Effectiveness of Incendiary Ammunition Against Aircraft Fuel Tanks
Abstract
The probability of obtaining a kill on an aircraft due to the vulnerability of its fuel system to incendiary projectiles is the product of the probability that a round perforates the tank, the probability that the projectile functions, the probability that the penetrating projectile ignites the fuel after functioning and perforating, the probability that the tank does not self-seal and the probability that a resulting fire causes a kill to the aircraft. These various probabilities have been obtained as functions of striking velocity from firings of incendiary ammunition against gasoline and kerosene filled fuel tanks. Experiments under controlled conditions, designed to study the mechanics of fuel tank ignition, are described and preliminary results presented. A formula is given which utilizes the tabulated data to give the total probability of fuel tank fire in "n" hits on the plane as a function of both the single-shot probability of fire and the probability of fire due to impacting an already leaking fuel cell.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 05, 1948
- Accession Number
- ADA800109
Entities
People
- Arthur Stein
- Mary G. Torsch
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory