PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT TEST OF COMBUSTIBLE CARTRIDGE CASE, 152-MM, XM157 (EFFECT OF FLAREBACK).
Abstract
This product improvement test of the combustible cartridge case, 155-mm, XM157, was conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground to obtain information on flarebacks and relate this information to the possible safety hazard of exposing a cartridge case to an environment which may produce a flareback. The 152-mm gun-launcher, M81, installed in a pilot model of the M551 General Sheridan vehicle was used in the flareback study. Photographic and visual observation along with strategically positioned thermocouples provided most of the data. Firings were conducted to study flareback as influenced by different ignition sources and wind conditions and its effect, in direct exposure, on the combustible cartridge case. Supplementary laboratory tests supplied information on the ignitability of the cartridge case, XM157. The data from these firings and laboratory tests indicate that flarebacks are not likely to ignite stowed rounds; sufficient heat is available from a flareback to ignite a cartridge case in the rear of the gun but only under specific conditions. The probability of occurrence is low. Time did not permit testing at all possible ambient conditions; but it is felt that the conditions of the tests resulted in flarebacks of greater severity than would be expected to occur under service conditions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0816384
Entities
People
- Dean W. Weed