Modular weapon station system
AssigneeMerrill Aviation, Inc.
InventorJames C. Hobson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular weapon station includes a rotatable frame adapted to be mounted on a platform and is configured to have a removable cradle with a weapon mounted thereon. The rotatable frame may also include a removable ammunition feed chute, an optical sighting unit, and azimuth and elevation drives. The modular weapon station may also include a rotatable drum and ammunition loading assembly coupled with the rotatable frame assembly. The rotatable drum and ammunition loading assembly may be located in an under armor position such that an operator may replenish ammunition from an under armor position and not be subjected to hostile fire while replenishing ammunition. Belted ammunition rounds may travel along an ammunition feed path stemming from the loading assembly within the rotatable drum to a selected weapon.
Claims9
A modular weapon station mountable on a platform and adapted to secure a weapon for firing, comprising:
- a rotatable frame;
- a rotatable drum coupled with and rotatable with said rotatable frame, said rotatable drum configured with a side wall opening which is accessible from an under armor position such that a plurality of ammunition rounds may be replenished from said under armor position;
- an ammunition tray mounted within said rotatable drum, said ammunition tray configured to be pivoted into the side wall opening for ease of replenishing ammunition;
- an ammunition feed path stemming from said rotatable drum to said weapon;
- a plurality of ammunition feeds disposed along said ammunition feed path, at least one of said ammunition feeds configured to aid in the transport of said plurality of ammunition rounds from said under armor position to said weapon;
- and
- a stationary drum substantially enclosing said rotatable drum, said stationary drum equipped with at least one access door configured to be operable by a latch, said latch operable by one hand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.