In-bore Dynamic Response Analysis of a SLEKE I Projectile Fired from the Single Shot Gun (SSG) Railgun
Abstract
Recently, Kaman Sciences Inc. experienced an in-bore failure of its Rodman cone projectile design in the single shot gun (SSG) railgun at Maxwell Laboratories as part of the SLEKE projectiles program. This projectile design had been successfully launched from a conventional powder gun at axial acceleration levels exceeding those encountered during the electromagnetic (EM) launch which resulted in the failure. As part of the investigation into this failure, an in-bore dynamics code, RASCAL, was utilized to determine the magnitude of the lateral loads encountered. While RASCAL is capable of computing bending and shear responses, it cannot provide detailed stress and strain data through the projectile. What the analysis did show was that for the EM case, the lateral loads were ten times greater than those typical of conventional gun systems and certainly contributed to the cause of failure. A kink in the rail centerline profile was found to initiate large transverse and pitching accelerations of the projectile. Details of the analysis and the ramifications of bore non-straightness on the Rodman cone projectile design are presented in this report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA283771
Entities
People
- Lawrence W. Burton
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory