Army Armored Systems: Advanced Field Artillery System Experiences Problems with Liquid Propellant
Abstract
This report deals with the Army's Advanced Field Artillery System (AFAS) program. In designing this new artillery system, the Army decided to use a liquid propellant (LP) rather than a solid or powder propellant that has traditionally been used in artillery guns. This was a major departure from the normal development of an artillery system. The Army's AFAS program originated in the early 1980s as part of a broader Army program to modernize its armored forces. The program includes the development and integration of the gun and its vehicle. The AFAS will be the first LP gun ever to be developed and fielded. Firing the gun involves the ignition and burning of LP to build pressure in the gun chamber and launch the projectile. Control of the LP ignition and burning process is fundamental to the new technology because the projectiles and the cannon could be damaged if excessive pressure is generated during the process. Because of technological concerns with the LP gun, the Army also included the concurrent development of a solid propellant gun, called a unicharge gun, in the AFAS program's acquisition strategy. The AFAS program is currently in the concept exploration and definition phase of the acquisition cycle. During this phase, the Army explores alternatives, defines the most promising concepts, develops information to identify high-risk areas, and composes an acquisition strategy and objectives for cost and scheduling milestones. Before exiting the concept exploration and definition phase, the Army must demonstrate that the AFAS program is affordable in the long term and its technical concepts are achievable
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA286339
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office