Simulation of Shot Impacts for the M1A1 Tank Gun
Abstract
Never has the need for simulation in design of systems been more acute. Today's financial/philosophical environment requires innovative thinking in the business of product development, especially for the big-ticket' ordnance items such as main battle tanks and armament. The manufacturing costs of these items and related components prohibit use of the classical method of product development. This method, which is an iterative process, includes initial design, prototype manufacture, system testing, and redesign. As a result, considerable time and money is invested for manufacturing and testing of prototype components. We need to rethink the use of this loop if we are to remain competitive and reduce the cost of development. The answer lies in the use of a new class of electronic computational product development functions, namely, virtual performance simulation (VPS), validation by component testing (VCT), and scale model manufacture by stereo lithographic fabrication (STL). By using these methods, prototype manufacture and physical testing phases are minimized and replaced by STL and VPS. Costs are greatly reduced since the system components reside in virtual space, allowing for rapid electronic design changes and performance ratings by simulation rather than physical testing. In the end, hardware must eventually be manufactured and tested; however, this may be done after a considerable number of excursions' through VPS and STL.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA379086
Entities
People
- Mark Costello
- Ronald Gast
- Steven Morris
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center