A Thermal Performance Study of the 155mm XM297 Actively Cooled Barrel
Abstract
The Crusader Self Propelled Howitzer will employ an actively cooled 155mm cannon to meet its high rate of fire performance requirements. The actively cooled cannon includes both integral mid-wall cooling of the barrel's chamber region, and outer surface cooling for the remaining length of the barrel. A thermal study was conducted to better understand the thermal performance characteristics of the actively cooled 155mm XM297 barrel under severe firing conditions. Thermal calculations were made using the FDHEAT gun tube heat transfer model which was modified to include an cooling capability. The FDHEAT program models the effects of the barrel heating due to round firing, radial and axial conduction within the barrel wall, convective and radiative cooling, and heat removal by the active cooling system. The study identified an optimum radiator size for the cannon and also showed that, compared to an un-cooled barrel, an actively cooled cannon has superior performance characteristics for firing engagements involving multiple, high rate of fire missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA586742
Entities
People
- Mark D. Witherell
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center