Increasing Range and Lethality of Extended-Range Munitions (ERMS) using Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and the AUV Workbench to Compute a Ballistic Correction (BALCOR)

摘要

Extended-Range Munitions (ERMs) are gun-launched rocket-boosted munitions having an effective range over 27 km. In accordance with Sea Power 21 and the Marine Corps requirements for sea-based fire support, three ERMs are being developed. The purpose of this work is to increase the range and lethality of these munitions by applying environmental effects when computing the projectiles trajectory. A broad review of artillery and munitions literature reveals that historically 66% of ballistic error can be attributed to meteorological factors. The most important factors are wind (speed and direction), temperature, and pressure. It has also been shown that global atmospheric numerical weather prediction (NWP) data typically outperforms the traditional radiosonde data and is suitable for use in ballistic corrections. Forecasted NWP products provided by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanographic Center (FNMOC) are integrated using the Joint Meteorology and Oceanographic (METOC) Broker Language (JMBL) into a Five-Degree of Freedom (5DOF) aerodynamic model within the Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle (AUV) Workbench producing a ballistic correction (BALCOR) for the munition. This new capability can significantly enhance naval gunfire effectiveness since the BALCOR increase the munitions range and the ability apply kinetic energy onto the target rather than using it to maneuver to the target.