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An apparatus and method relating to a cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired from a firing device. Under one aspect of the invention, a cased telescoped ammunition assembly includes a combustible case body and noncombustible end caps connected to opposing ends of the case body.

An apparatus and method relating to a cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired from a firing device. Under one aspect of the invention, a cased telescoped ammunition assembly includes a combustible case body and noncombustible end caps connected to opposing ends of the case body. The case body is configured to be substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired. An internal support structure is positioned in the interior portion of the case body and connected to the end caps. The internal support structure and the end caps define a load-bearing unit that provides a load path substantially independent of the case body. The load-bearing unit is configured to react external loads, such that the combustible case body is substantially isolated from and does not react the external loads.

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1. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and a

1. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression and bending, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal support structure and the first and second end caps are ejectable as a spent unit from a firing device after the ammunition assembly is fired and the combustible case body is consumed in combustion.3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first seal connected to one of the first and second end caps and being radially expandable relative to the case body.4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second seal connected to the other of the first and second end caps and being radially expandable relative to the case body.5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a projectile in the interior portion, and wherein the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve connected to the first end cap and releasably engaging a leading portion of the projectile.6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a projectile in the interior portion, and wherein the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve concentrically disposed between the combustible case body and the projectile.7. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending, the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve connected to the first end cap and a plurality of support rods extending between the guide sleeve and the second end cap. 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the combustible case body is constructed of a resinated molded fiber composite with an integral energetic component in the form of nitrocellulose fibers.9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second end caps and the internal support structure define a load-bearing assembly that is elastically movable between a pre-fired condition and an axially expanded firing position, the load-bearing assembly configured to substantially return to the pre-fired condition after the ammunition assembly is fired.10. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending, the internal support structure includes a plurality of elongated support rods attached directly to at least one of the first and second end caps. 11. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending, the internal support structure includes a plurality of tensile coupons. 12. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and being configured to be consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; a propellant in the interior portion of the combustible case body; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load-bearing assembly forming a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and the propellant, the load-bearing assembly being sized so the combustible case body can move axially relative thereto, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly. 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the load-bearing assembly defines a unitary structure ejectable from a firing device after the combustible case body is consumed in combustion.14. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a seal connected to one of the first and second end caps and being radially expandable relative to the combustible case body.15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a projectile in the interior portion, and wherein the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve concentrically disposed between the projectile and the combustible case body.16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the combustible case body is constructed of a resinated molded fiber composite with an integral energetic component.17. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the internal support structure includes a plurality of elongated support rods attached directly to at least one of the first and second end caps.18. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the internal support structure includes a plurality of tensile coupons.19. An ammunition firing system, comprising:a firing device having a barrel; and a cased telescoped ammunition assembly sized to be loaded into the firing device and fired, the cased telescoped ammunition assembly comprising: a projectile sized to be fired through the barrel; a combustible case body containing the projectile and being configured to be consumed in combustion when the cased telescoped ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to opposing ends of the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in an interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load-bearing assembly forming a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body, the load-bearing assembly configured to react external loads and to substantially isolate the case body from the external loads, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly, the internal support structure and the first and second end caps define an ejectable spent unit after the combustible case body is consumed. 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a first seal connected to one of the first and second end caps and being radially expandable into sealable engagement with the firing device when the cased telescoped ammunition assembly is fired.21. The system of claim 19, further comprising a second seal connected to the other of the first and second end caps and being radially expandable into sealable engagement with the firing device when the cased telescoped ammunition round is fired.22. The system of claim 19 wherein the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve connected to the first end cap and concentrically disposed between the projectile and the combustible case body.23. An ammunition firing system, comprising:a firing device having a barrel; and a cased telescoped ammunition assembly sized to be loaded into the firing device and fired, the cased telescoped ammunition assembly comprising: a projectile sized to be fired through the barrel; a combustible case body containing the projectile and being configured to be consumed in combustion when the cased telescoped ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to opposing ends of the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in an interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load-bearing assembly forming a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body, the load-bearing assembly configured to react external loads and to substantially isolate the case body from the external loads, the internal support structure and the first and second end caps define an ejectable spent unit after the combustible case body is consumed, the internal support structure includes a guide sleeve connected to the first end cap and a plurality of elongated support rods extending between the guide sleeve and the second end cap. 24. The system of claim 19 wherein the combustible case body is constructed of a resinated molded fiber composite with an integral energetic component.25. The system of claim 19 wherein the load-bearing member is elastically deformable during the firing of the cased telescoped ammunition assembly.26. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly, comprising:a first end member; an ignition device connected to the first end member; a combustible case body coupled to the first end member; a propellant contained in the combustible case body adjacent to the ignition device; a second end member coupled to the combustible case body assembly opposite the first end member; an internal support structure interconnecting the first and second end members, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly, and the combustible case body being axially movable relative to the first and second end members and the support structure; and a projectile contained in the combustible case body. 27. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired in a firing device and being subjectable to external operational loads in tension and compression, comprising:a combustible case body having first and second end portions and defining an interior portion, the combustible case body being configured to be substantially consumed when the ammunition assembly is fired; a first end cap attached to the first end portion of the combustible case body; a second end cap attached to the second end portion of the combustible case body; a plurality of structural elements within the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to form a noncombustible load-bearing structure that defines a load path configured to react the external operational loads independent of the combustible case body, the noncombustible load-bearing structure configured to be ejected from the firing device as a unit after the combustible case body is consumed; an ignition device connected to the second end cap and extending into interior area; a propellant contained in the interior area; a projectile contained in the case body and configured to be fired through the first end cap; and a seal connected to one of the first and second end caps and configured to expand radially to sealably engage the firing device when the ammunition round is fired and while the combustible case body is consumed. 28. A method of firing a cased telescoped ammunition assembly, comprising:loading an ammunition assembly into a breech of a firing device, the ammunition assembly including: a combustible case body; a projectile contained in the case body; a propellant contained in the case body; first and second end caps connected to the case body; and an internal support structure interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load-bearing assembly in the case body that forms a load path substantially independent of the case body; reacting a compression load by the load-bearing assembly along the load path while substantially isolating the case body from the compression load on the case body; igniting the propellant to create combustion in the ammunition assembly; consuming the propellant and the case body substantially fully in combustion; propelling the projectile into the barrel with the load-bearing assembly remaining in the breech as a spent unit after the propellant and the case body are consumed; and ejecting the spent unit from the breech after the projectile has been propelled into the barrel. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the ammunition assembly is a first ammunition assembly, and ejecting the spent unit includes opening the breech, inserting a second ammunition assembly into the breech while the spent unit is in the breech, and forcing the spent unit out of the breech with the second ammunition assembly.30. The method of claim 29 wherein ejecting the spent unit includes exerting a compression load on the second ammunition assembly when the second ammunition assembly forces the spent unit out of the breech.31. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming a seal between the ammunition assembly and the breach when the propellant is ignited.32. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps connected to the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly. 33. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps coupled to the combustible case body and being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending. 34. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body defining an interior portion and made of a material substantially consumed in combustion when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps adjacent to opposing ends of the combustible case body and being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly; a propellant contained in the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the interior portion of the combustible case body and interconnecting the first and second end caps to define a load path substantially independent of the combustible case body and configured to react external loads in tension, compression, and bending. 35. A cased telescoped ammunition assembly configured to be fired, comprising:a combustible case body made of a material consumed when the ammunition assembly is fired; first and second end caps adjacent to opposing ends of the combustible case body; a propellant contained in the combustible case body; and an internal support structure in the combustible case body and connected to the first and second end caps to define a load path within the combustible case that reacts external loads in tension, compression, and bending, the internal support structure being non-combustible during firing of the ammunition assembly.