Patent Publication Number: US-7581497-B2

Title: Self-contained, non-intrusive data acquisition in ammunition

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
   This invention was made with government support funded under the United States Navy Program Executive Office (PEO) for Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS) 3C, in support of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Deepwater program. The government has certain rights in the invention. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This description relates to data acquisition in ammunition. 
   BACKGROUND 
   It is a priority during operation and use of guns and other ammunition launchers to maintain a safe environment for the operators of such devices, other personnel who may be in the vicinity of the devices, as well as the equipment both comprising and surrounding the device. However, human error, malfunction of one or more of the components in use, or an unfavorable change in current operating conditions may nonetheless lead to personnel injury and/or damage to the weapon being used. 
   In order to avoid such injuries and equipment damage, safe operating procedures are typically designed for particular weapons systems or types of weapons systems, and are in place for use by operating personnel. For example, procedures may be in place that define how ammunition is loaded, when ammunition is loaded, and what to do in case personnel error, malfunction of the weapons system, or undesirable conditions do occur. 
   One example of a potential problem relates to the operating temperature of the related weapons system and/or ammunition. For example, if prolonged firing of a weapon raises the temperature of certain components of the weapon to a certain extent, thus causing heat to soak into a piece of ammunition, the ammunition may have an unexpected or abnormal reaction. Other examples exist as to how mishandling, malfunction, or prolonged usage of a given weapons system may lead to personnel injury and/or damage to the weapons system. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one implementation, a data-collecting round of ammunition is loaded into a firing position within a weapons system, the data-collecting round containing a data acquisition system. A stoppage of a firing procedure of the weapons system is initiated (either accidentally or manually instructed), while the data-collecting round is in the firing position. Data is collected related to the components of the data-collecting round while in the firing position. 
   According to another implementation, a system for collecting data includes a round including a cartridge case (herein referred to also as “case”) and a projectile body (herein referred to also as “body”) having a shape that is compatible with placement within a firing position of a weapons system, a data acquisition system within the case, and a plurality of sensors disposed within or on the round (including, in some implementations, within or on either the case and/or the body) and in communication with the data acquisition system to provide data relating to the components of the data-collecting round while the data-collecting round is in the firing position, for storage thereof within the data acquisition system. 
   In another implementation, a loading procedure is implemented for loading rounds of ammunition from a magazine into a weapons system, the magazine including a plurality of live rounds of ammunition and a data-collecting round of ammunition. The live rounds of ammunition are fired from the weapons system in sequence, until the data-collecting round is reached. The data-collecting round is loaded into a firing position of the weapons system according to the loading procedure after a firing of a preceding live round of ammunition from the plurality of live rounds of ammunition, and data is collected related to the components of the data-collecting round of ammunition while in the firing position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of an ammunition loading process. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams of implementations of a data-collecting round of ammunition of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations of packaging configurations of a data acquisition system of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of modifications to a cartridge case made to accommodate coupling techniques of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate modifications that may be made to a projectile body of the data-collecting round of  FIGS. 1A-4  to accommodate instrumentation. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a process for using the data-collecting round of  FIGS. 1A-5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of an ammunition loading process. In  FIG. 1A , a portion of a gun  102  is shown as being loaded with ammunition  104 . In the following description, the portion of the gun  102  may simply be referred to as the gun  102  for the sake of convenience; however, it should be understood that a given gun or other weapon may have many other portions that are not explicitly illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , such as, for example, a triggering mechanism. 
   The gun  102  includes a barrel  106 , in which a chamber  108  is positioned so as to receive a round of the ammunition  104 . A breech  110  is positioned behind the chamber  108 , and serves not only to seal the chamber  108  and ensure proper firing, but to assist in protecting personnel from injury related to instances such as, for example, a misfiring of the ammunition  104 . That is, for example, the breech  110  may be opened as part of the ammunition loading process, and then closed once a round of the ammunition  104  is in place for loading into the chamber  108 . Then, if a round of the ammunition  104  fires unexpectedly or has an unexpected reaction, the closed breech  110  will serve to assist in protecting personnel in the vicinity, as well as to prevent or minimize damage to the gun  102  or other equipment in the area. 
   In  FIG. 1A , then, a round  112  is sequentially loaded from a magazine  114  for loading into the chamber  108 . In this way, rounds of the ammunition  104  may be rapidly loaded into the gun  102 , and, in particular, may be loaded in a largely or completely automatic manner, subject to the oversight and control of an associated gun crew. Each round of the ammunition  104  may then be fired, again subject to the control and oversight of the associated gun crew. 
   As just referenced, in some implementations, certain ones of the processes for loading and firing the ammunition  104  may be more or less automated. For example, each round of the ammunition  104  may contain electronic firing or triggering components, not explicitly shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Such components may send, for example, an electronic signal to a firing system of the gun  102 , such that each round of the ammunition  104  may be fired potentially as soon as that round is loaded and ready. As a result, for example, if the gun  102  represents a 57 mm gun, then the gun  102  may be fully automatic and unmanned (in the gun mount itself) with respect to the ammunition loading and firing procedure(s) beyond the initial loading of rounds into the magazines  114 . Again, however, such loading and firing procedures may be initiated, controlled, modified, or halted, as needed, by the associated gun crew. 
   In  FIG. 1A , the last round of ammunition in the magazine  114  is a data-collecting round  116 . As described in more detail below, the data-collecting round  116  may include a data acquisition system that is encapsulated within the round  116  and connected to a plurality of thermocouples or other sensors that also are disposed within or throughout the round  116 . 
   When all of the preceding rounds of ammunition from the magazine  114  have been loaded and fired, and, in particular, after the immediately-preceding round  118  has been loaded and fired, the data-collecting round  116  may be immediately rammed into the barrel  106 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The data-collecting round  116  generally contains components that are designed not to damage the gun  102  or the data-collecting round  116  when the gun  102  is attempting to ‘fire’ the data-collecting round  116 . The data-collecting round  116  is generally designed to imitate the exterior dimensions and physical features, as well as overall weight of similar rounds, in order to force the gun to behave as if there is a live round chambered that is essentially (or, in some cases, exactly) like the immediately-preceding round  118 . The data-collecting round  116  also may be designed to include inert components, so as to guard against any reaction taking place when loaded into the barrel  106 . Materials that possess the same, or as close as possible, physical and thermal properties may be used to sufficiently simulate the heating characteristics of a live piece of ammunition with an inert data-collecting round  116 . 
   More particularly, the data-collecting round  116  may specifically be designed not to contain any triggering components that may be contained within all of the other rounds of the ammunition  104  from the magazine  114  to prevent the gun  102  from firing. In other implementations, the data-collecting round  116  may contain components that affirmatively send out a signal that prevents firing of the gun  102  when the data-collecting round  116  is loaded. 
   As a result, the gun  102  experiences a stoppage in its firing procedure, and the data-collecting round  116  remains seated within the chamber  108 . During the time that the data-collecting round  116  is readied, loaded, and/or seated, the thermocouples and/or other sensors within or on the data-collecting round  116  may be operable to sense data regarding the components of the data-collecting round  116 , such as, for example, temperature data as well as timing information as to when the collected temperature data points occur. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams of implementations of the data-collecting round  116  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In particular,  FIG. 2A  is a line drawing of an interior of an implementation of the data-collecting round  116 , while  FIG. 2B  is a cut-away view of an implementation of the data-collecting round  116 . 
   In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the data-collecting round  116  includes a cartridge case  202  and a projectile body  204 . A base  206  is attached to the aft end of the case  202  and the case  202  is secured (e.g., crimped) onto the aft end of the projectile body  204 . A data acquisition system  208  is attached to the base  206 , thereby disposed within an interior of the data-collecting round  116 . 
   The data acquisition system  208  is typically connected to a plurality of thermocouple connections  210  by way of thermocouple wires  212 . As referenced above, data sensed by the thermocouple connections  210  may be collected and stored within the data acquisition system  208 . 
   In  FIG. 2B , an example of a packaging of the data acquisition system  208  is provided in which a plurality of data loggers  208  are mounted to the base  206  by way of connecting rods  214  and associated packaging components  216 . Characteristics and types of the data loggers  208 , as well as additional or alternative packaging techniques therefore, are described in more detail below, and, in particular, examples are discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
   As already described, then, the data-collecting round  116 , placed as a final round of the magazine  114 , may be cycled through an ammunition loading process of the gun  102 . The data-collecting round  116  is loaded into the chamber  108  immediately after the preceding round  118  is fired. As a result, the data-collecting round  116  generally experiences essentially the operating environment that would be experienced by an actual live round loaded immediately after a firing of the preceding round  118 . 
   Since, however, the data-collecting round  116  notably does not include any triggering mechanism, such as, for example, a mechanism for electro-magnetically transmitting a firing signal, the actual loading of the data-collecting round  116  into the chamber  108  does not cause a firing of the data-collecting round  116 . Instead, the lack of an appropriate firing signal causes a stoppage of the gun  102  while the data-collecting round  116  is loaded within the chamber  108 , so that the data acquisition system  208  may continually collect time and temperature data in situ within the chamber  108 . The absence of live explosive or propellant also ensures that a firing of the data-collecting round  116  will not take place. 
   Once a safe time has passed or the desired duration of data collection has elapsed, the data-collecting round  116  may be removed from the gun  102 . Then, the data acquisition system  208  within the data-collecting round  116  can be connected to a computer, for downloading of the collected data for subsequent analysis. 
   The collected and analyzed data may be useful for a variety of purposes, depending on, for example, the type of data collected or the reason for which the data was collected. For example, when the collected data relates to temperatures detected by the data-collecting round  116  during the processes described above, then the collected temperature data (and related time data) may be analyzed and used to develop safe hot gun misfire procedures. 
   Such hot gun misfire procedures generally refer to procedures that are put into place to be followed by personnel in charge of operating the gun  102 , so as to avoid unexpected reactions from occurring in bore or uncharacteristic firings of the gun  102 . In this context, the following terminology may be used, in which “cook-off” may be said to occur when components of the gun  102  reach a temperature high enough to cause sufficient heat input into a piece of ammunition to cause runaway self-heating to some form of explosive reaction in a loaded round of ammunition, and a “cold gun” condition may be said to exist when temperatures of the gun barrel  106  and a wall of the chamber  108  have not been raised by prolonged firing to a point where cook-off can occur. In contrast, a “hot gun” condition may be said to exist when a temperature of the gun barrel  106  and a wall of the chamber  108  have been raised through prolonged firing to the point where a cook-off may occur. 
   Further, a “hang-fire” may be said to occur when there is a delay beyond the normal ignition time after the initiating action is taken; for example, if the gun  102  were to fire some excessively-long time after a triggering event such as a turning of a firing key. Different than a hang-fire is a misfire, in which the loaded round of the ammunition  104  does not fire at all (in which case a determination must be made as to when and how to clear the gun  102  of the misfired round), and may explode or have an unexpected reaction within the chamber  108 . 
   Using the above terminology, then, it may be seen that occurrence of cook-off and/or misfire when the breech  110  is closed may result in an essentially normal firing of the gun  102 . It may also be seen that occurrence of cook-off and/or misfire when the breech  110  is closed may alternately result in a reaction uncharacteristic of normal firing of the gun  102 , and may result in permanent damage to the gun  102  or a threat to personnel. Cook-off with the breech  110  open, however, may result in injuries and/or damage to the gun  102 , surrounding equipment, and personnel. 
   As a result, the above-referenced hot gun misfire procedures must be used, for example, to inform personnel as to how long to wait after a misfire or possible hang-fire has occurred, before opening the breech  110  and removing the misfired piece of ammunition. A safe clearing time predictor may be used that relies on a sufficiently lengthy time essentially to guarantee safety. 
   During combat or certain other maneuvers, it may be necessary to minimize the clearing time as much as possible without endangering the safety of the operators of the gun  102 , so as to facilitate continued and rapid firing of the gun  102 . In such cases, collection and analysis of time and temperature data by the data-collecting round  116  may be used to determine, for example, when cook-off is likely to occur or not occur, and how long to wait after a misfire before a given level of safety is reached with respect to opening the breech  110  and removing the piece of ammunition. 
   In developing such information and procedures, the data-collecting round  116  may be advantageous in that the relevant temperature/time histories of the data-collecting round  116  are gathered nearly instantaneously after a firing of the preceding round of (live) ammunition, so that, for example, all of the breech components may still be in their fire/misfire positions, and a minimal time will have passed in which heat dissipation may occur. Such instantaneous data-gathering results in realistic representations of the environment within the gun  102 , and is made possible at least in part by the fact that the data-collecting round  116  may be generally loaded into the gun system the exact same way as a normal round would be loaded, and takes no extra time to load than a non-instrumented all-up-round. 
   More particularly, as data acquisition may begin immediately following a live fire event, which may generally be the time period most important in determining the ammunition heating characteristics with respect to cook-off, the described implementations eliminate a time required to wait for the gun mount to be deemed safe for entry (e.g., in the instance of a fully enclosed gun mount) before instrumentation may otherwise be inserted into the gun barrel, hence reducing or eliminating any loss of data immediately after cease fire. 
   Notably, it should be understood that the gun  102  may respond to the stoppage caused by the data-collecting round  116  in a manner essentially similar to what would occur in case of an actual misfire. That is, for example, the data-collecting round  116  may experience a build-up of heat as the data-collecting round  116  sits within the gun  102 . In the case of an actual misfire or hang-fire of live ammunition, such a heat build-up may lead to an eventual firing or other uncharacteristic reaction of the live ammunition, so that actual knowledge of the temperature variations may be useful in developing safe misfire procedures for clearing live ammunition from the gun  102 , when necessary. 
   Further, by allowing the data-collecting round  116  to operate independently once placed in the gun system being evaluated, the safety of operating personnel may be increased, since, for example, user involvement is minimal while the data is collected. In fact, a single user may be able to operate the described implementations, including setup, loading the data-collecting round  116 , and downloading and processing the acquired data. 
   In other words, the self-contained nature of the data-collecting round  116  allows the data-collecting round  116  to cycle completely through a gun handling system and load into a gun barrel with minimal direction or input from the operating personnel, and without interfering with the gun system and/or an ammunition loading mechanism of the gun system. As a result, the described implementations for non-intrusive temperature instrumentation for data acquisition in ammunition allows for the collection of valuable ammunition heating data in an area that may be physically hazardous and without requiring modification of or instrumentation to the generally more expensive gun barrel  106  itself. 
   Additionally, the dispersed nature of the thermocouple connectors  210  within or on the data-collecting round  116  allows for a variety of temperature data points to be collected by the data acquisition system  208 . Such variety in the collected data may allow for improved modeling of the temperature response of the data-collecting round  116 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations of packaging configurations of the data acquisition system  208  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Of course, the illustrated packaging configurations are merely provided as examples, and other configurations also may be used, for example, to accommodate other pieces of ammunition or other types of data acquisition systems. 
   In  FIG. 3A , two data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  are mounted on top of one another within the case  202 . Further in  FIG. 3A , a securing plate  302  is maintained in contact with the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b , in conjunction with the connecting rods  214 , so as to exert pressure on the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  against the base  206 , and thereby provide stability to the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  within the case  202 . 
   Batteries  304   a  and  304   b  are connected to the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b , respectively, so as to provide power thereto. As shown, the batteries  304   a  and  304   b  also are maintained in a stable manner within the case  202  by way of the connecting rods  214  and the securing plate  302 . 
   In  FIG. 3B , the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  are mounted in a parallel configuration, with the batteries  304   a  and  304   b  not being visible in the cut-away view shown. In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the presence of the two data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  allows for, for example, redundancy in case of failure of either one. Additionally, or alternatively, the presence of the multiple data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  allows for the collection of a plurality of different types of data. For example, the data logger(s)  208  may be operable to measure parameters such as humidity, voltage, pressure, shock, velocity, acceleration, an on/off condition of a particular component, or many other events or states that may be present in the described or other environments. And lastly, or alternatively, the presence of multiple data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  allows for the collection of additional channels of data of the same type, where two data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  may be used to collect a twice the number of channels of data instead of the number provided from a single data logger  208 . 
   In some implementations, the data logger(s)  208  refer generally to relatively small devices equipped with a microprocessor, some type of data storage, and sensor inputs for receiving data from the thermocouple connectors  210  (and/or other sensors). As referenced, collected data may be easily viewed by downloading the data to a personal computer, laptop computer, hand-held computer, or other type of computing device, using specifically-designed software, and/or software that is generally applicable to a type of the data logger  208  that is used. In some implementations, the data loggers  208   a  and  208   b  may be off-the-shelf components, and may be connected to the computing device by way of a standard port on the computing device, such as, for example, a serial port or an RS-232 COM port. 
   Similarly, the data logger  208  may be initialized and set-up by way of the same, or similar, software. For example, the data logger  208  may be connected to an appropriate computing device to select desired types of data to be collected, such as one or more of those just referenced, as well as to define certain logging parameters that may include, for example, a data sampling interval of the data logger  208 , or a start time/signal for the data logger  208 . 
   As described, the data logger  208  collects data measurements for storage within the associated data storage, as well as associated time and date information. Once downloaded, the data may be illustrated in graphical form over time, or in tabular form, or may be viewed within a spreadsheet or other data processing application. 
   Various types of data loggers may be used. For example, data loggers may be used that have a single data channel, or many dozens or hundreds of input channels. Depending on needs, more expensive data loggers may be used that have high sampling rates and large amounts of internal memory, or less expensive versions may be used that have lower sampling rates and less internal memory. 
   In some implementations, the data logger  208  may include an 8-channel data logger that may store up to 15,000 or more temperature (or other) data points per channel. The internal memory of the data logger  208  may include, for example, non-volatile, solid-state memory, so that measurements are not lost in the event of loss of battery power. 
   Finally in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , holes  306  within the base  206  may be used to mount the base  206  to the case  202 , using bolts  308 .  FIG. 4  is an illustration of modifications to the case  202  made to accommodate the mounting techniques of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In particular,  FIG. 4  illustrates the use of holes  402  within the case  202 , through which the bolts  308  or other connectors may be connected to the holes  306  of the base  206 . 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate modifications that may made to the body  204  of the data-collecting round  116  of  FIGS. 1A-4  to accommodate instrumentation. In  FIG. 5A , the forward end  502  of the body  204  is connected to an aft end  504  by way of a bushing portion  506  with the same or similar material properties.  FIG. 5B  is a cut-away view of the components  502 ,  504 , and  506  of  FIG. 5A . 
   The forward end  502  and aft end  504  are connected (e.g. welded) to the bushing portion  506  and the case  202  is secured (e.g. crimped) onto the assembled body  204  to form the entire data-collecting round  116 . Of course, many different mounting techniques may be used for the cartridge case, the data acquisition system(s) (e.g., the data logger(s)  208 ), and related components. 
     FIG. 6  is a flowchart  600  illustrating a process for using the data-collecting round  116  of  FIGS. 1A-5 . Although the process is illustrated sequentially, it should be understood that portions of the process may be performed in sequences not specifically illustrated. 
   The thermocouple connectors  210  or other sensing devices may be distributed and deployed within or on a body  204  and cartridge case  202  of the data-collecting round  116 , and connected to the data logger  208 , as well ( 602 ). Then, the data logger  208  is mounted to the base  206  ( 604 ). The base  206 , with the mounted data logger  208 , may then be attached to the cartridge case  202  ( 606 ), so as to dispose the data logger  208  within and the thermocouple connectors  210  within or on the data-collecting round  116 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , the data logger  208  or other data acquisition system is connected to a computing system for initialization, calibration, and/or determination of other relevant parameters, including the amount, extent, or type of data to be measured ( 608 ). Then, the data logger  208  is disconnected from the computing device ( 610 ). 
   In this way, the data-collecting round  116  may be placed into a normal loading process of the gun  102  ( 612 ). For example, the data-collecting round  116  may be placed as the final round within the magazine  114 , so as to be the last round loaded into the chamber  108 . 
   Once loaded into the chamber  108 , the data collecting  116  round is operable. Then, stoppage of the gun  102  is initiated by failure to fire the data collecting round  116  ( 614 ), so as to avoid any attempt to fire the data-collecting round  116 . With the stoppage in effect, the data logger  208  may begin to collect temperature and/or other data ( 616 ). 
   Then, after some time has passed to allow safe access to the interior of the gun  102  or sufficient time has elapsed to collect the desired data ( 618 ), the data-collecting round  116  may be removed from the chamber  108 . In this way, the data logger  208  may be connected to a computer system, and the collected data may be downloaded to the original computing device ( 620 ). 
   If sufficient data has not been collected for a desired purpose ( 622 ), then the process may continue either with replacing the data-collecting round  116  back into a second loading process ( 612 ), or by re-starting the entire process ( 602 ). For example, it may be desirable to determine temperature characteristics of the data-collecting round  116  after different numbers of rounds of the ammunition  104  have been fired from the gun  102 . For example, in a first trial, the data-collecting round  116  may be the n th  of n rounds, and may be the m th  of m rounds in a second trial, and may be the p th  of p rounds in a third trial. In this way, heating characteristics at different points of firings of the magazine(s)  114  may be determined. 
   The collected data may then be used, for example, to determine procedures for clearing live ammunition from hot gun barrels ( 624 ), or to determine other information or procedures that may be useful in operating the gun  102 . In one example, live fire testing is coupled with thermal finite element method (FEM) modeling to evaluate a range of possible scenarios that could lead to a catastrophic result in a hot gun cook-off situation. This testing may use data from a range of hot gun tests, which include multiple-round firing tests to obtain the ammunition heating characteristics, as just referenced. 
   As described above, a piece of ammunition, such as, for example, a projectile, a propelling charge, or an all-up-round/cartridge, may be instrumented with thermocouples or other sensors to enable the collection of the time/temperature histories (or other types of data) of the specific test item. Coupled with an on-board/self-contained data acquisition system, the test article can be setup to collect the data for the duration of the test, with minimal user setup. Once the test article is initiated, it may require no additional user manipulation until the completion of the test. Following a test event, the test article may be connected to a computer to allow the user to download the required data. 
   In the case of temperature/time histories, data may be collected immediately following a live firing event. Such instantaneous data collection may be especially useful in determining the transient ammunition heating characteristics, as well as, for example, in assisting in the validation of thermal FEM models. Once such models are validated, the models may be used in the development of safe hot gun misfire procedures. 
   Such hot gun misfire procedures and/or validated thermal FEM models, as well as other procedures, may be developed for, for example, the 57-mm MK 110 MOD 0 gun, or the 5-in./54 caliber MK 45 MOD 2 gun mount. However, similar concepts may be applicable with respect to a variety of other gun systems, within the Navy, Army, Air Force and other national defense programs (that require similar safety procedures or require ammunition heating data for other purposes), all of which may benefit from the described abilities. Such abilities also are available to expand the described implementations to collect a variety of other types of data in ammunition, or in other standalone hardware. For example, private companies or organizations that design, manufacture, and test gun systems may benefit. Also, other types of data may be measured, such as, for example, acceleration, in order to help gather information on sensitive electronics in fuzes or guidance packages. 
   The described data acquisition systems include stand-alone units with internal data collection. However, if, for example, no electronically-triggered firing mechanisms for live ammunition are present in a particular environment (that is, if a HERO (hazards of electromagnetic radiation on ordnance) sensitive environment is not an issue), then data collected by the data acquisition systems may be transmitted wirelessly over, for example, a radio-frequency signal. 
   Accordingly, data collection techniques are described in which a data-collecting test round is chambered in a hot gun barrel, and data may be collected for defining hazards posed by a hot gun to its ammunition in the event of a misfire or foul bore. The collected data may be used to validate thermal FEM models as a basis for hot gun misfire procedures. 
   Described implementations provide the possibility for an unmanned, safe, and cost-effective way to gather temperature data in an environment that may include the presence of live ammunition or ammunition that may or may not be susceptible to electromagnetic effects. Further, a practical, safe, inexpensive, and efficient manner of gathering data is enabled for, for example, determining the ammunition heating characteristics of a gun system. 
   Although such implementations are described for collecting temperature data for testing of hot gun hazards, the same, similar, or other implementations also may be expanded for usage in other gun systems that may benefit from stand-alone data collection of a variety of types of data with added instrumentation, minimal user manipulation, and ensured safety around ordnance. 
   Further, depending on data requirements, described implementations for standalone systems may be beneficial for use in any environment that is difficult or hazardous to access. Moreover, a high portability is provided, thereby facilitating applications on numerous systems, without being permanently fixed to any one of the systems. 
   While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments of the invention.