Using Synchro-Ballistic Cameras to Determine the Velocity and Spin Rate of High-Velocity Projectiles

摘要

For many years, Sandia Laboratories has been test firing 155-mm and eight-inch projectiles from guns at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. In addition to telemetry data, the projectile velocity is required and, for 155-mm projectiles, the spin rate near the muzzle exit as well. These data are gathered photographically by using two pairs of 35-mm streaking cameras in the synchro-ballistic mode. For backup, velocity is also measured with a Doppler radar system. Because the guns are fired at a nearly vertical elevation, the cameras are mounted on a tower so that their viewpoint is above the muzzle blast. Films from these cameras are processed at the Tonopah Test Range and returned to the Photometrics Division at Sandia's Livermore Laboratory for printing and data analysis. This report discusses the camera equipment and in particular how it is used to obtain velocity and spin data for 155-mm projectiles. 8 figs. (ERA citation 10:025909)