120mm Compact Automatic Magazine (Раздаточные материалы для проекта и полезности)

Meggitt Defense Systems120mm Compact Automatic MagazineThe technical breakthrough required for practical,safe and fast automatic loading of a main battletank cannon is here. Meggitt Defense Systems’patented 120mm Compact Automatic “leapahead-technology” Magazine allows thirty-fourpowered, moveable rounds of ammunition to beinstantly and automatically accessible and reside inthe same volume in which thirty-four stationaryrounds were previously stored.Using the M1 Abrams turret bustle as a baseline,the 120mm Compact Automatic Magazinemaintains the same level of anti-fratricideprotection for the rounds, retains the upwardventing, pressure relief blow-off panels for crewand vehicle survivability, and brings the chosenround to the loader as opposed to the loadersearching stationary racks for the right type ofround. No transfer of ammunition is necessarybetween reserve and ready magazine segments asall of the rounds in the automatic magazine areready rounds.The large and complex sliding blast doors that sealthe bustle from the crew compartments are nolonger required.

Rather, the bustle is isolated fromthe crew by a solid armor bulkhead, penetratedonly by a small blast port less than one tenth thesize of the doors. This trade-off reduces the weightof the weapon station by over four hundred poundswhile retaining the same number of rounds.The virtual memory of the control system retainsthe inventory of ammunition types and locations asthey are loaded into the magazine. When thegunner selects ammunition type with his switch onthe turret control yoke, the desired round travels tothe blast port where a crewman or a robotic loadercan easily, quickly and safely make the transferfrom the magazine to the gun.The double row of ammunition canisters is poweredby a pair of electric or hydraulic motors housed inthe isogrid of the magazine chassis.

A firing rate ofup to fifteen rounds per minute can be supported bythis drive system. In the event of a vehicular powerfailure or drive system problem, manual back-upfor the system is provided through the use of adetachable hand crank that advances the magazineat a reduced rate.The 120mm Compact Automatic Magazine,designed, developed and built by Meggitt DefenseSystems, can be used as a stand-aloneimprovement to the lethality of main battle tanks. Italso forms the foundation of the 120mm CompactAutoloader System.120mm Compact Automatic MagazineSpecifications• 34 round 120mm ammunition capacity• 15 spm access rate• 944 lbs. total system empty weight• 37.3 cubic ft. Volume• Redundant dual electric motor drive system• Retains ammunition type and location inmemory• Stores both KE and HE type roundsAutomatic Magazine on Test Stand• Incorporates anti-fratricide provisions68.3025.9444.50Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc.9801 Muirlands Blvd.IrvineCalifornia92618United StatesTel: 949 465 7700Fax: 949 465 9560www.meggittdefense.com.