Spinner mounted gun system
A spinner mounted gun system includes a receiver and a barrel connected to a mast of a rotorcraft.
1. A gun system, comprising a weapon connected to a mast of a rotorcraft, the weapon comprising a receiver and a barrel, wherein the weapon rotates with the mast.
2. The gun system of claim 1 , wherein the barrel is generally coaxially aligned with the mast.
3. The gun system of claim 1 , wherein the weapon is connected to the mast by a motorized mount configured to articulate the barrel.
4. The gun system of claim 1 , further comprising a magazine with cartridges located between the receiver and rotating controls, wherein the rotating controls comprise a hub.
5. The gun system of claim 1 , further comprising a floor located between the receiver and rotating controls, wherein the rotating controls comprise a hub; and
a chute extending, in an inboard direction, from an opening in the floor to a terminal end.
6. The gun system of claim 5 , wherein the terminal end is closed.
7. The gun system of claim 5 , further comprising a magazine with cartridges located between the receiver and the rotating controls.
8. The gun system of claim 5 , wherein the barrel is connected to the mast by a motorized mount configured to articulate the barrel.
9. The gun system of claim 5 , further comprising a magazine with cartridges located between the receiver and the rotating controls, wherein the barrel, the receiver, and the floor rotate with the mast.
10. A rotorcraft, comprising:
a rotating system including rotor blades connected to a mast through a hub; and
a weapon connected to the mast, the weapon comprising a receiver and a barrel, wherein the weapon rotates with the mast.
11. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , further comprising a magazine with cartridges located in the rotating system and operationally connected to the receiver.
12. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , wherein the weapon is connected to the mast by a motorized mount configured to articulate the barrel.
13. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , further comprising a spinner connected with the mast;
a floor located in the spinner between the receiver and rotation controls, wherein the rotating controls comprise the hub; and
a chute extending, in an inboard direction, from an opening in the floor to a terminal end.
14. The rotorcraft of claim 13 , wherein the terminal end is closed.
15. The rotorcraft of claim 10 , further comprising a spinner connected with the mast;
a floor located in the spinner between the receiver and the rotor blades;
a chute extending, in an inboard direction, from an opening in the floor to a terminal end; and
a magazine with cartridges located in the rotating section and operationally connected to the receiver.
16. The rotorcraft of claim 15 , wherein the cartridges are connected in a belt arranged in a serpentine configuration.
17. A method, comprising:
flying a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a propulsion system having an engine coupled to rotor blades through a mast, and a weapon comprising a receiver and a barrel connected to the mast; and
firing the weapon while flying the tiltrotor aircraft, wherein the weapon rotates with the mast.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving spent cartridges ejected from the weapon in a chute, wherein the chute extends, in an inboard direction, from an opening in a floor located between the receiver and rotating controls, wherein the rotating controls comprise a hub.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the floor is positioned inside a spinner connected to the mast.