U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. International Test Operations Procedure. 'Vertical Target Accuracy and Dispersion'. Revised

摘要

This International Test Operations Procedure results from agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. This ITOP provides guidance for conducting low-angle test firings against vertical targets to determine accuracy and dispersion of the ammunition for tank guns and artillery weapons. Such firings also permit observation of the strength of design of the projectiles and measurement of time of flight. Although mainly associated with ammunition for direct-fire weapons such as antitank projectiles, vertical target accuracy adn dispersion firing is also used to evaluate artillery/ammunition performance by firing at a near-horizontal direction. A target accuracy test is conducted to ascertain the ability of a projectile or a weapon-ammunition system to center projectile impacts on the point of aim. A target dispersion test is conducted to determine the extent to which projectile impacts spread about the center of impact because of round-to-round variations. Time-of-flight tests provide data to formulate firing tables and to determine down-range velocities that are important relative to the ranges at which armorpiercing projectiles can defeat specified target. Strength-of-design tests(formerly called metal parts security tests) are conducted to assure that projectile components are not unintentionally disturbed during projectile launch and flight.