SBIR-STTR Award

The army's latest upgrade to the 155mm selfpropelled howitzer has a hydraulic projectile loader assist system which has not proved ideal in a battlefield environment. This proposal addresses the conceptual development of an improved electric-powered semi-automatic breech loader which will load bag charges for current configuration self-propelled howitzers. The breech loader will also automatically load a wide variety of projectiles, including the army's developmental uni-charge modules, in future self-propelled howitzers. Odetics proposes to conceptually design this system and to construct a kinematic model of the design to very its dyanamic functionality.

Odetics proposes to design, build, deliver and support army live fire demonstration of a prototypical autoloader system for future 155 mm sp howitzers. Based on results from prior and ongoing sbir and non-sbir contracts with ardec as well as from irad programs, odetics has successfully concepted and analyzed an innovative autoloader system which can meet or exceed all performance requirements for the advanced field artillery system (afas). The autoloader's major mechanical subsystems include a storage magazine which utilizes passive, horizontal storage for projectile and propellant; two unique transfer mechanisms which achieve high speed, parallel transference of rounds from the storage magazine to the breech; and a rammer which effectively lodges the munition in the gun breech. Other subsystems include controller, operator station, computer programs and power supply.