Characterization of Ignition Systems for Bagged Artillery Charges

摘要

The past decade has witnessed substantial effort in modeling the gun interior ballistic cycle as an unsteady, two-phase flow problem. Recently, emphasis has been placed on extending modeling expertise to account for the multi-dimensionality of the problem and improving the constitutive relationships embedded in the models. As the models become more complex, the requirement for accurate, well-defined data to use for computer code input and model verification becomes increasingly urgent. In particular, one critical element, identified in many past studies, is the functioning of the igniter system, since it has been shown that events that occur during ignition and flamespread can seriously impact overall charge performance. Indeed, the sophisticated models we see today were largely precipitated by a series of gun ammunition malfunctions, which were in many cases attributable to ignition-related causes. Variability of performance is especially of concern in bagged artillery charges, which employ low-pressure igniters. Thus we are faced with the dual task of providing relevant data to the modeling community and presenting the charge designers with the information and tools to arrive at safe and reliable ignition systems.