Methods to Reduce Sand Ejecta from Projectile Impact - a Scaled Study with the Goal of Application to Depleted Uranium Penetrator Catch Boxes.

摘要

Depleted uranium (DU) is used in three penetrator munitions by the U.S. Army, a 25-mm round (M242), 105-mm antitank rounds (M900, M774, M833), and 120-mm antitank rounds (M829, M829A1, M829A2). The last two of these munitions are frequently fired into large catch boxes at two proving grounds Yuma Proving Ground near Yuma, AZ and the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Gamma radiation surveys indicate that during penetrator impact DU ejecta in particulate material are deposited around catch boxes. A scaled version of the catch box was constructed using SACON concrete blocks and construction grade sand. Testing consisted of firing a three-shot salvo from a 50-caliber, Barrett Rifle using standard ball ammunition. Both high-speed Phantom and digital video cameras were used to capture ejecta images during the impact. Ejected sand settled on the capture tarp, where it was collected after shots.