Patent ID: 8061259
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: F41A

Abstract:
1. A field howitzer comprising: i) a chassis, ii) a howitzer barrel mounted on the chassis so as to be displaceable from a first to a second position with respect to the chassis, as a consequence of recoil on firing, wherein the barrel is supported in a trunnion support structure by means of a cradle and the cradle is constructed from hollow members, iii) a recoil buffer system to absorb the energy of recoil as the barrel is displaced on firing, and iv) a recuperator system to return the displaced barrel from the second position to the first position, said recoil buffer system and said recuperator system being combined and utilizing a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement, the space inside said hollow members being used, wholly, or in part, to provide the volume for compressed inert gas forming part of said hydraulic accumulator arrangement.