IP Library Granted Patent US 11,940,236
Granted Patent B2
US 11,940,236 · App. 17/419,304 · Granted Mar 26, 2024

Stealth vehicle with integrated fast deployment weapon system

Inventors: Philippe Bolen (Angleur, BE); Fabian Corona (Retinne, BE)
Assignee: JOHN COCKERILL DEFENSE SA
F41A23/20F41H7/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,940,236
App. No.
17/419,304
Granted
Mar 26, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An armored land vehicle includes: a roof delimited by an opening containing a recess; a retractable weapon system to be deployed automatically between a first retracted position located inside the vehicle in the recess of the roof and a second deployed and operational position located outside the vehicle; an automatic mechanism to ensure, during use, a movement of the weapon system between the first and second positions; and an armored cap secured to the weapon system to cover the recess by forming a junction between an outer contour of the cap and a periphery of the opening of the roof with a perfect fit and in an extension of the roof surface, when the weapon system is in the first position. The weapon system includes at least one weapon with a caliber of up to 40 mm. The opening containing the recess is fitted or related to weapon system dimensions.

Claims (18)

1. An armored land vehicle, comprising:

a roof delimited by an opening containing a recess;

a retractable weapon system configured to be deployed automatically between a first retracted position located inside the vehicle in the recess of the roof and a second deployed and operational position located outside the vehicle;

an automatic mechanism configured to ensure, during use, a movement of the weapon system between the first and second positions;

an armored cap secured to the weapon system configured to cover the recess by forming a junction between an outer contour of the armored cap and a periphery of the opening of the roof with a perfect fit and as an extension of the roof surface, when the weapon system is in the first position; and

an ammunition supply rail located within the recess of the roof so as to supply the weapon system from inside the vehicle, the rail remaining within the recess in both the first and second positions of the weapons system,

wherein the weapon system comprises at least one weapon with a caliber of up to 40 mm, the at least one weapon comprising a barrel, such that, in the first position, the barrel is positioned forward with respect to the vehicle and a width of the at least one weapon is larger at a back of the at least one weapon than at a front of the at least one weapon,

wherein the opening containing the recess is fitted or related to dimensions of the weapon system and the armored cap, the armored cap being adapted to the dimensions of the weapon system so as to have a smallest possible surface area, the armored cap having a width larger at a back thereof than at a front thereof with respect to the vehicle, the armored cap being perfectly inserted into a remainder of the roof without overlap in the first position so as to ensure continuity of the roof surface,

wherein the weapon system is installed on a weapon support, the weapon support being mounted pivotably with the weapon system by a rolling bearing,

wherein the weapon support is mounted so as to be pivotable 360° about a vertical axis,

wherein a closing of the recess by the armored cap creates a sealed space containing the weapon system, the sealed space being ensured by at least one seal, and

wherein the armored cap comprises a protective shell completely surrounding at least a part of the weapon system.

2. The armored land vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the armored cap completely covers the recess in an upper part of a shell of the vehicle.

3. The armored land vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the armored cap covers only an upper part of the weapon system.

4. The armored land vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the automatic mechanism comprises at least one jack.

5. The armored land vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

an inner hatch below the recess of the roof so as to allow access to the weapon system from inside the vehicle.

6. The armored land vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the armored land vehicle comprises a military vehicle.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 19, 2021
From: CMI DEFENCE S.A.
To: JOHN COCKERILL DEFENSE SA
Reel/Frame 057222/0768 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2021
From: BOLEN, PHILIPPE; CORONA, FABIAN
To: CMI DEFENCE S.A.
Reel/Frame 056695/0314 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 19158468 · Feb 21, 2019 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220074696A1 · Mar 10, 2022