Search

The influence of pitch (vertical yaw) angle on the penetration reduction of rod projectiles into oblique targets has been investigated for tungsten sinter alloy rods with a blunt nose and LID = 20. Semi-infinite RHA targets with an obliquity of 30 deg, 45 deg, and 60 deg were impacted at 1650 mis. The pitch angles were varied between ±90 deg. The strong asymmetric behavior of the target crater is dependent on whether the pitch is positive or negative relative to the obliquity of the target. The experiments provide a good overview of the penetration characteristics of long rods for the whole pitch angle range. The penetration data are described by empirical relations that show good agreement with the experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\As modern helmets have become quite capable of defeating the penetration capabilities of ballistic threats, Soldiers may experience head injuries due to blunt trauma caused by helmet back face deformation (BFD). Possible resulting injuries include skull fracture, hematoma, concussion, contusion, diffuse axonal injury, etc. Some of these injuries have been associated with traumatic brain injury. In order to assess potential injury mechanisms prior to fielding new helmets, we have developed a means to experimentally replicate and measure helmet BFD that can be correlated to injury criteria. In this study, helmet performance test methodology is developed using a digital image correlation (DIC) technique. DIC provides the capability to measure dynamic displacements, thereby providing the ability to calculate deformation, velocity, and acceleration rates. We have shown that digital image correlation is an experimentation technique that accurately captures BFD area and rate of deformation for impacts against combat helmets. We used the DIC data to calculate a new metric; the available energy that could potentially impact a Soldier's head. Our study shows that DIC data upholds the hypothesis that helmet BFD mechanically loads the skull similar to a direct impact from a less-than-lethal projectile or blunt object impact. The available energy obtained from DIC measurements was used to calculate the blunt criterion (BC) for helmet standoff distances of 12.7 mm (0.5 in) and 19.1 mm (0.75 in), which in turn can provide a prediction of the probability of abbreviated injury scale (AIS) levels and, in particular, skull fracture. DIC can be used to provide dynamic helmet performance data that will allow increased understanding of BFD and quantitative assessment and validation of helmet performance results. Knowledge of the conditions leading to head trauma obtained through DIC experimentation should enable the selection of new energy-absorbing materials for helmets; thus, allowing new helmet design candidate performances to be objectively evaluated. Test data and characterization of helmet response could then be used to achieve improved warfighter survivability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transverse impact response of a linear elastic Kevlar® KM2 fiber yarn was determined at various striking speeds from Hopkinson bar and gas gun experiments incorporated with high-speed photography techniques. Upon transverse impact, a triangle shape was formed in the fiber yarn. Both longitudinal and transverse waves were produced and propagated outwards the fiber yarn. Both the angle of the triangle and Euler transverse wave speed vary with striking speeds. The relationship between the Euler transverse wave speed and the striking speed was determined. The transverse impact response of the fiber yarn was also analyzed with a model, which agrees well with the experimental results. The model shows that the longitudinal wave speed is critical in the ballistic performance of the fiber yarn. At a certain striking speed, a higher longitudinal wave speed produces a higher Euler transverse wave speed, enabling us to spread the load and dissipate the impact energy faster, such that the ballistic performance of the fiber yarn is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental and numerical study of ballistic impacts on steel plates at various temperatures (700 °C, 400 °C and room temperature) has been carried out. The motivation for this work is the blade-off event that may occur inside a jet engine turbine. However, as a first attempt to understand this complex loading process, a somewhat simpler approach is carried out in the present work. The material used in this study is the FV535 martensitic stainless steel, which is one of the most commonly used materials for turbine casings. Based on material test data, a Modified Johnson-Cook (MJC) model was calibrated for numerical simulations using the LS-DYNA explicit finite element code. To check the mesh size sensitivity, 2D axisymmetric finite element models with three different mesh sizes and configurations were used for the various temperatures. Two fixed meshes with 64 and 128 elements over the 2 mm thick plate and one mesh with 32 elements over the thickness with adaptive remeshing were used in the simulations. Both the formation of adiabatic shear bands in the perforation process and the modeling of the thermal softening effects at high temperatures have been found crucial in order to achieve good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the design and development of solid propellant rocket motors, the use of numerical tools able to predict the behavior of a given motor is particularly important in order to decrease the planning times and costs. This paper is devoted to present the results of the internal ballistics numerical simulation of the NAWC tactical motor n. 6, from ignition to burn-out, by means of a quasi-one-dimensional unsteady numerical simulation model, SPINBALL, coupled with a three-dimensional grain burnback model, GREG. In particular, the attention is focused on the effects on the SRM behavior of the erosive burning, total pressure drops and the cause of the pressure overpeak occurring during the last part of the ignition transient. The final objective is to develop an analysis/simulation capability of SRM internal ballistics for the entire combustion time with simplified physical models, in order to have reduced the computational costs, but ensuring an accuracy greater than the one usually given by zero-dimensional models. The results of the simulations indicate a very good agreement with the experimental data, as no attempt of submodels calibration is made, enforcing the ability of the proposed approach to predict the SRMs internal flow-field conditions. The numerical simulations show that NAWC n. 6 internal ballistics is completely led by the erosive burning, that is the root cause of the pressure peak occurring immediately after the SRM start-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex phenomena occur in a combustion chamber during a ballistic cycle. From the ignition of the black powder in the primer to the exit of the projectile through the muzzle, two-phase gas-powder mix undertakes various transfers in different forms. A detailed comprehension of these effects is fundamental to predict the behavior of the whole system, considering performances and safety. Although the ignition of the powder bed is three-dimensional due to the primer's geometry, simulations generally only deal with one- or two-dimensional problem. In this study, we propose a method to simulate the two-phase flows in 1, 2 or 3 dimensions with the same system of partial differential equations. A one-pressure, conditionally hyperbolic model [1] was used and solved by a nonconservative finite volume scheme associated to a fractional step method, where each step is hyperbolic. We extend our study to a two-pressure, unconditionally hyperbolic model [2] in which a relaxation technique was applied in order to recover the one-pressure model by using the granular stress. The second goal of this study is also to propose an improved ignition model of the powder grains, by taking into account simplified chemical kinetics for decomposition reactions in the two phases. Here we consider a 0th-order solid decomposition and an unimolecular, 2nd-order gas reaction. Validation of the algorithm on several test cases is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key technologies of stacked projectile weapons is projectile positioning. However, the present projectile positioning structures have their respective advantages and shortcomings. A new structure based on the self-locking principle is put forward in this paper and verified as feasible by static analysis if the proper material and structural parameters are chosen. In order to check the strength and verify the feasibility of the structure under launch conditions, the multibody contact finite element model of the structure is established, coupled with dynamic load in the interior ballistic cycle. According to simulations and analysis, the projectile positioning structure is feasible and the strength of the projectile can meet the strength requirement for launch conditions. For different maximum static friction coefficients, simulations show that an increase in the maximum static friction coefficient between the contact surfaces of the positioning ring and barrel improves the positioning performance, but an increase in the maximum static friction coefficient between the contact surfaces of the positioning ring and projectile worsens. On the basis of great computation, it is found that an increase in the upper thickness and height of the positioning ring improves the positioning performance, but an increase in the lower thickness worsens the positioning performance. Further, a lower thickness affects the positioning performance more greatly. As a result, the positioning ring will be thin and light to improve the positioning performance. Compared with other positioning structures, the new structure has little influence on the ballistic performance and is a good application prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laser ignition systems, to ignite the propellant, the laser has to be transmitted into chamber through an optical window. If the optical window is destroyed by high pressure or high temperature or contaminated by the black powder residue, the ignition system will fail in further firings. The sapphire window can withstand the high pressure and high temperature of the ballistic cycle, but it is necessary to keep the window clean for the laser to transmit repeatedly. In modular charge systems or fully combustible cartridge cases, there is no place to put a shield window as in ammunition with stub base; thus a new contamination prevention method is put forward. In this method, the hydrodynamic force is used to divert the gas flow in a cavity located in the breech to avoid contact with the optical window and prevent it from being contaminated. To verify the effectiveness of this structure, a three-dimensional unsteady discrete phase model (DPM) coupled with an interior ballistic process was established. The simulation rsults indicated that the flow jet from the direct orifice was diverted, and particle debris did not contaminate the optical window due to the hydrodynamic force. Various factors influencing the contamination prevention effect were discussed, and the structure parameters were optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic crack propagation across a perpendicular interface in a glass specimen was investigated to understand the interaction between the crack and the interface under impact loading. The glass specimen was composed of two glass plates in an edge-to-edge configuration with an adhesive layer in between. One of the plates had a notch for a plastic projectile to strike. A single crack developed from the notch tip, and propagated perpendicularly into the interface. The patterns of crack propagation across the interface depend on the adhesive conditions on the interface. Within a range of impact speeds, the crack is arrested at the interface without any adhesive. The crack passes across a firmly bonded interface with little obstruction by the interface. The crack branches into multiple cracks after it passes through a thicker interface filled with adhesive. Projectiles having higher kinetic energies cause more severe crack branching after the crack extends into the second glass plate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass impact experiments were designed at three different scales-0.22-cal, 0.375-cal, and 0.50-cal-named after the diameter of the bullets. Four experimental series were conducted at the three scale sizes: (1) Lexan®-only experiments; (2) monoblock glass experiments; (3) single impact bonded glass experiments, and (4) multi-hit experiments. The experiments were conducted to obtain residual velocity Vr as a function of impact (striking) velocity Vs, including sufficient partial penetrations to calculate a ballistic limit velocity V50. The Vs - Vr data were fit to the Lambert equation to obtain another estimate of V50. The objective of the experiments was to investigate whether a time dependency exists in glass damage/failure for ballistic experiments, and if so, quantify this dependence. No scale effect was observed in experimental results for the Lexan®-only experiments. But a variety of scale effects were observed in the glass impact experiments, suggesting that failure is time dependent within the timeframe of ballistic events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided projectile terminal phase against target at ground level is investigated using an adjoint simulation. A pseudo-optimal projectile navigation gain is looked for against a target disturbing the projectile guidance. The use of counter-measures is "modeled" as a suddenly detected target abrupt motion during the guidance terminal phase. The miss distances obtained are studied and the projectile optimal navigation gain is chosen based on the maximum tolerated miss distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the Magnus effect of projectiles and missiles is presented. The first part of the paper is devoted to the description of the physical mechanisms governing the Magnus effect. For yawing and spinning projectiles, at small incidences, the spin induces a weak asymmetry of the boundary layer profiles. At high incidences, increased spin causes the separated vortex sheets to be altered. Vortex asymmetry generates an additional lateral force which gives a vortex contribution to the total Magnus effect. For finned projectiles or missiles, the origin of the Magnus effect on fins is the main issue. There are two principal sources contributing to the Magnus effect. Firstly, the interaction between the asymmetric boundary layer-wake of the body and the fins, and secondly, the spin induced modifications of the local incidences and of the flow topology around the fins. The second part of the paper is devoted to the numerical prediction and validation of these flow phenomena. A state of the art is presented including classical CFD methods based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and unsteady rans (URANS) equations, and also hybrid RANS/LES approach called ZDES. This last method is a recent advance in turbulence modeling methodologies that allows to take into account the unsteadiness of the flow in the base region. For validation purposes computational results were compared with wind tunnel tests. A wide range of angles of attack, spin rates, Reynolds and Mach numbers (subsonic, transonic and supersonic) have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a computational constitutive model for glass subjected to large strains, high strain rates and high pressures. The model has similarities to a previously developed model for brittle materials by Johnson, Holmquist and Beissel (JHB model), but there are significant differences. This new glass model provides a material strength that is dependent on the location and/or condition of the material. Provisions are made for the strength to be dependent on whether it is in the interior, on the surface (different surface finishes can be accommodated), adjacent to failed material, or if it is failed. The intact and failed strengths are also dependent on the pressure and the strain rate. Thermal softening, damage softening, time-dependent softening, and the effect of the third invariant are also included. The shear modulus can be constant or variable. The pressure-volume relationship includes permanent densification and bulking. Damage is accumulated based on plastic strain, pressure and strain rate. Simple (single-element) examples are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the model. Computed results for more complex ballistic impact configurations are also presented and compared to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of a high-hardness steel armor plate inside the bodywork of a vehicle may result in a decrease in the overall ballistic resistance. This phenomenon is referred to as the bodywork effect. The effect was examined for a 5.56 × 45 mm North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ball projectile. Previously reported experimental work has confirmed the numerically based assumption that the bodywork effect was due to the flattening of the tip of the projectile upon perforation of the frontal bodywork plate prior to hitting the integrated armor. The amount of qualitative and quantitative experimental data has now been extended. In order to eliminate the data dispersion observed after perforating the bodywork, an adapted projectile geometry with a truncated nose was fired directly against the armor plate. Ballistic testing also involved firing a soft-core 5.56 × 45 mm projectile for which a similar mechanism was observed. A finite element code was used to simulate the impact process for the different types of projectiles. The parameters of the selected strength and failure models were experimentally determined for the high-hardness armor plate. As to the ballistic limit velocity and plugging morphology there is a good correspondence between the experimental and computed results. Nevertheless, an improved failure model is necessary to get satisfactory computed residual projectile velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Army uses several types of tests to increase the reliability of gun-fired munitions. Systems, subsystems, and components are gun fired to assess reliability. When failures are found, root-cause investigations are completed and parts may be redesigned. For in- stance, the 155 mm projectile Excalibur uses several types of tests to find failures and build reliability. Components are tested in a rail gun, a new soft-catch gun, and in soft recovery vehicles. With the rail gun, test projectiles are fired from a worn gun tube into a trough of water The soft-catch gun, a hybrid system using both air and water, has a standard cannon tube and a series of catch tubes to stop a projectile. The third type of test, a soft recovery vehicle, uses a modified tactical Excalibur with a parachute for a soft landing. All three types of tests have on-board recorders to capture ballistic accelerations. Accelerometer data are used in failure investigations, redesign parts, and to design new projectiles. The purpose of this paper is to compare accelerations from different types of ballistic tests. Comparisons were done to determine if the tests were in the same statistical family. Comparisons are made for a United States MACS 5 charge. The maxi- mum axial forces were the same for the soft-catch gun and the soft recovery vehicle. In the balloting directions, the rail gun and soft recovery vehicle had similar forces. The set forward forces differed in all three cases, reflecting the different catch mechanisms for the projectiles. Comparisons of g-forces were also made using shock response spectra. The shock response indicated that the damage potential is greatest for the rail gun tests, consistent with an increase rate of failures for some electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rarefaction wave gun (RAVEN) propulsion has renewed interest in the fundamental limits of recoil reductions attainable by redirecting propellant gases rearward from a gun without compromising the projectile propulsion. Compared with a conventional gun there is a great difference in the launch process and launch structure. This paper is concerned with an analysis of the dynamic characteristics of this high performance weapon system by numerical simulation. Based on its launch mechanism and launch structure, the vibration equation describing the vibration characteristics of RAVEN was established by vibration theory, which considered the actual movement of the projectile and inertial breech by coupling the interior ballistic equations of the rarefaction wave gun. A rigid-flexible dynamic model, which considered the coupling effect between the elastic vibration of the launch barrel and the dynamic behaviors of the other parts of the RAVEN, is established via a subsystem method. The vibration response of RAVEN during the launch is analyzed by numerical simulation. Comparisons are presented based on the conventional gun, as well as the rules of how the different parameters affect the vibration response. During the launching of RAVEN, the launch barrel shows significant vibration due to the effect of the propellant gases, the inertial breech, and the projectile, and there is some reduction in the vibration amplitude compared with that observed in a conventional closed chamber gun. The vibration amplitude and duration of the launch barrel, which increased with a decrease in the loading density, an increase in the mass of the inertial breech and projectile, and a delay of the venting time, is affected in a more significant manner by changes in loading density and the mass of projectile. The coupled effect between the launch barrel and the other parts of RAVEN are most prevalent in the z-direction. The vibration amplitude along the z-direction is higher than that of the y-direction. When the coupled effect is considered, the transverse vibration response of the flexible barrel has some reduction compared with the one that does not exhibit the coupling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cased telescoped ammunition (CTA) is a kind of charge structure with projectile embedded in the cartridge case. The advantages of CTA, compared with concepts using conventional ammunition, are: (1) reduced charge/ammunition volume, (2) improved performance, and (3) enhanced power and survivabillity of armament. The projectile is placed in the control tube of the cartridge before shooting. After the primer is struck, propellant product gases, generated by the igniter charge burning in the central igniter tube, drive the projectile to move forward along the control tube, and then causing the main propellants around the igniter tube and control tube to burn. Therefore, in the process of interior ballistics, there is a motion of the projectile in the control tube before the projectile engraves the rifles, in contrast with the traditional ammunition. The consistency of this motion has an important influence on the stability of CTA interior ballistic performance. The experiments on the ignition and combustion of propellants and motion of projectile in the control tube are carried out using a high-speed video recording system in this study. The projectile velocity at the entrance of the rifle is obtained from the recorded images. A two-phase flow model of CTA is also established and simulated by using the two-phase flow method and computational fluid dynamics technology. The calculated projectile velocity is in good agreement with the experimental data. The numerical results show that the developed mathematical model gives the correct trend and can provide useful calculated parameters for the structural design of CTA components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of mesh sensitivity on the fracture predictions during penetration and perforation of hardened blunt-nose cylindrical steel projectiles in plates of Weldox 460E, Weldox 700E, and Weldox 900E steel has been studied. The main objective is to try to describe the experimentally obtained trend of a decrease in ballistic limit velocity with increased target strength when the plates are impacted by blunt projectiles. This behavior is due to the occurrence of highly localized shear bands as the target strength increases. The impact tests are analyzed using the explicit solver of a nonlinear finite element code. A thermoelastic-thermoviscoplastic constitutive model with coupled or uncoupled ductile damage was used in the simulations. It was found that the residual velocity continuously increases when the element size is decreased from 125 μm to 15μm in the shear zone, and that this increase is significantly stronger for impact velocities close to the ballistic limit. The ballistic limit decreases by up to 25% when the size of the element is decreased from 125 μm to 30 μm; the decrease being somewhat greater for the two steels with the highest strength. Even with the finest mesh, the experimental trend of a decreasing ballistic limit with increasing target strength was not predicted in the simulations, neither with coupled nor uncoupled damage. Nonlocal simulations based on smoothing of the damage and temperature fields, which are the two variables causing the softening, were carried out for the Weldox steels and a mesh size of 30 μm. These simulations indicate a reduction in the mesh sensitivity for both the coupled and uncoupled damage approaches when nonlocal averaging is employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A device was designed and built that attaches to servohydraulic machines that typically perform material fatigue testing. The device was designed to systematically fold woven fabric and yarns of ballistic fibers to assess the impact of mechanical folding, such as may occur during use, on ballistic fiber properties. Initial tests indicate that the device repeatedly folds a piece of woven fabric at the same location. However, when the device is in the open position, a consistent 1 cm movement of the fabric was observed. A slight modification of the device is required to eliminate this movement. After cycling a piece of woven poly(benzoxazole) (PBO) fabric for 5500 cycles, an 18% reduction in the ultimate tensile strength and strain to failure of the PBO fibers was observed. Research is continuing to determine a relevant and optimized testing protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the 25th International Symposium on Ballistics (ISB) on the history of science of ballistics and the creation of the International Symposium on Ballistics is presented. Topics include on weapon performance, the origins and drivers for the ISB, and the evolution of its development through the International Ballistics Committee. The symposium featured several pioneers including Robert Eichelberger, Dick Dowd, and Martin Summerfeld.

An introduction is presented in which the editor informs about the scientific papers at the international symposium on ballistics in Germany, commends the editors and editorial staff of the journal for their collaborated efforts, and invites members to the upcoming symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The article deals with the success of the mission Deep Impact, which culminated with the impact of a ballistic projectile on the Temple 1 comet. Material scientists would be happy to measure the mechanical strength and other solid heavenly bodies. The procedure is given for an estimation of the comet strength. The mechanical strength of the Tempel 1 comet is estimated.