Composite Gun Tube Support
Abstract
A composite gun tube support was designed for the main armament of the Future Combat Systems Mounted Combat System (FCS-MCS). The goal was to increase wheelbase for accuracy and to add stiffness to the gun tube while saving as much weight as possible. The initial tube support design was all titanium and weighed 207 lbs. By using composite materials rather than titanium, the tube support was reduced to 67 lbs, for a weight savings of nearly 70%. This paper will discuss the design, fabrication, and testing of the tube support and compare experimental test results with finite element models. The tube support was designed for the FCS-MRAAS (Multi-Role Armament and Ammunition System) Swing Chamber Launcher. The swing chamber launcher provides the benefits of loading while the tube is elevated and stabilized, enabling a much simplified autoloader design, and minimizing weight and space claims. These benefits allow for faster firing rates in a smaller and lighter system. However, there are some drawbacks to this design. In a conventional gun tube design, the chamber would be part of the gun tube and the tube could be gripped in two places, providing an appropriate wheelbase to help with accuracy. With the swing chamber, the tube is screwed into the breech ring and is thus held in only one location. This single support point, though, is insufficient to keep tube deflections at an acceptable level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA432848
Entities
People
- Andrew G. Littlefield
- Joshua B. Root