ENGINEERING TEST OF SHALLOW KEY SHILLELAGH MISSILE (SAFETY TEST).
Abstract
The Shillelagh Project Manager recommended adopting the shallow key configuration for both M551 and M60A1E1 vehicles. However, since both the gun tube rifling and keyway are machined to the same basic dimension, it was felt that this could pose a safety hazard in that the missile could ride inadvertently within the rifling of the gun tube. Thus, this condition could cause the live missile to detonate or jam within the gun tube. Three missile firings were allocated to evaluate these potential hazards, with one missile being fired at Redstone Arsenal and the two remaining firing tests conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground from 20 April to 12 May 1967. To reduce test costs and sample size, obstructions were placed within the keyway of the tube with instrumentation monitoring pertinent test parameters to determine if a potential safety hazard did exist. The results of these test were satisfactory in all three tests, the missile exited the gun tube with no apparent damage to major gun components. Flash-back resulting from hot combustible gases igniting within the breech were not noted in the two missile firings conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Based on this test, a safety release recommendation was provided to USATECOM. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0818282
Entities
People
- W. G. Swank