Data Transfer Report - 

304nm Enhanced Alternate 

High-Energy Propellant Program 

(EAHEP): Test Fixture and 

Propellant Evaluation 

by Melvin B. Ridgley, Sr., 

and Joseph W. Colburn 

ARLPSR-88 January 1999 p 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 
. 

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 of manufacturer’s or trade 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-SR-88 January 1999 

Data Transfer Report - 30-mm Enhanced 

Alternate High-Energy Propellant Program 

(EAHEP): Test Fixture and Propellant 

Evaluation 

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

Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, AIU 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 
Abstract 

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

(EAHEP) were taken at the Building 390 recording facility. Propellants evaluated for this series 

of tests were M30, U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center 

(ARDEC) 7994, BAMOAMMOKL20, BAMO-AMMO/CL;?O/NQ, and BAMO-AMMO-RDX. 

This facility, the central data acquisition network for the Propulsion and Plight Division (Pm)) 

of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (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 promise enhanced performance from 

existing tank and artillery systems. 
Table of Contents 

I - 

1. Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*............................................................................................. 1 

2. Test Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

3. Summary of Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

4. Discussion and Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Appendix A: Experimental Ballistics Team Firing Request ............................... 5 

Appendix B: Gauge Locations and Range Setup for the 30-mm Gun ............... 9 

Appendix C: Tabular Data and Example of Experimental Firing Data . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Appendix D: Examples of Run Summary and Channel Description/ 

Calibration Coefficients On Line for the 30-mm Enhanced 

Alternate High-Energy Program 

(E-n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

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

Distribution List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Report Documentation Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

. . . 

111 
I . 

. 

1. Background 

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

(EAHEP) were taken at the Building 390 recording facility. Propellants evaluated for this series 

of tests were M30, U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center 

(ARDEC) 7994, BAMOAMMOKL20, BAMOAMMO/CL20/NQ, and BAMO-AMMO-RDX. 

This facility, the central data acquisition network for the Propulsion and Plight Division (PFD) of 

the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (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 promise enhanced 

performance from existing tank and artillery systems. 

2. Test Objectives 

The test objectives were to promote the evaluation of novel, high-energy gun propellants that 

promise enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery systems and to provide a facility 

that can assess the interior ballistic performance characteristics of small quantities of these 

propellants. Pertinent test information is detailed on 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, both in the chamber as well as in the barrel. In addition, it shows the 

range setup for the test. This report formally documents 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. 

I . 

3. Summary of Results 

A robust and easy-to-use test gun was required for the evaluation of small quantities (up to 

125 g) of high-energy solid propellant samples. Due to funding constraints, a test gun was 
designed based on available residual 30-mm hardware from a GT Devices (GTD)/General 

Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) gun supplemented by existing ARL medium-caliber gun 

system components and several new parts. Unique features of the design include a simple 

dependable igniter system, which delivers a smooth ignition pulse to the experimental propelling 

charge; a robust chamber-tube seal system; and a ring-assisted stub case seal. These features 

permit safe, easy, and fast turnaround operations with the test gun. This report summarizes the 

data obtained during proof testing of the gun fucture 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 is as follows: 

(1) In-bore doppler radar (35 GHz) to measure the interior ballistic trajectory. 

(2) Discriminator system to measure projectile velocity. 

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

Appendix B to measure chamber and barrel pressures. 

(4) Downrange break screens to measure velocity. 

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 online 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 II. It is standard procedure to back up the data on an analog tape 

recorder for future use or in case of computer malfunction. 

I 2 
4. Discussion and Results 

. 

. 

. 

I - 

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 Date Comments 

19 07 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant -good data 

20 08 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant -P2L bad microdot cable 

21 15 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant -good data 

22 15 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant -good data 

23 18 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data , 

24 20 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data 

25 21 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data 

26 22 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data 

27 29 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - Igniter tube integrity test 

28 29 March 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

29 02 April 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

30 29 April 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

31 01 May 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

32 01 May 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

33 01 May 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

34 01 May 1996 EAHEP Gun 1 - 7994 ARDEC Propellant -good data 

35 22 January 1997 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data 

36 1 01 February 1997 1 EAHEP Gun 1 - M30 Propellant - good data 

39 I 13 February 1997 I 

EAHEP Gun 1 - B-ARDX Propellant - Bad microdot 

cable. Barrel 3 

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

contributions beyond the recording of data: 

l Assisted with building and testing a different method for checking out break screens. 
l When the signal fi-om the discriminator seemed to drop out during test rounds 20, 22, 23, 

25, and 26, traced the problem to an intermittent component on the frequency board and repaired 

it. 

l Gave all ballistic data in the form of floppy disks (ASCII format), data plots, and FPFs to 

the project engineer at the conclusion of each test. 

4 
. 

. 

Appendix A: 

Experimental Ballistics Team Firing Request 

5 
I l 

. 

EXPERIMENTAL BALLISTICS TEAM FIRING REQUEST 

3RANCH REQUEST: Advanced Propulsion Physics Branch 

ZONTRACTOR REQUEST: N/A 

‘ROJECT TITLE: EAHEP Test Fixture and Propellant Evaluation 

‘ROJECT ENGINEERS: J. Colburn, A. A. Juhasz, and A. Johnson 

YJRPOSE OF TEST: To promote the evaluation of novel, high-energy gun propellants thal 

)romise enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery systems. To provide a facility 

hat can assess the interior ballistic performance characteristics of small quantities of these 

n-opellants. 

TIME FRAME REQUEST: LENGTH OF TEST - 7 March 1996 to 13 February 1997 

IDays and number of rounds): 16 Days, 21 Rounds 

XANGE REQUIREMENTS: 

GUN TYPE: 30-mm GDLS ETC 

PROJECTILE TYPE: Slug 

CHARGE TYPE: 

PRIMER TYPE: M52 

GUN INSTRUMENTATION: Pressure gauges in chamber and barrel. 

RANGE INSTRUMENTATION: 

- Interferometer 

- Discriminator/Velocity 

- Video/Audio 

- Break Screens 

INTERIOR BALLISTICIAN: 

REVIEW OF TEST PLAN: A. A. Juhasz 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: As outlined by project engineer. 

7 
i l 

Appendix B: 

Gauge Locations and Range Setup for the 30-mm Gun 

9 
EAHEP 30-mm Gauge Locations and Range Setup 

Sand pile 

Barrel Pressure 2 Barrel Pressure3 

CL 

CI Pl P2 

CHAMBER ---___- 

,~ ..- -___. ..-.. _.-. 

FRANKFORT REST 

Break screen Break screen 

one two 

Break screen 

three 

0 0 
. 

Appendix C: 

Tabular Data and Example of Experimental Firing Data 

. 

13 
Tabular Data 
IY 

Ii 

, 

. 

‘I . 

16 

. 
. 

17 
IY , 

w m 
w 
. 
l . . . 

13 FEB 1997 

2,77 

2,21 

i ,64 

1,07 

e51 

-.06 

-,62 

-la19 

-I,75 

-2’, 32 

INTERFERCIMETER 

EAHEP Round 39 

50 

-2,88 L 

1 -35 

35.0 37,0 39,0 41.0 43,0 45,0 -- 

TIME Cms1 

INTERFERDt 

. 
Appendix D: 

Examples of Run Summary and Channel 

Description/Calibration Coefficients 

On Line for the 30-mm EAHEP 

23 
RUNSUMMARY FOR EAHEP - EAP ROUND 39 

. 

. 

. 

. 

TEST DATA 

DATE z 13 FEB 1997 

LOCATION : R 166 

CLEARANCE : X 

ANALOG TAPE PARAMETERS 

REEL NUMBER : 487 

STATUS : ON 

START : 5885 

STOP : 

ENVIRONMENT 

TEMPERATURE :20 C 

BAROMETER : mm w 

HUMIDITY : % 

GUN DATA 

TUBE : EAHEP-1 

NUMBER : SN 529 

TUBE ROUND NUMBER : 0 

TRAVEL : 2670 mm 

CHAMBER VOLUME : 121.66 cc 

REMARKS : 529 USED PREV BY TBD 

MOUNT 

RECOIL TYPE : 37-MM 

RECOIL SERIAL NUMBER : UNKNOWN 

ELEVATION : 0 mils 

REMARKS : BLUE MOUNT & RECOIL 

PROJECTILE 

TYPE : MILD STEEL SLUG 

LOT NUMBER :2 

WEIGHT : .305kg 

FILL - SOLID 

PROJECTILE TEMP ; AMBIENT C 

ENGINEER : COLBURN 

OPERATOR : MBR 

GUNNERS : COLBURN 

IDENT NUMBER : 32 

SPEED CODE : 120 

DENSITY 

WIND SPEED 

: i,'p 

: 

WIND DIRECTION : Deg 

CALIBERS/TURN : 999999 

GROOVE DIAMETER : 29.21 mm 

LAND DIAMETER : 29.21 mm 

GROOVE/LAND RATIO : 1 

MOUNT TYPE : UNKNOWN 

MOUNT SERIAL NUMBER : UNKNOWN 

AZIMUTH : 0 mils 

BAND TYPE * POLYPROPULUX 

BAND DIAMETER I N/A mm 

BAND WIDTH : N/A mm 

FUZE : N/A 

REMARKS : TYPE 2 SLUG AND OBTURATOR 

PRIMER 

PRIMER TYPE : M52 A3 Bl WEIGHT 

LOT NUMBER 

: N/Ag 

: LC-20-625 TEMPERATURE :AMBIENT C 

REMARKS : 200V FIRING VOLTAGE 

IGNITER 

IGNITER TYPE : BENITE WEIGHT 

LOT NUMBER : 

: 1.5g 

TEMPERATURE :AMBIENT C 

REMARKS : USING BAYONETTE IGNITER TUBE 

25 
ADC 1 

CHANNEL 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

CHANNEL SIZE: 20 KBytes CHANNELS: 12 

TIME PER SAMPLE: .005 ms PRETRIGGER SIZE: l/8 

MUX POSITION: 2 TRIGGER LEVEL: 2 Volts 

GAGE DESCRIPTION CALIBRATION COEFFICIENTS 

PlL Constant : 4.40363-01 

KISTLER 607C3/C55333 Linear : 58.310 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -3.22103-01 

PlR Constant : 7.71353-01 

KISTLER 607C3/C54587 Linear : 61.052 l 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -4.0050E-01 

P2L Constant : 1.47453-01 

KISTLER 607C3/C47191 Linear : 58.751 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -3.30173-01 

P2R Constant : -6.72383-02 

KISTLER 607C3/C55334 Linear * 57.788 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -3.28283-01 

BARREL 1 Constant : -l.l027E-01 

KISTLER 607C3/C55331 Linear : 58.986 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -4.70703-01 

BARREL 2 Constant : 1.43863-01 

KISTLER 607C3/C55332 Linear - 57.344 

Top step: 8 Quadratic: -3.4921E-01 

BARREL3 Constant : 1.23043+00 

KISTLER 607C3/C57305 Linear : 54.446 

Top step: 1 Quadratic: -1.49593-01 

FR 

FIRING VOLTAGE 

NOT CALIBRATED 

B-Sl-2-3 

BS COMMON OUTPUT 

NOT CALIBRATED 

NOT USED 

NOT USED 

NOT CALIBRATED 

DISCRIMINATOR Constant : 0 

35 GHz Linear : 259.92 

Top step: 5 Quadratic: 0 

INTERFEROMETER 

35 GHz 

NOT CALIBRATED 

. 

26 
CHARGE 

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

LOT NUMBER : N/A TEMPERATURE :AMBIENT C 

REMARKS : 7-PERF M30 .0125 WEB 

CASE 

CASE TYPE :,LEXAN LOT NUMBER : 1 

REMARKS : .125" THICK 

LOADING 

SEATING DISTANCE : mm CHARGE STANDOFF : mm 

REMARKS : 

EAP Rd 39 

PROPELLANTS NUMBER OF PROPELLANTS: 1 

PROPELLANT 

PROPELLANT. TYPE : 

LOT NUMBER : 

WEIGHT : kg 

INNER WEB : 

OUTER WEB : 

LENGTH : 

DIAMETER : 

1 

PERF DIAMETER : 

'TEMPERATURE : C 

IMPETUS . 

SPECIFIC HEAT RATIO ; 

J/kg 

FLAME TEMPERATURE : K 

COVOLUME : cc/g 

DENSITY : g/cc 

REMARKS : 

EAP Rd 39 

27 
VELOCITY 

VELOCITY DEVICE: HP COUNTER 

DISTANCE 1: 1.0025 m 

ETS CHANNEL: 1 

DISTANCE 2: 1.062 m 

ETS CHANNEL: 2 

. 

VELOCITY l-2 256.886611147 m/s 

VELOCITY 2-3 241.182749302 m/s 

DISTANCE 3: 2.0645 m 

ETS CHANNEL: 3 VELOCITY l-3 248.582196482 m/s 

EVENT TIMER 

ETS CLOCK RATE CODE: CHANNELS: 6 

CHANNEL DESCRIPTION TIME (6) 

1 +3.90253-03 

2 +4.40333-03 

3 +8.30513-03 

4 

5 

6 

TEST REMARKS. 

ONLINE DATA 

. 

. 

28 
I l 

Appendix E: 

Afialog Tape and Digital Acquisition System Parameters 

29 
1) . . . 

Analog Tape and Digital Acquisition System Parameters 
DEFENSETECHNICAL 1 DIRECTOR 

INFORMATION CENTER USARMYRFSEARCHLAB 

DTIC DDA AMSRL D 

8725 JOHN J KINGMAN RD RWWHALIN 

STE 0944 2800 POWDER MILL RD 

Fl- BELVOIR VA 220606218 ADELFXI MD 20783-l 145 

HQDA 

DAMOFDQ 

D SCHMJDT 

4OOARMYPENTAGON 

WASHINGTON DC 203 lo-0460 

1 DIRECTOR 

us ARMY RESEARCH LAB 

AMSRLDD 

J J ROCCHIO 

2800 POWDER MILL RD 

ADELPHI MD 20783-l 145 

OSD 

OUSD(A&T)/ODDDR&E(R) 

RJTREW 

THEPENTAGON 

WASHINGTON DC 20301-7100 

1 DIRECTOR 

US ARMY RESEARCH LAB 

AMSRL CS AS (RECORDS MGMT) 

2800 POWDER MLL RD 

ADELPHI MD 20783-l 145 

DPTY CG FOR RDE HQ 

usARMYMATERlELcMD 3 

AMCRD 

MG CALDWELL, 

5001 EISENHOWER AVE 

ALEXANDRIA VA 22333-0001 

DIRECTOR 

usARMYREsEARcHLAB 

AMSRL CI LL 

2800 POWDER MILL RD 

ADELPHJ MD 20783-1145 

INST FOR ADVNCD TCHNLGY 

THE UNIV OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 

PO BOX 202797 

AUSTIN TX 78720-2797 

4 

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND 

DIRUSARL 

AMSRL CI LP (305) 

DARPA 

B KASPAR 

3701 N FAIRFAX DR 

ARLINGTON VA 22203-1714 

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE Cl-R 

CODE B07 J PENNELLA 

17320 DAHLGREN RD 

BLDG 1470 RM 1101 

DAHLGREN VA 22448-5 100 

US MILITARY ACADEMY 

MATH SC1 CTR OF EXCELLENCE 

DEPT OF MATHEMATICAL SC1 

MAJMDPHTLLlPS 

THAYERHALL 

WEST POINT NY 10996-1786 

33 
NO. OF 

COPIES ORGANIZATION 

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND 

10 DIR USARL 

AMSRLWMB 

A HORST 

AMSRL WI4 BC 

A JOHNSON 

M RIDGLEY (2 Cl’s) 

CRUTH 

AMSRL WM BD 

J COLBURN (2 CPS) 

A JUHASZ 

AMSRL WM BE 

T MINOR 

GWREN 

I 34 
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Fom Approvad 

OMB No. 07044188 

rt - 30-mm Enhanced Alternate High-Energy Propellant 

: Test Fixture and Propellant Evaluation 

lL162618AH30 

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

U.S. Array Research Laboratory 

ATT‘Nz AMSRL-WM-BE 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 210055066 

9. SPONSORINGIMONlTORING AGENCY NAMES(S) AND ADDRESS lO.SPONSORING/MONITORlNG 

AGBNCY REPORT NUMBER 

Il. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 

l2a. DlSTRlBUTlON/AVAlLABlLlTY STATEMENT 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE 

13. ABSTRACT(Maxlmum 200 words) 

Measurements in support of the 3Omm Enhanced Alternate High-Energy Propellant Program (EAHEP) were taken 

St the Building 390 recording facility. Propellants evaluated for this series of tests were M30, U.S. Army Armament 

Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) 7994, BAMO-AMMOKL20, BAMOAMMO/CL20/NQ, 

md BAMO-AMMO-RDX. This facility, the central data acquisition network for the Propulsion and Flight Division 

PFD) of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (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 

@h-energy gun propellants that promise enhanced performance from existing tank and artillery systems. 

14. SUBJECT TERMS 

prns, interior ballistics, gun propellant 

17. SECURITY CLASSlFlCATlON 18. SECURITY CLASSlFlCATlON 

OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE 

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 

rlfM7.cArln-~*nxm-m 

15. NUMBER OF PAGES 

29 

16. PRICE CODE 

10. SECURlTY CLASSlFlCATlON 20. LlMlTATlON OF ABSTRACT 

OF ABSTRACT 

UNCLASSIFIED UL 

Ctelnrt.rrl Enrm ,a! ma” ,-no\ 

35 

““a..“p’. “mm11 L”” \a I”.. L “Y, 

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