Propellant charge component for use with a projectile (4) for muzzle-loaded weapons. The propellant charge component (5) and the projectile (4) are each capable of being loaded into the weapon separately. The propellant charge component (5) is provided with a piston (14) which is capable under the effect of gases from the propellant charge component (5) of being separated from the propellant charge component (5) in the direction of firing of the projectile until it comes up against a stop organ (17) arranged on the propellant charge component (5), whereby the impact against the stop will impart kinetic energy to the propellant charge component (5) causing it to be ejected from the weapon.
A device in a launch unit for a mortar projectile (4), where the launch unit (6) has a propellant charge (10) capable of generating propellant gas for launching the projectile from the barrel (1) of the mortar, the launch unit being designed to be placed in a loading position behind the projectile. The launch unit has an enlarged cross surface (20a) in the barrel against the pressure from the propellant gas, the enlarged cross surface creating an expulsion force on the launch unit. The cross surface is in the form of wing elements (20a) arranged crosswise in the front portion of the launch unit (6) and being bendable in proportion to the magnitude of the propellant gas pressure in order to accomplish a self-regulation of the expulsion velocity of the launch unit.
Shell for trench mortars and similar firing systems, which shell includes an effective portion, which can be fired from a barrel by a propellant charge, there being a pressure plate provided between the effective portion and the propellant charge, which pressure plate carries the influence from the propellant charge. To provide effective fire above the ground a support portion is releasably arranged in front of the effective portion in the firing direction. The support portion carries a second propellant charge and in its front end a percussion cap, which, when the shell is fired, is located partly exposed outside the front end of the support portion and initiates the second propellant charge when hitting ground. The second propellant charge is located between the support portion and the effective portion in such a manner, that when the second propellant charge is detonated the effective portion is shot away from the support portion and simultaneously the effective charge of the effective portion is initiated with delay.
A method for accelerating projectiles comprises introducing the projectile into an accelerator barrel, feeding a combustible gas mixture into said barrel and igniting said mixture to accelerate the projectile, and is characterized in that a fluid is stored in the projectile and is ejected therefrom into the space between the projectile and the barrel. Suitable accelerator systems are disclosed.
