Chinese version: a shooting device for UAVs
An experimental firing device on a stand. Photo by SCMP
Various options for equipping unmanned aerial vehicles with small arms are regularly proposed. weapons. The weapons used are existing types, which have their own characteristics and limitations, and therefore the result does not always meet expectations. Recently, China tried to develop an original firing device, originally intended for use on UAVs and having the corresponding characteristics.
Pilot project
Once again, the Hong Kong publication South China Morning Post reported on an interesting and unusual development by Chinese scientists and designers. It revealed the very fact of the existence of an unusual experimental project, named its authors and published some technical information. They also showed the development itself.
It is reported that the original shooting device for the UAV was created at the North University of China. The authors of the project were specialists from the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of the university under the leadership of Professor Liu Pengzhan.
The authors of the project studied the issue of equipping UAVs with small arms and analyzed existing models. They identified the reasons why such systems do not always meet expectations, and based on this information, they developed their own unique project.
According to SCMP, the research and design stages have been successfully completed. A prototype of the rifle-type firing device and ammunition for it have also been manufactured. They are currently being tested in laboratory conditions and demonstrating the general principles of operation, as well as determining the actual characteristics and potential of the design.
If the current work is successful, we can expect the appearance of a full-fledged prototype suitable for installation on UAV- carrier. This product will be able to demonstrate its potential in practice and, perhaps, even interest a potential customer.
However, the real prospects of the Northern University project are still in question. They directly depend on the current trials and tests. How soon this stage will be completed is not yet reported.
Close-up of cartridges. Photo by SCMP
Bench sample
During the research stage, Liu Pengzhan's team identified key shortcomings of existing projects for installing weapons on UAVs. The main problem was considered to be recoil when firing. A fairly powerful impulse affects the aerial platform and can disrupt its hovering or horizontal flight. Violation of the UAV's stability spoils the accuracy of fire and can lead to more serious consequences.
To solve this problem, specialists from the School of Mechanics and Electrical Engineering decided to create a special firing device that would minimize or completely eliminate recoil. This task was solved using well-known and proven ideas. However, they still had to be modified to meet the requirements for the future product.
In essence, it is a recoilless system in which part of the propellant gases is ejected through a nozzle in the breech. In this regard, it was necessary to design the entire firing device from scratch, as well as develop suitable ammunition for it.
The laboratory model of the firing device has a relatively simple design. Its main elements are a 7,62 mm caliber barrel of great length, as well as a cylindrical breech. In the published photo, you can see that the device is mounted on a machine and supplemented with some auxiliary components.
The design of the locking unit remains unknown, but it can be assumed that it is not complicated. The bolt has a longitudinal channel with a nozzle for removing powder gases. Reloading and automatic mechanisms are absent and not required in this device.
There is no trigger mechanism as such. Instead, an electromagnetic ignition system is used. An induction coil is built into the chamber, which initiates the ignition of the gunpowder in the cartridge.
Tech oddity — a drone with a pistol from SIG Sauer. Photo by The Warzone
An original cartridge has been developed for the "rifle". It has a cylindrical sleeve without a rim, probably made of a combustible material. Inside it is a powder charge and a metal spiral igniter. The traditional primer is missing, and instead of the base, a membrane of the required strength is used. The bullet is borrowed from the 7,62x39 mm cartridge. It is recessed inside the sleeve and practically does not protrude from the muzzle.
Achieved characteristics
The operating principle of the drone "rifle," as it stands today, is fairly simple. A round of ammunition is manually loaded into the chamber and the barrel is locked. An electrical fire control system then sends a pulse to an induction coil, which causes a coil inside the cartridge to ignite the propellant.
Under the pressure of the powder gases, the bullet moves along the barrel and is directed towards the target. At the same time, the gases break through the membrane-bottom of the cartridge case and exit through the nozzle of the breech. This creates a thrust that compensates for a significant part of the recoil impulse.
This system is reported to successfully absorb almost all recoil. When fired, the experimental device moves back only 18-20 mm. Thus, the "rifle" should not have a significant impact on the flight of the carrier drone.
Perhaps this design will be developed in the future. The firing device may receive a full-fledged ammunition supply system for single or burst firing, a more advanced control and ignition system, and other components. It is also possible to try to adapt this product for use on various carriers, which will require appropriate suspension systems, guidance, etc.
At the level of experiments
The idea of equipping UAVs with small arms is quite popular, and new examples of this kind are regularly demonstrated. They are based on available drones-copters with sufficient load capacity and are equipped with existing machine guns, rifles, etc. More daring projects are also proposed, which use grenade launchers or other similar weapons.
Such developments attract attention, but usually do not develop and remain at the level of isolated technical curiosities. The reasons for this are quite simple and clear. Despite all the apparent advantages, such "unmanned strike systems" have a number of disadvantages. These include low accuracy, which is further worsened by recoil, questionable combat qualities, etc.
Testing of the Russian UAV "Perun" with an ATGM on board. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
Specialists from the North University of China decided to focus on eliminating one of the main problems - recoil, which significantly worsens the overall firing characteristics. They managed to create an experimental model of a "rifle" with fairly high characteristics, as well as confirm the calculated indicators.
However, for now we are only talking about a prototype for bench tests. Apparently, the device is not yet ready for testing on an unmanned platform. In addition, the single-charge system is far from possible use in practice.
However, already at this stage, it is possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new Chinese development and assess its chances of being brought to a logical conclusion. The advantages of such a shooting device include an extremely low recoil impulse and all the possibilities it opens up. In addition, the proposed design has great potential for modernization and scaling.
High performance is achieved by using an original cartridge. A UAV with a "rifle" will not be able to use a bulk cartridge and will require the production of a separate ammunition. All this can create problems in the production and logistics line.
In addition, the very need to equip UAVs with firing devices raises questions. Drones are capable of carrying other types of combat loads, such as grenades or other ammunition, and with their help demonstrate high combat qualities. At the same time, turning a copter into an ultra-light bomber does not require special means and is not difficult.
With unclear prospects
Thus, Chinese scientists and designers tried to implement a long-known and curious idea, and they approached the issue with all seriousness. They conducted research, determined the direction of work and created an experimental sample for laboratory tests.
Perhaps the project will now be developed, and in the near future the Northern University will present a full-fledged shooting device for mounting on a UAV. Whether the project will be brought to this point is still unknown. However, even in its current form, the presented sample is of technical interest.
Information