Ignition Diagnostics of the 120-mm XM859-MP Cartridge
Abstract
The ignition processes occurring in the XM859 High-Explosive Anti- Tank Multi-Purpose (HEAT-MP) cartridge were investigated via simulator diagnostics. The pressure behavior and flamespreading in the simulator chamber, intruded by the complex afterbody of the XM859 projectile, were analyzed in detail. The rounds fired in the study were packed with M30 propellant in two bed configurations: all granular and granular plus slotted stick. Their results were compared. Temperature effects on the ignition processes for these rounds conditioned to 241 K (-32 C) and 228 K (-45 C) were also examined. The results show that the rounds with a slotted stick propellant bed have achieved more effective ignition and their ignition processes are less sensitive to temperature variation from ambient to cold. In all of the cases studied, there was no sign of forming adverse pressure waves at 17 MPa or less which could lead to catastrophic overpressurization in cold temperature environments due to poor ignition and flamespreading. The obturator on one of the rounds conditioned to 241 K (-32 C) and all of the rounds conditioned to 228 K (-45 C) were found to have severe cracks in the circumferential direction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA187867
Entities
People
- Lang-mann Chang
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory