Reduction of 40-mm Muzzle Blast and Flash for AC-130 Gunship

Abstract

Muzzle devices for reducing the blast and flash levels received by the AC-130 gunship were investigated. A noise suppressor design decreased the blast levels only minimally while the flash level increased compared to the standard flash hider. Extension tubes with 6-inch and 8-inch exit diameters were also tried with no better results. A flash hider with an 8-inch exit diameter brought the flash levels down to new lows but the peak overpressure levels on the airplane were not improved. Finally, a 22-inch barrel extension was tried. The use of a barrel extension resulted in decreased levels of flash and reduced peak overpressure at all microphones except one positioned in the most forward position. Muzzle blasts, Muzzle flash, Interior ballistics, Muzzle devices, Shock waves.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA285870

Entities

People

  • Kevin S. Fansler
  • Raymond Von Wahlde

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Airplanes
  • Ammunition
  • Ballistics
  • Commerce
  • Diameters
  • Engineering
  • Interior Ballistics
  • Manufacturing
  • Military Research
  • Muzzle Flash
  • Overpressure
  • Projectiles
  • Shock Waves
  • Standards
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • ballistics.