ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY

Data Transfer Report - 30-mm Enhanced

Alternate High-Energy Propellant

Program (EAHEP): Evaluation of the

Performance of an RDX-Based

ARDEC-7994 Propellant and the Effect

of Two Different Slug Projectile Designs

by Melvin B. Ridgley, Sr.

and Joseph W. Colburn

ARL-TN-114 May 1999

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

|fAldTY INSPECTED 4
The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official

Department of the Army position unless so designated by other

authorized documents.

Citation ofmanufacturer's ortrade names does not constitute an

official endorsement or approval of the use thereof.

Destroy this report when it is no longer needed. Do not return

it to the originator.
Army Research Laboratory

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5066

ARL-TN-114 May 1999

Data Transfer Report - 30-mm Enhanced

Alternate High-Energy Propellant Program

(EAHEP): Evaluation of the Performance

of an RDX-Based ARDEC-7994

Propellant and the Effect of Two Different

Slug Projectile Designs

Melvin B. Ridgley, Sr., and Joseph W. Colburn

Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, ARL

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Abstract

The main test objectives were: (1) to promote the evaluation of novel high-energy gun

propellants that hold the promise of enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery

systems and (2) to provide a facility that can assess the interior ballistic performance

characteristics of small quantities of these propellants. Test No. 61 was an instrumentation

checkout round, using M30 propellant and a 300-g projectile. Test Nos. 62-65 each utilized a

250-g projectile and 100 g of ARDEC-7994 propellant. Test Nos. 62 and 64 utilized the

"Type-1" projectile (see Figure 1). This projectile type has a depressed obturator that snaps on

to the rear of the projectile. This design creates an additional 3 cm3of initial chamber volume

and allows for more of a balspoon seal effect. Test Nos. 63 and 65 utilized the "Type-2"

projectile (see Figure 2). This projectile type has a flat-based obturator with a groove cut in the

base to allow a slight balspoon seal effect. The Type-2 projectile is much less expensive than

the Type-1 projectile, but a head-to-head test was desired to assess any ballistic differences

resulting from the design change.

li
Table of Contents

Page

List of Figures v

List of Tables v

1. Background 1

2. Test Objective 1

3. Summary ofResults 2

4. Discussion and Results 3

Appendix A: Experimental Ballistics Team Firing Request 5

Appendix B: Gauge Locations and Range Setup for the 30-mm EAHEP

Gun Fixture Evaluation 9

Appendix C: Tabular Data and Examples ofExperimental Firing Data 13

Appendix D: Examples ofRun Summary and Channel

Description/Calibration Coefficients On-Line for the

30-mm EAHEP 23

Appendix E: Analog-Tape and Digital-Acquisition System Parameters 29

Distribution List 33

Report Documentation Page 35

111
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

IV
List of Figures

Figure Page

1. Type-1 Projectile and Obturator 2

2. Type-2 Projectile and Obturator 2

B-1. Enhanced Alternate High-Energy Propellant Program (EAHEP) 30-mm Gauge

Locations and Range Setup 11

C-l. Round 65: P1L, P1R, P2L, andP2R 16

C-2. Round 65: Barrel Nos. 1,2, and 3 17

C-3. Round 65: Recoil Accelerometer 18

C-4. Round 65: Light Screen (L-S) 1-2-3 19

C-5. Round 65: Discriminator 20

C-6. Round 65: Interferometer 21

List of Tables

Table Page

1. Test Sequences and Accompanying Instrumentation Remarks 4

C-l. Tabular Data 15

E-l. Analog-Tape and Digital-Acquisition System Parameters 31
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

VI
1. Background

Measurements in support of the 30-mm Enhanced Alternate High-Energy Propellant

Program (EAHEP) were taken at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's (ARL) recording facility

(Bldg. 390). These tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of time on the performance of

the RDX-based ARDEC-7994 propellant. An additional objective was to evaluate the effect of

two different projectile designs on the interior ballistics. This facility, the Central DataAcquisition Network for the Ballistics and Weapons Concepts Division (BWCD) of ARL, was

operated by the Experimental Ballistics Team (EBT) of the Propulsion Branch (PB). The testing

was conducted in support of an ongoing Army effort to further investigate high-energy gun

propellants that hold the promise of enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery

systems.

2. Test Objective

As mentioned previously, the main test objectives were: (1) to promote the evaluation of

novel high-energy gun propellants that hold the promise of enhanced performance from existing

tank and artillery systems and (2) to provide a facility that can assess the interior ballistic

performance characteristics of small quantities of these propellants. The pertinent information

on the tests is detailed in the in-house branch firing request form (Appendix A). Test sample

quantities, configurations, and data-acquisition inputs were as requested by the project engineer.

Appendix B shows a generalized gun configuration and pressure port locations in the chamber,

as well as in the barrel. In addition, it shows the range setup for the test. This report serves to

formally document the data acquired during these tests for further use by the project engineer.

Any technical information concerning the test setup or data should be solicited from the project

engineer.
3. Summary of Results

Test No. 61 was an instrumentation checkout round, using M30 propellant and a 300-g

projectile. Test Nos. 62-65 each utilized a 250-g projectile and 100 g of ARDEC-7994

propellant. Test Nos. 62 and 64 utilized the "Type-1" projectile (see Figure 1). This projectile

type has a depressed obturator that snaps on to the rear of the projectile. This design creates an

additional 3 cm3of initial chamber volume and allows for more of a balspoon seal effect. Test

Nos. 63 and 65 utilized the "Type-2" projectile (see Figure 2). This projectile type has a

flat-based obturator with a groove cut in the base to allow a slight balspoon seal effect. The

Type-2 projectile is much less expensive than the Type-1 projectile, but a head-to-head test was

desired to assess any ballistic differences resulting from the design change.

Figure 1. Type-1 Projectile and Obturator.

HBTURATDR CVCRX1D4 Bi PTOJECTJLE BODY CVtKSlON C>

MTEXIM.« mj TtXL. Nc < M

Z_

Figure 2. Type-2 Projectile and Obturator.
This report summarizes the data obtained during proof testing of the gun fixture and the

initial propellant evaluation test series. Experimental firing data and ignition system parameters

are tabulated in Appendix C. The instrumentation typically used to acquire data during testing

are as follows:

(1) an in-bore Doppler radar (55 GHz) to measure the interior ballistic trajectory;

(2) a discriminator system to measure projectile velocity;

(3) Kistler 607C3 piezoelectric pressure transducers in gauge positions (as show in

Appendix B) to measure chamber and barrel pressures;

(4) downrange breakscreens and breakscreen composite to measure velocity; and

(5) a recoil accelerometer PCB306a/1177, x-axis.

Appendix D provides an example of a standard firing program file (FPF) that includes a run

summary for the 30-mm EAHEP fixture and channel description/calibration coefficients for

on-line and analog tape A for the EAHEP test rounds. Due to the number of rounds fired in this

series, FPFs were not included for each round; however, Appendix E provides a summary of

analog tape and digital-acquisition system parameters. Twelve channels of data can be acquired

on-line using BALDAS n. It is standard procedure to backup the data on an analog tape recorder

for future use or in case of computer malfunction.

4. Discussion and Results

Table 1 lists the test sequences with comments appropriate to instrumentation problems

encountered for each test.
Table 1. Test Sequences and Accompanying Instrumentation Remarks

Test No. Date Comments

61 25 August 1998 EAHEP Gun 1, M30 propellant, good data

62 26 August 1998 EAHEP Gun 1, ARDEC-7994 propellant, Type-1 projectile, good data

63 26 August 1998 EAHEP Gun 1, ARDEC-7994 propellant, Type-2 projectile, good data

64 26 August 1998 EAHEP Gun 1, ARDEC-7994 propellant, Type-1 projectile, good data

65 26 August 1998 EAHEP Gun 1, ARDEC-7994 propellant, Type-2 projectile, good data

During testing, the Building 390 recording-room staff made the following specific

contributions beyond the recording of data:

(1) assisted with range setup (charged amplifiers, breakscreens, the interferometer, the

range physical configuration); and

(2) gave the project engineer all of the ballistic data in the form of floppy disks (ASCII

format), data plots, and FPFs at the conclusion of each test.

4
Appendix A:

Experimental Ballistics Team Firing Request
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
EXPERIMENTAL BALLISTICS TEAM FIRING REQUEST

BRANCH REQUEST: Propulsion Branch

CONTRACTOR REQUEST: N/A

PROJECT TITLE: EAHEP Test Fixture and Propellant Evaluation

PROJECT ENGINEER(s): J. Colburn and A. Johnson

PURPOSE OF TEST: To promote the evaluation of novel high-energy gun propellants that hold the

promise of enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery systems. To provide a facility that can

assess the interior ballistic performance characteristics ofsmall quantities of these propellants.

TIME FRAME REQUESTED:

LENGTH OF TEST: 25 August 1998 to 26 August 1998

(DAYS AND NUMBER OF ROUNDS): 2 Days, 5 Rounds

RANGE REQUIREMENTS:

GUN TYPE: 1.15-in (29.2 mm) Gun

PROJECTILE TYPE: Slug

CHARGE TYPE: RDX-Based ARDEC-7994

PRIMER TYPE: Benite Strand

GUN INSTRUMENTATION: Pressure Gauges in Chamber and Barrel

RANGE INSTRUMENTATION:

- Recoil Accelerometer

- Interferometer

- Discriminator/Velocity

- Video/Audio

- Breakscreens and Breakscreen Composite

INTERIOR BALLISTICIAN: J. Colburn

REVIEW OF TEST PLAN: J. Colburn

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: As Outlined by Project Engineer
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
Appendix B:

Gauge Locations and Range Setup for the 30-mm EAHEP

Gun Fixture Evaluation
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

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Appendix C:

Tabular Data and Examples of Experimental Firing Data

13
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

14
Table C-1. Tabular Data

Test

No.

Peak Quasi-Static Pressure

(MPa)

55-GHz

Radar

PlL (m/s) aPlRb

P2La P2Rb Barrel 1 Barrel 2 Barrel 3

61 290 276 265 263 254 214 22 928

62 386 386 288 383 353 295 35 —

63 362 350 348 354 341 291 33 1,218

64 397 353 379 371 349 289 33 1,232

65 380 353 367 365 351 289 33 1,238

lL = left.

' R = right.

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Appendix D:

Examples of Run Summary and Channel

Description/Calibration Coefficients On-Line for the

30-mm EAHEP

23
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

24
TEST DATA

DATE

LOCATION

CLEARANCE

RUN SUMMARY FOR EAHEP - EAP ROUND 65

26 AUGUST 1998

R 166

X

ANALOG-TAPE PARAMETERS

ENGINEER

OPERATOR

GUNNERS

JUHASZ AND COLBURN

T.E.R AND M.B.R

COLBURN AND JOHNSON

REEL NUMBER

STATUS

START

STOP

500

ON

0384

INDENT NUMBER : 05

SPEED CODE : 120

ENVIRONMENT

TEMPERATURE

BAROMETER

HUMIDITY

GUN DATA

20° C

mm Hg

%

DENSITY

WIND SPEED

WIND DIRECTION

g/ml

m/s

Deg.

TUBE

NUMBER

TUBE ROUND NUMBER

TRAVEL

CHAMBER VOLUME

EAHEP-1

SN 529

1

2,670 mm

REMARKS

MOUNT

121.66 cm*

529 USED PREVIOUSLY BY TBD

CALIBERS/TURN

GROOVE DIAMETER

LAND DIAMETER

GROOVE/LAND RATIO

999999

29.21 mm

29.21 mm

1

RECOIL TYPE

RECOIL SN

ELEVATION

REMARKS

PROJECTILE

37 mm

UNKNOWN

0 mil

MOUNT TYPE

MOUNT SN

ASIMUTH

BLUE MOUNT AND RECOIL

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

0 mil

TYPE

LOT NUMBER

WEIGHT

FILL

PROJECTILE TEMP.

ALUMINUM SLUG

1

0.1298 kg

STEEL BOLT

AMBIENT °C

BAND TYPE

BAND DIAMETER

BAND WIDTH

FUSE

POLYPROPLUX

30.23 mm

1. 9 mm

N/A

REMARKS

PRIMER

SLUG WITH STEEL FACE AND POLY OBTURATOR

PRIMER TYPE

LOT NUMBER

REMARKS :

: M52 A3 Bl

: LC-20-625

200-V FIRING VOLTAGE

WEIGHT

TEMPERATURE

N/A

AMBIENT °C

25
IGNITER

IGNITER TYPE : BENITE WEIGHT : 1.5 g

LOT NUMBER : TEMPERATURE : AMBIENT °C

REMARKS : USING BAYONETTE IGNITER TUBE

CHARGE

CHARGE TYPE : M30 ZONE : RAD-PE-771-2

LOT NUMBER : N/A TEMPERATURE : AMBIENT °C

REMARKS : 7-PERF M30 0.018 WEB (AVG)

CASE

CASE TYPE :LEXAN LOT NUMBER : 1

REMARKS : 0.125 in THICK

LOADING

SEATING DISTANCE : mm CHARGE STANDOFF : mm

REMARKS :

EAP ROUND 65

PROPELLANTS

NUMBER OF PROPELLANTS

PROPELLANT 1

PROPELLANT TYPE

LOT NUMBER

WEIGHT kg

INNER WEB mm

OUTER WEB mm

LENGTH mm

DIAMETER mm

REMARKS :

PERF DIAMETER

TEMPERATURE

IMPETUS

SPECIFIC HEAT RATIO

FLAME TEMPERATURE

COVOLUME

DENSITY

°C

J/kg

K

cm

3/g

g/cm

EAP ROUND 65

26
ADC 1

CHANNEL SIZE: 20 KB

TIME PER SAMPLE: 0.005 ms

MUX POSITION: 2

CHANNELS: 12

PRETRIGGER SIZE: 1/8

TRIGGER LEVEL: 2 V

CHANNEL GAUGE DESCRIPTION CALIBRATION COEFFICIENTS

1 P1L

KISTLER 607C3/C55333

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

: -1.8134E-02

. 59.041

-3.8545E-01

2 P1R

KISTLER 607C3/C54587

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

-4.0484E-03

61.899

-4.5280E-01

3 P2L

KISTLER 607C3/C47191

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

1.1991E-01

58.969

-3.5226E-01

4 P2R

KISTLER 607C3/C55334

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

-4.2308E-03

58.113

-3.6975E-01

5 BARREL 1

KISTLER 607C3/C55331

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

7.2705E-01

58.521

-4.0855E-01

6 BARREL 2

KISTLER 607C3/C55332

Top Step: 8

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

-1.1505E-01

58.094

-3.9972E-01

7 BARREL 3

KISTLER 607C3/C57305

Top Step: 0.5

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

7.0984E-01

55.148

-1.9567E-01

8 FIRING VOLTAGE (FV) NOT CLAIBRA1:CED

9 RECIOL ACCELEROMETER

Top Step: 5

(ACC) CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

0.0

980

0.0

10 LIGHT SCREEN (L-S) 1- 2-3 NOT CALIBRA^CED

11 DISCRIMINATOR

35 GHz

Top Step: 5

CONSTANT

LINEAR

QUADRATIC

0

164.5

0

12 INTERFEROMETER

3 5 GHz

NOT CALIBRATED

27
VELOCITY

VELOCITY DEVICE: HP COUNTER

DISTANCE 1: 0.9985 m

ETS CHANNEL: 1

DISTANCE 2: 0.990 m

ETS CHANNEL: 2

DISTANCE 3: 1.9885

ETS CHANNEL: 3

EVENT TIMER

ETS CLOCK RATE CODE

CHANNEL DESCRIPTION

1

2

3

4

5

6

TEST REMARKS

ON-LINE DATA

VELOCITY 1--2: 0 m/s

VELOCITY 2--3: 0 m/s

VELOCITY 1--3: 0 m/s

CHANNELS 6

TIME (S)

0.0000

0.0000

0.0000

28
Appendix £:

Analog-Tape and Digital-Acquisition System Parameters

29
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

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32
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1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) | 2. REPORT DATE | 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED

May 1999 Final, August 1998

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Data Transfer Report - 30-mm Enhanced Alternate High-Energy Propellant

Program (EAHEP): Evaluation ofthe Performance of an RDX-Based

ARDEC-7994 Propellant and the Effect of Two Different Slug Projectile Designs

6. AUTHOR(S)

Melvin B. Ridgley, Sr., and Joseph W. Colburn

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

U.S. Army Research Laboratory

ATTN: AMSRL-WM-BE

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5066

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAMES(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

5. FUNDING NUMBERS

1L162618AH80

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

ARL-TN-114

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AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

13. ABSTRACT(Maximum 200 words)

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

The main test objectives were: (1) to promote the evaluation of novel high-energy gun propellants that hold the

promise of enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery systems and (2) to provide a facility that can assess

the interior ballistic performance characteristics of small quantities of these propellants. Test No. 61 was an

instrumentation checkout round, using M30 propellant and a 300-g projectile. Test Nos. 62-65 each utilized a 250-g

projectile and 100 g of ARDEC-7994 propellant. Test Nos. 62 and 64 utilized the "Type-1" projectile (see Figure 1).

This projectile type has a depressed obturatorthatsnaps on to the rear ofthe projectile. This design creates an additional

3 cm3 ofinitial chamber volume and allows formore of a balspoon seal effect. Test Nos. 63 and 65 utilized the "Type-2"

projectile (see Figure 2). This projectile type has a flat-based obturator with a groove cut in the base to allow a slight

balspoon seal effect. The Type-2 projectile is much less expensive than the Type-1 projectile, but a head-to-head test

was desired to assess any ballistic differences resulting from the design change.

14. SUBJECT TERMS

guns, interior ballistics, gun propellant

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT

UNCLASSIFIED

NSN 7540-01-280-5500

18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THIS PAGE

UNCLASSIFIED

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF ABSTRACT

UNCLASSIFIED

15. NUMBER OF PAGES

30

16. PRICE CODE

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT

UL

35 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 298-102
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36
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