Ageing effects on performance of small and medium calibre munition
conference paper
Ageing of ammunition results in a change of performance of the ammunition. In the case of small and medium calibre ammunition this change has consequences for the effectiveness and usage safety of the weapon. A good insight into these consequences is important in view of the deployment of weapon systems in out-of-area operations. The experimental part of the investigation is executed for .50 inch and 25mm calibre. The conclusions may apply for many types of conventional small and medium calibre ammunition. The pressure within the weapon appears to increase significantly as a result of ageing. Peak pressure increases up to 25% were found after ageing during four weeks at 71ºC. This leads to an increase of projectile velocity. The hit accuracy is determined for 25mm ammunition only. Although this was done for a relatively small number of firings, the spread seems to increase significantly. In this preliminary investigation, effects of ammunition ageing on barrel wear have not yet been studied, but they are expected because of the other effects which were found, and because of indications observed of the Netherlands armed forces that barrel wear increases at increasing lifetime of the ammunition.
TNO Identifier
362737
Source title
Energetic Materials for High Performance, Insensitive Munitions and Zero Pollution, 41st International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, Germany, 29 June - 2 July 2010
Pages
11 (Poster P45)
Files
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