US12467710 - Self-propelled gun system
A self-propelled gun system ( 10 ) comprising a chassis ( 200 ) to which is mounted a gun barrel ( 300 ) having a gun barrel axis ( 302 ). The system also has a chassis suspension system ( 400 ) comprising a first wheel arm ( 402 ) extending away from the chassis ( 200 ) to a first wheel ( 404 ), the first wheel ( 404 ) being rotatably mounted on the first wheel arm ( 402 ), the first wheel ( 404 ) configured for engagement with, and travelling along, a support surface ( 500 ) to support the chassis ( 200 ) a distance (Dz) apart from the support surface ( 500 ). There is also provided a recoil mitigation system ( 900 ) comprising a recoil support leg ( 902 ) which extends away from the chassis ( 200 ) to a foot end ( 904 ), the foot end ( 904 ) operable to engage with the support surface ( 500 ) during firing of a projectile ( 340 ) from the gun barrel ( 300 ). The foot end ( 904 ) of the recoil support leg ( 902 ) is operable to be spaced apart from the support surface ( 500 ) when the gun system ( 10 ) is in transit. The recoil support leg ( 902 ) is configured to react against recoil force (Fr) in the z-axis from the firing of a projectile ( 340 ) from the gun barrel ( 300 ). The recoil mitigation system ( 900 ) further comprising a wheel brake control device ( 600 ) configured for applying a braking force to the chassis first wheel ( 404 ) after the firing of a projectile ( 340 ) from the gun barrel ( 300 ) and after the rotatable first wheel ( 404 ) has started rotating along the support surface ( 500 ) in response to the firing of a projectile ( 340 ) from the gun barrel ( 300 ).