon firing state, in which the override actuator (30) is turned off thereby allowing the ammunition (40) to move from the linkless ammunition magazine (11) towards the weapon (1); and

- an ammunition moving state, in which the override actuator (30) is turned on thereby allowing the motor (12) to move ammunition (40) inside the linkless ammunition magazine (11).

2. The ammunition supply system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the linkless ammunition magazine (11) comprises:

- a main storage unit (15) with a rotatable endless chain (16) comprising a plurality of spaced apart separation pins (14) defining the single ammunition positions (13,13’,13’’), wherein the single ammunition positions (13,13’,13’’) follow any movement of the chain (16), and wherein the motor (12) is configured to operate the chain (16); and

- a transfer unit (17) connected to the main storage unit (15) for transferring ammunition (40) between the main storage unit (15) and the ammunition receiving opening (2) of the weapon (1).

3. The ammunition supply system (10) according to claim 2, wherein, when in the ammunition moving state, ammunition (40) is moved from the transfer unit (17) to the main storage unit (15).

4. The ammunition supply system (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, when in the ammunition moving state, ammunition is moved internally within the main storage unit (15).

5. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 2-4, wherein, when in the weapon firing state, the chain (16) is rotated in a feeding direction (FD), and, when in the ammunition moving state, ammunition is moved in at least a reverse direction (RD) opposite of the feeding direction (FD).

6. The ammunition supply system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the control system (50) comprises an indexing system, wherein each single ammunition position (13,13’,13’’) in the linkless ammunition magazine (11) is defined with a position identificator and a type of ammunition (40,40a1-a5,40x1-x3) for each position identificator.

7. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 2-6, further comprising an access port (18) for inserting ammunition (40) into the main storage unit (15) and for retrieving ammunition (40) out from the main storage unit (15).

8. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 2-7, wherein the control system comprises a sensor (23) for sensing the type of ammunition (40) at the single ammunition position (13,13’,13’’) within the main storage unit (15), wherein the type of ammunition (40) sensed by the sensor (23) is stored as the type of ammunition (40) for that position identificator.

9. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 2-8, wherein the main storage unit (15) comprises a one-way gate (19) preventing passing of ammunition (40) in the feeding direction (FD) and allowing passing of ammunition (40) in a reverse direction (RD), wherein the reverse direction (RD) is opposite the feeding direction (FD).

10. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 2-9, wherein the transfer unit (17) comprises star wheels (20, 20’, 20’’) for guiding ammunition (40) between the main storage unit (15) and the ammunition receiving opening (2) of the weapon (1).

11. The ammunition supply system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the star wheels (20,20’20’’’) are rotatably connected to the endless chain (16).

12. The ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor (12) is a servomotor (12).

13. Weapon system (100) comprising:

- an electrically powered weapon (1), the weapon (1) comprising an ammunit ion receiving opening (2) and an override interface (3);

- an ammunition supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the linkless ammunition magazine (11) is connected to the ammunition receiving opening (2) and wherein the override actuator (30) is connected to the override interface (3).

14. The weapon system according to claim 13, wherein the weapon (1) comprises a weapon motor (4) connected to the control system (50), and wherein, when in the weapon firing state, the ammunition (40) is moved in the feeding direction (FD) by means of the weapon motor (4).