The Effect of Sabot Wheelbase and Position on the Launch Dynamics of Fin-Stabilized Kinetic Energy Ammunition
Abstract
A test program was performed to determine the effects of changes in sabot wheelbase and position on the launch dynamics of fin-stabilized kinetic energy penetrators. The launch sequence was measured; the measurements covered the gun dynamics, transitional ballistics and free-flight aeroballistics of the projectile trajectory. All of the projectile jump components were measured independently, summed and the result compared with the projectile impact on the target. The dispersion of each of the components was computed and compared to the target impact dispersion. The dispersion computed using the dispersion model compared well with the target impact dispersion. Both low and high dispersion was observed for the different configurations. Low dispersion was the result of strong biases or low component magnitudes. Each configuration responded differently to the inbore launch sequence; therefore, the key to understanding the origins of the dispersion phenomenon lies in understanding the inbore dynamic response of sabot/penetrator designs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA234945
Entities
People
- Ilmars Celmins
- Jonathan A. Bornstein
- Peter Plostins
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory