Introduction to Weapon & Ammunition

WEAPON & AMMUNITION

The trend in the warfare decides the trends in weapon & armament developments.

Armament is a mechanism that enables warfighters to inflict damage to enemy targets to a degree that will inhibit the enemy’s ability to engage in the further act of warfare.

Weapon is any means by which one contends against another.

DOMINATED BY MUSCULAR POWER

DOMINATED BY TECHNOLOGY

WEAPON DEVELOPMENTWEAPON DEVELOPMENT

• Human endeavors.• Biological inspiration

– Learning from the Animal World• Sensing, Learning and Reasoning Capabilities: Smart & Intelligent• Alert even when not Active: Sleep Mode• Adaptation, Camouflage and Concealment• Communications

– Cooperative Behaviour• Common Goal• Individual / Team Work Behaviour• Intra Group Communication

• Battlefield environment & Target developments.• Doctrinal and other influences

– Availability of technology with in the country – Political and Social Developments– Global and National Policies and Treaties– Self Reliance, Globalisation of Technology Sources– Legality, Ethical consideration, etc

• Technology evolution/ revolution process.• Amalgamation of Technology with Engineering.

MAJOR FACTORSMAJOR FACTORS

CHARACTERISTIC WEAPON

COUNTERMEASURES

BATTLEFIELD REQUIREMENTS

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

THREATSPECTRUM

CHARACTERISTICWEAPON

Adaptation to accelerated pace of military operations. Applications at all places. Increased target damage capability. Higher life cycle to encounter futuristic threats.

WEAPON SYSTEM REQUIREMENTWEAPON DYNAMICS• The ability to launch a weapon with sufficient

energy and structural stability for it to reach its intended target.

WEAPON CONTROL• The ability to guide a weapon from the launch

point to its intended end point.

TARGET DEFEAT• The ability of the weapon, when delivered to its

intended end point, to inflict required degree of damage to its target.

WEAPON IN OPERATIONWEAPON IN OPERATION

LAUNCH ATMOSPHERIC FLIGHT

FUN

CTI

ON

ING

Bursting of Projectile

Projectile

Cartridge

Range

Ballistic Trajectory

Weapon Target

Projectile

Muzzle Blast Projectile Burst

Ammunition Before Firing

ELEMENTS OF WEAPON SYSTEM• Projectile/ Payload/ Warhead/ Kill Mechanism

– Kinetic Energy, Chemical Energy, Electro-magnetic Energy• Trajectory/ Flight path/ Ballistic/ Dynamics

– Unguided, Guided• Propulsion

– Impulse Based (Gun), Reaction Based (Rocket)• Launcher

– Tube, Rail, Pod• Platform

– Land, Sea, Air, Space, Buried• Sensor, Control & Guidance

– Fire Control Systems• Surveillance & Target Acquisition

– Fixed Tgt• Satellite, Intelligence

– Emitting Tgt• Early Warning Systems

– Mobile Tgt• Visual, EO&IR, Radar, MMW, Acoustic, Seismic, Magnetic, Electro Magnetic,

Laser

INFANTRY

ARTILLERY

ARMOURED VEHICLES

LAND BASED SYSTEMS

ARMY: LAND BASED

WEAPON SYSTEMS

INFANTRY

SMALL ARMSSHOULDER FIRED

MISSILES / PROJECTILES

MORTARS

WEAPON SYSTEMS

ARTILLERY

AD ARTY

SELF PROPELLEDTOWED

FIELD ARTILLERY

MBRS MORTARS

SELF PROPELLEDTOWED

FREE FLIGHTGUIDED

TOWEDSELF PROPELLED

ALL WEATHERFAIR WEATHERMUNITIONSCONVENTIONALSMART

ARTY MUNITIONSCONVENTIONALICMPGM

AMMUNITIONCONVENTIONAL SMART

WEAPON SYSTEMS

ARMOURED VEHICLES

TANKS ICVs

ARMAMENTS : PRIMARYARMAMENTS : SECONDARY

CE & KE AMMUNITION

WEAPON SYSTEMS

LAND BASED SYSTEMS

MINES MINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

WEAPON SYSTEMS

NAVY & AIR FORCE

NAVALSEA BASED

AIR FORCE AIR BASED SYSTEMS

WEAPON SYSTEMS

WEAPON TECHNOLOGY

Aero dynamics

Ballistics

Chemical Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Electronics

Explosive Science

Gun Technology

Instrumentation

Material Science

Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronics

Modern physics

Model/Simulation Studies

Opto-electronics

Production Technology

Propulsion Technology

Rapid prototyping

Space Science

Structural Engineering

Virtual Reality

Others

TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVED IN WEAPON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

ARMAMENTS

Weapons Ammunition

• Weapon and Ammunition are two complementary and derivative systems.

• The design and operational features are derived from the capabilities and limitations of both of them.

• An effective weapon system will have an optimal match of both the weapon and ammunition characteristics.

AMMUNITION

WEAPON AND AMMUNITION

WEAPON

ANY WEAPON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PLAN SHOULD

ESSENTIALLY LOOK INTO ASPECTS OF BOTH WEAPON

AND AMMUNITION ABILITIES.

ANY WEAPON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PLAN SHOULD

ESSENTIALLY LOOK INTO ASPECTS OF BOTH WEAPON

AND AMMUNITION ABILITIES.

Various Types of Ammunition

Introduction to Ammunition• Munition is anything that can be used in war• Any munition of war

– Defensive or Offensive– Shot or Shell

• Explosive, Smoke, Chemical, Incendiary, Pyrotechnic, Inert

• Training, Practice, Drill

• Ammunition is the generic term for all devices from a– Pistol bullet to a high velocity KE antitank projectile– Hand thrown grenade (25m) to a artillery shell (>40km)– Illuminating rocket to an intercontinental ballistic missile A device charged with explosives, propellant, pyrotechnic,

initiating composition or nuclear, biological or chemical material for use in connection with offence or defence, including demolition

It includes ammunitions used for training, ceremonial or non-operational purposes

• Historical Background– Requirement of ammunition

• Man’s need to kill, either to feed himself or to protect himself

– Ammunition projection• To overcome the problem of distance between himself and his quarry• To put distance between himself and his adversary• Throw of simple missiles: Stones, Spears

– Dependant on strength of each individual man

• Bows and slings: Increased Range and Hitting or Stopping Power• Development of simple mechanical devices to store energy

– Catapulta, Ballista, Crossbow– Heavier and larger missiles thrown with Greater force over a Longer range

• Explosive projection: Gunpowder

Refinement of gunpowder in thirteenth century, revolutionised the concepts of warfare and changed the strategies and tactics

Industrial revolution in eighteenth and nineteenth century provided necessary impetus for the development of explosives

Manufacture of high explosives: Beginning of conventional modern warfare

Introduction to Ammunition

• Purpose of Ammunition– To provide a required target effect at a selected target

• Interaction with the target• Purpose of interaction: Offensive, Defensive or Practice

• Categories of Ammunition– Reach up to target: CE Ammunition

– Reach on target: KE Ammunition

– Burst after target: Bunker bursting, Runway bursting

• Means of delivering ammunition– Thrown by hand or non explosive mechanical means

– Explosive projection : Gun, Mortar

– Self propulsion : Guided and unguided Rockets, Torpedoes

– Hand placed : Demolition charge

– Left to be initiated remotely orby the target itself : Mines, Booby traps


• Target– It is an object or part of it whose intended functionality is to be defeated

• DamageHarm / injury to

– Functionality

– Value

– Comfort

– Safety

– Serviceability

• Defeat of Target– Energy Input in excess of what can be dissipated by the target

• Magnitude, Rate of Transfer

– Kill mechanisms• KE, Blast, Fragmentation, P Charge (EFP) , Shaped Charge (Hollow Charge)• Lasers, Information, Non Lethal

– Sources of Energy• Kinetic Energy• Chemical Energy


What is ammunition?• Ammunition is that part of munition which

interacts with the target to give the desired target effect.

– Part of Munition : Functional and operational characteristics of launcher and ammunition are interdependent.

– Purpose of Interaction : Offensive, Defensive, Practice and Drill

– Target : Object whose functionalities are to be dysfunctioned

– Target Effect: Damage Level on target

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PEOPLEMANNED AND UNMANNED VEHICLES ARMOURED VEHICLESSTRUCTURESEQUIPMENTAIRBORNE SYSTEMSSURFACE AND UNDER WATER SYSTEMSBURIED SYSTEMSSPACE BASED SYSTEMS

TARGET TARGET CATEGORIESCATEGORIES

ATTACK MECHANISM ATTACK MECHANISM

HOW MUCH? HOW FAST?

TARGETINPUT RESPONSE

SHORT TERMDYNAMICS

TARGETEVOLUTION

DAMAGE IS DUE TO INTERNALLY

STORED ENERGY

DAMAGE IS DUE TO INTERNALLY

STORED ENERGY

INPUTPOWER

DISSIPATEDPOWER

BY TRANSFER OF ENERGY TO TARGET

TARGET DAMAGETARGET DAMAGE

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3D computation of a bullet impacting a ceramic-metal targetThe ceramic (AlN) is on the top and the metal (Al) is on the bottom. The projectile

impacts at a 45-degree obliquity. The computation shows the complex fracture pattern that occurs from impact and penetration.

DAMAGE DAMAGE EVOLUTIONEVOLUTION


Path of an unstable projectile in soap

KILL KILL MECHANISMSMECHANISMS

KILL MECHANISM INITIATION

KILL MECHANISM FORMATION TRAVEL TO

TARGET

TARGET INTERACTION

TARGET DAMAGETARGET ATTACK TARGET ATTACK

KILL MECHANISMS KILL MECHANISMS

BLAST

FRAGMENTATION

HOLLOW CHARGE

KINETIC ENERGY

NON - LETHALNON - LETHAL

DIRECTED ENERGYDIRECTED ENERGY

INFORMATIONINFORMATION


PRIMARYPRIMARY UPCOMINGUPCOMING

Well Known Classification of HE Charges

• Blast charge

According to the mode of operation, broadly grouped in to 3 basic types of high explosive (HE) charges :

• Fragmentation charge

• Shaped charge

Energy transmitted through shock waves.

Energy transmitted through fragments of metal casing.

Energy transmitted through metal jet.


Fragmentation

Hollow Charge Kinetic Energy

• Kinetic Energy– Energy derived by virtue of

its motion– Requirement of secondary

source of energy: Propellant– Dissipates energy on

impact: Positive interaction with target

– Does not require a triggering device to control the energy release: No fuze

– Always armed: No safety and arming mechanism

– Direct fire only

• Chemical Energy– Energy released by virtue of

chemical bonding / reaction of Explosive substance: Has considerable potential energy relative to its mass

– Primary source of energy– No requirement of positive

interaction with target– Energy released when

suitably initiated: Fuze - Trigger mechanism

– Armed after a safe distance– Can be used in indirect fire

CHOICE OF AMMUNITION

AMMUNITION PROJECTILES

Kinetic Energy Projectile

Chemical Energy Projectile

Arm our P iercing

APDS

APFSDS

APFSSDS

Kinetic Energy

Blast

NaturalNotchedPreform ed

Discrete RodContinuous Rod

Rod Cluster

Deform able

Fragm entation

Linear ChargeHem i Charge

Shaped Charge Plate Charge

HESH

Chem ical Energy

Kill Mechanism

AMMUNITION AND KILL MECHANISM

Essentials of Ammunition– Projectile

• Solid• Shell

– Payload

– Propellant– Primer– Propellant Container

• Cased Charge• Bagged Charge

PRINCIPLES OF AMMUNITION FUNCTIONING

• Bursting

• Emission

• Ejection

• Projection

• Penetration

FILLINGS USED IN AMMUNITION

• High Explosive• Pyrotechnic

– Smoke– Signal– Illuminating– Flare– Incendiary

• Propaganda• Non lethal• Electronic• Decoy• Jammer• NBC• Practice or Drill

Ammunition Design Considerations

• It should be able to withstand the conditions due to launch environment– Strength of Design– Bore Safety

• It should be able to reach to the target– Projectile Aerodynamics– Projectile Dynamics

• Trajectory, Range, Stability etc

• It should be able to damage the target– End Game Kinematics– Target Interaction– Kill Mechanism Formation

Ballistic components

Pressure- Space curve

Forces acting on a projectile while Firing

Spin

Explosive Pressure

Set back

Band Pressure

Gas Pressure

Set upAny setup after firing is a critical defect

Weight

Lift

Drag

Velocity

Trajectory

Range

Height

Body Axis

Projectile Dynamics

• Trajectory – path described by c.g.

• Projectile motion – External forces and

moments

• External Forces– Gravity– Aerodynamic– Propulsive

• External Moments– Aerodynamic– Propulsive

Role of Gravity• Gravity is fully conservative field.

– Work done against gravity can be converted into KE.– Can be used for energy storage like battery.

• Gravity gives curvature to Trajectory.– Indirect target engagement at different ranges. – Trajectory shaping by initial launch conditions.

• Gravity always directed towards the center of earth.– Can be used as reference for navigation along the trajectory in the

indirect fire.– Surface to Surface engagement.

• Gravity is deterministic – Can be precisely calculated at any position.– Weapon developed at any location can be used from another location

by giving corrections.• Gravity centric warfare

– Controlling forces imparted to manipulate over gravity.– Trajectories other than ballistic trajectories to produce surprise.

Projectile Dynamics

FLOW FIELD AROUND RIFLE

BULLET AT M=2.5

Projectile drag

Projectile Aerodynamics

APDS Shot in action

2-D FLOW FIELDS

Projectile Aerodynamics

Comparative Plot of Simulation Result & Range Table Data for 130mm HE Service

Shell

Projectile DynamicsDIAT Aero Model

Comparative Plot of Simulation Result & Range Table Data for 130mm HE Service

Shell

Projectile DynamicsDIAT Aero Model

DETECTION/ FUZING/ FRAGMENT EJECTION & TIME DELAY

End Game Kinematics

Proximity Forward Looking

FUZE

Blast Fragmentation KE Rod Deformable Aimed

Shaped Charge Gimbal P-Charge

WARHEAD

Cross Angle Velocity Angle of Attack Altitude

ENGAGEMENT

FUZE PERFORMANCE

END GAME LOGIC

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Subsystem and System

Probabilities

Geometric Model of Internal &

External Components

Test Data & Hydrocode

Analysis

Projectile Dynamics

Guidance, Autopilot, Terminal Engagement,

Trajectory Shaping

Vulnerability Criteria

Penetration Equation

Blast Model

Direct Hit Model

END GAME ENCOUNTER MODEL

Material Catalogue

Drawing

Pressure Margin

Inertia, Geometry, Aero Characteristics

Stability

Stable

Strength

Safe

Inbore Dynamics

Flight Dynamics

Requirement

Atmosphere Model

Gun Characteristics

Objectives & Constraints

Trajectory

Range

Prototype & Trials

PROJECTILE DEVELOPMENT

FLOW CHART

Y

Y

Y

N

N N

• Artillery ammunition• Mortar ammunition• Small arms ammunition• Tank / anti tank ammunition• Grenades• Mines• Rockets and Missiles• Pyrotechnic stores• Demolition charges• Bombs: Guided, Unguided• Torpedoes• Carrier ammunition• Cargo ammunition• Smart and Intelligent munitions

Categories of Ammunition

Gun (Artillery) Ammunition

ServiceTarget / PracticeDrillBlank

Service Use

High ExplosiveArm our P iercingChemicalSm okeIllum inatingCanisterSpecial

Tactical Use

FixedSemifixedSeparate

Cased Charge

FabricM odular

Bagged Charge

M ethod of Containing Propellant

Artillery Am m unition

High Explosive Projectile

• Methods of operation– Bursting– Base Ejection– Nose Ejection– Base Emission

Carrier Projectiles

Bursting Type

Carrier Projectile

Cargo Projectile

Mortar Ammunition

• Types– High Explosive– Fragmentation– Sub-Munition

• Hollow Charge• Terminal Guidance

– Smoke– Illuminating– Propaganda– Practice and Drill

Mortar Bomb

Primary and Secondary Charges

Mortar Ammunition

Small Arms Ammunition

Typical RoundJacketed Envelop

Anti-Tank Ammunition

APAPDSAPFSDSAPFSSDS

Kinetic Energy

HEATHESHP Charge

Chem ical Energy

Anti-Tank Am m unition

Kinetic Energy Attack of ArmourPenetrative Path of Shot

Evolution of A/Tk Ammunition

FSAPDS Ammunition

High Explosive Anti Tank Ammunition

Jet Formation from HEAT Ammunition

HESH Shell

HESH Effect

High Explosive Squash Head Ammunition

Grenades

• Anti - Personnel Grenade– Hand Thrown– Rifle Projected

• Anti Armour Grenade• Smoke Grenade

– for Screening and Signalling

• Irritant Chemical Grenade– for Riot Control

• Stun Grenade– for Counter Terrorist Operations

Grenades

NaturalPre - Form ed

Fragm entation

OffensivePracticeTraining / Dum my

Service Use

DefensiveOfensive

High Explosive

ChemicalSm okeIncendiary

Tactical Use

Autom atic Dealy TimeContact Grenades

Tim e of Functioning

Hand ThrownProjected

M ode of Projection

Grenades

Grenades

Hand Grenade

Grenades

Anti Tank Grenade : Rifle Grenade

Mines

• Waits for the Enemy to come• No mis-distance• Target activated• Categories

– Anti personnel– Anti-tank

• Belly Attack• Track Cutting• Off Route

Rocket

• Free Flight

• Larger payload

• Longer Range

• Area Damage

RESUPPLY CHAIN

3 RV 6 LCR

Command Post

FDR

MET radar

PINAKA MBRLS WEAPON SYSTEMPINAKA MBRLS WEAPON SYSTEM

Trends in Ammunition Development

• Enhanced Lethality– Preformed Fragments– Bomblets– Top attack– Better Explosives

• Improved Aerodynamics– Streamlined body : Full bore– Base Bleed– Rocket Assistance

• Precision Munition– Guided Trajectory (GPS, INS, Laser)– Course Corrected Munition

• Smart Munition– Sensor Fuzed Munition– Terminally Guided Munition

Pre-Formed Fragment HE Projectile

– Dual purposearmour defeating andanti personnel bomblets

– Each Bomblet contains• HEAT to attack armour• Pre-notched inside wall for

controlled fragmentation effects against personnel

– Carrier projectiles can also be used to remotely deliver small mines: Minelets

Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM)

Longer BarrelHigher Cham berPressure

Im proved W eaponPerform ance

Aerodynam icOptim isationBase BleedExternal Burning

Reduced Drag

Spin StabilisedFin Stabilised

Sub CalibreDiscarding Sabot

Im proved BallisticCoeffic ient

Rocket AssistedProjectileRam jet BoostedProjectiles

Post FiringBoost

Extended Range by

Extended Range Projectiles

EXTENDED RANGE FULL BORE (ERFB)

PRINCIPLE

To minimise nose drag in supersonic velocity zone by streamlining the frontal nose portion of the projectile.

TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVED

Design of long ogive streamlined shell body.

Selection of high strength material.

Machining of long ogive body with nubs.

Selection of high energy explosive to achieve optimum terminal effects.

EXTENDED RANGE FULL BORE WITH BASE BLEED

PRINCIPLE

To reduce the base drag by increasing base pressure with ejection of heavy gases in wake region of the shell.

TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVED

Development of Base Bleed propellant.

Development of suitable hardware to withstand high firing stresses.

Integrating of BB unit with ERFB shell body.

PROJECTILE WITH BASE BLEED

EFFECT OF BOAT TAILING

VELOCITY-ENHANCED LONG RANGE PROJECTILE

PRINCIPLE

Enhancing range of ERFB/ BB shell with Rocket assistance.

TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED

Development of rocket unit.

Integration of rocket with ERFB/ BB shell.

• Cased Charge– Propellant housed in a case

– Obturation by cartridge case

– Primer for initiation• Integral to case

– Cartridge acts as barrier for heat

– High rate of fire

– Auto loading• Fixed case

– Bulky for heavy calibres• Limited employability

– High Cost• Metallic cases

• Bagged Charge– Propellant housed in bags

– Obturation by breech mechanism

– Tube for initiation• Just tube can be replaced in the

case of misfire

– No barrier for heat• Thermal erosion of chamber• Risk of premature ignition• Coating inside the chamber

– Debatable rate of fire

– Not suitable for auto loading

– Heavy calibre application

– Economical in transport and storage

– Cheap and easier to manufacture

Charge Systems

• Charge Weight (Various Charges in Service)

– Normal Service Charge– Full Service Adjusted Charge– Super Charge– Reduced Charge– Super Velocity Charge– Composite Charge– Fractional Charge– Blank Charge– Paper Shot Charge– Proof Charge– Clearing Charge– Intermediate Charge Increments– Equivalent Full Charge (EFC)

Charge Systems

• Charge Weight (Various Charges in Service)

– Normal Service Charge• Based on ballistic calculations

• Given in range tables

• Velocity of Adjustment (V of A)

– Actual trials and measurement of velocity– Charge weight slightly adjusted to get intended velocity

– Full Service Adjusted Charge• Variation in characteristics of propellant in each lot

• Each lot tested for intended velocity

– Charge weight slightly adjusted to get intended velocity• Charge weight varies from lot to lot for the given velocity

– Super Charge• Charge is more than full charge

• Service pressure < Super charge pressure < Design pressure

Charge Systems

– Reduced Charge• Lesser charge weight

– Lower gun wear• Practice purposes

– Super Velocity Charge• Normal charge as used for HE round• Higher velocity obtained with APDS, APFSDS rounds

– Composite Charge• Combination of various charges• To keep ABC with in designed limits

– Fractional Charge• Applicable for BL charge system• Divided charges, less than normal charge• Ease of handling

– Blank Charge• No projectile• Normally filled with gunpowder only to simulate noise

Charge Systems

– Paper Shot Charge• To test recoil system

– Proof Charge• P1 is 115% of design pressure

– For testing of ammunition components• P2 is 120% of design pressure

– For testing of gun components: Barrel, mountings

– Fired only once during the life of the gun

– Clearing Charge• 2/3 of the normal service charge• for clearing the jammed projectile

– Intermediate Charge Increments• To obtain intermediate ranges by varying muzzle velocity• Full charge mass is divided in steps

– Full range is divided equally

– 10% range overlapping

» To cater for variations in ammunition and avoid dead zone (Grey area)

– Different charge types (tubular, hepta tubular etc) and charge weights are used

Charge Systems

– Equivalent Full Charge (EFC)• Standard charge for a gun in terms of which the Probable Life of the gun is

assessed• It is a charge which will fire standard service projectile with full charge muzzle

velocity• Life of gun is specified in terms of number of EFCs

– EFC life of a barrel is the number of full charges which bring the gun to prescribed condemning limit of wear

» Life of barrel is specified in four quarters of wear– Determined practically by many firings from many guns– EFC value depends not only on quantity of charge fired, but also

type of propellant used e.g. Hotter or Cooler burning propellants– Firing details are recorded by crew and sentencing of life is done

based on actual dimensions Used for planning timely replacement of barrels, war reserves and production

targets Applying correction to ranges based on data compiled in range tables

depending on extent of wear

Charge Systems

Cartridge Case• Functions

– Hold and protect the charge– Efficient obturation– Easy loading and Extraction– Housing of primer

• Properties– Strong– Ductile– Compatibility

• Material– Brass– Steel– Aluminium– Plastics– Combustible

Manufacture Ingots Strips (Rolling) Circular Disks (Punching) Cold Drawing

A number of drawing operations interspersed by annealing and cleaning

Heading Tapering of case Necking Reducing thickness of mouth Grooving / rimming the base Boring, threading for primer Finished case

1/3

Manufacture of Brass Case

Attachment of Projectile

Cartridge Case 2/3

Cartridge Case• Functioning of Cartridge Case

– Operating chamber pressure > 340 MPa– Both cartridge case and chamber wall expand radially outwards under the action of gas pressure– Yield strength of barrel material >> Yield strength of cartridge case– The cartridge case of thin section will follow the expansion of the steel chamber, which will restrict its

dilation– Chamber, after expanding, will revert to its previous dimensions, not having exceeded its elastic limit

but,– Cartridge case may or may not return to its original dimensions– Initial clearance between the chamber wall and cartridge case

• To allow the case to enter the chamber

– Permanent setup of cartridge case > initial clearance• Interference: Extraction is difficult or sometimes impossible

– Easy extraction is a function of• Yield strength of chamber and cartridge case materials• Operating pressure• Chamber wall thickness• Chamber wall temperature• Initial clearance between chamber wall and cartridge case

3/3


• Design Requirements– Tactical performance

• Target effect

– Ballistic performance• Stability, Shape, Carrying power, Range, Accuracy

– Safety• Strength: Firing Stresses

• Loading: No premature detonation of shell

• Handling and transportation

– Economy in manufacture• Mass production

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High Explosive Projectile2/6


Forces acting on a projectile

Projectile drag

3/6


• Driving Band– Primary Functions

• Forward obturation

• Spin to projectile

– Secondary Functions• Centering of projectile

• Rear bearing

• Preventing slip back of projectile at high elevations

• Allows gas pressure to buildup

– High grade Copper or Gilding metal

4/6

High Explosive ProjectileManufacture of HE Shell 5/6

High Explosive ProjectileFilling of HE Shell 6/6

Carrier Projectiles– Relies on its payload to give the desired effect at the target

• Smoke, Illuminating, Propaganda, Radar Echo, Incendiary• Anti-Personnel

– Steel fragments: Sphere, Cylinder, Cube, Wedge etc– Flechette projectiles

– Projectile body merely used a carrier

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Carrier ProjectilesCased Shot 2/5

Carrier Projectiles2/5

• Methods of operation– Bursting– Base Ejection– Nose Ejection– Base Emission

Carrier Projectiles

Bursting Type

3/5

Carrier ProjectilesBase Ejection Type

4/5

Carrier Projectiles

Base Emission Type

Canister Type

5/5

ICMs, ERPs, TGMs and TGSMs

– Development of conventional gun fired ammunition for the future• More effective in terms of lethality, increased range and accuracy

– Ability to hit the enemy in the greatest possible depth

– Tactical flexibility• More targets within the range• Ability to concentrate or disperse the fire power

– Indirect fire artillery to engage armoured targets more effectively Improved Conventional Munitions (ICMs) Extended Range Projectiles (ERPs) Terminally Guided Munitions (TGMs) Terminally Guided Sub-Munitions (TGSMs)

Improved Conventional Munitions

– Designed to give improved performance• Compared with standard HE Shell against hard and semi hard targets

– Tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers

– Precision and high degree of lethality

• Improved performanceby placing a number of

– Lethal sub munitions in a carrier type projectile• Bomblets

• Minelets

– Pre-fragments around an HE filling

1/3


American M483 Bomblet round 88 Dual purpose armour defeating and anti personnel

grenades or bomblets Each Bomblet contains

HEAT to attack armour Pre-notched inside wall for controlled

fragmentation effects against personnel

Carrier projectiles can also be used to remotely deliver small mines: Minelets

Carrier Shell

2/3


Bomblet Projectile

3/3


Pre-Formed Fragment HE Projectile

3/3


Remote Anti Armour Mine

3/3

Longer BarrelHigher Cham berPressure

Im proved W eaponPerform ance

Aerodynam icOptim isationBase BleedExternal Burning

Reduced Drag

Spin StabilisedFin Stabilised

Sub CalibreDiscarding Sabot

Im proved BallisticCoeffic ient

Rocket AssistedProjectileRam jet BoostedProjectiles

Post FiringBoost

Extended Range by

Extended Range Projectiles1/2


Extended Range Full Bore

2/2

Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed

Extended Range Projectiles2/2

Bomblet Projectile Base Bleed


Rocket Assisted Projectile

Base Bleed Projectile

2/2

Terminally Guided Munitions– TGMs are also known as Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) or Cannon Launched Guided

Projectile (CLGP)– American 155mm Copperhead Projectile

• Laser Designator and Seeker– To indicate and fix the target for the projectile to home on

• Shaped charge warhead capable of destroying MBT• 16km range

– TGM Projectile incorporates• Warhead (usually HEAT), Guidance and Control systems, Gyro, Power Supplies, etc

– TGMs are• Complex and expensive systems• Depend on additional and expensive target illuminating systems

– Requires a dedicated communications link with guns

– Performance of first generation TGMs are degraded by• Bad weather, enemy weapons fire, smoke and dust• Easy to counter by jamming and electro-optical measures aimed specifically at defeating the

guidance link

1/3

Terminally Guided Munitions

Terminally Guided Munition155mm Copperhead

2/3


155mm Copperhead in action

3/3

Terminally Guided Sub-Munitions• Concept

– A time fuzed shell ejects three or four sub-munitions over the target area– each sub-munition is programmed to search a large area of ground for

an armoured target– Once aligned with the target it fires an EFP(Explosively Formed

projectile) which is capable of penetrating a relatively thin top armour likely to replace CLGP Simpler and cheaper Possibility of rapidly destroying large numbers of armoured vehicles as

effectively as tactical nuclear weapons, but without side effects

– US SADARM (Sense and Destroy Armour) Programme– Swedish BONUS (Bofors Nutating Shell) Concept

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Terminally Guided Sub-Munitions

– Both SADARM and BONUS• use Infra Red beams to search the ground

• Rapid nutating motion (Oscillation about an axis of spin) helps to search large areas while descend

– SADARM: Oscillation beneath a parachute– BONUS: Oscillates because of its eccentric shape after

IR sensor and ballistic discs are deployed• When the IR Beam detects an armoured target, the warhead fires

an EFP with a velocity of approximately 2200m/s

• Very negligible delay in firing warhead

– A good chance of a hit against armoured target

BONUS

2/3

Terminally Guided

Sub-Munitions

BONUS in action

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PRECISION ENGAGEMENTPRECISION ENGAGEMENT

Ability to locate, discern, and track objectives or targets; select, organise, and use correct systems to engage or attack; generate desired effects; assess results; and re-engage with decisive speed and overwhelming effect, as required throughout the military operation.

Ability to locate, discern, and track objectives or targets; select, organise, and use correct systems to engage or attack; generate desired effects; assess results; and re-engage with decisive speed and overwhelming effect, as required throughout the military operation.

HUMAN FACTOR, AUTOMATION AND MUNITIONHUMAN FACTOR, AUTOMATION AND MUNITIONH

UM

AN

CO

NTR

OL

AUTOMATION

Dumb Munitions

Guided Munitions

Smart Munitions

Adaptive Munitions

HIGH VALUE SUBJECTIVE HIGH COLLATERAL

DAMAGE

HIGH THREAT OBJECTIVE LOW COLLATERAL

DAMAGE

Area Engagement

Precision Engagement

Cos

t per

kill

Intelligence Quotient

Dumb Munitions

Guided Munitions

Smart Munitions

Adaptive Munitions

Low unit cost of munition, but many are required for kill

Cost compensated by military advantages.

Volume of Fire

Sense and

Kill

Hit to

Kill

Search, Sense, Decide

and Destroy

ILLOGICAL HIGHLY LOGICAL

MUNITION COST/ EFFECTIVENESS RELATIONSHIPSMUNITION COST/ EFFECTIVENESS RELATIONSHIPS

SENSOR FUZED MUNITION

Expulsion and dispersion of cylinders

GUIDANCE SECTION

WARHEAD SECTION

GYRO

SEEKER SHAPED CHARGE

FIXED WINGS

CONTROL SECTION

FINS CONTROL

TERMINALLY GUIDED MUNITION


TGM in action

The forward observer illuminates the target using a laser designator for the last

12 seconds of the projectile flight. Here we see the complete system layout and firing

sequence of ammunition.

Ammunition along with its cartridge

in an unfired status.

The laser locator/designator used

for terminal guidance of ammunition. Transparent head to facilitate signal pickup.

Krasnopol-M 155mm

Laser Guided Ammunition

EXTENDED RANGE GUIDED MUNITION

COURSE CORRECTED PROJECTILE

SUMMARY• WEAPON AND AMMUNITION ARE WAR WINNING ASSETS.

• DEVELOPMENT IN AMMUNITION IS MORE FREQUENT THAN WEAPON.

• TARGETS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ARE GUIDING FACTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT.

• TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND APPLICATION WILL REDUCE THE CONCEPT TO DEPLOYMENT TIME.

• A LARGE NUMBER OF STATE OF THE ART SYSTEMS FOR WEAPON AND AMMUNITION ARE AVAILABLE GLOBALLY.

• INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT IS BASED ON NATIONAL INTEREST, TECHNICAL COMPETENCE AND RESOURCE AVAILABILITY.

THANK YOU

SIX GENERATIONS OF WARFARESIX GENERATIONS OF WARFARE

• First Generation wars ( upto 1250AD)– Dependant upon the forces of warring nations.– Fought on muscular strength without firearms. – Used the most primitive technological production.

• Second Generation wars (1250 - 1850AD)– Expansion of technological production– Appearance of gunpowder, propellants and explosives.– Appearance of small arms and tube artillery.

• Third Generation wars (1850 - 1900AD)– Introduction of automatic weapons.– Weapon developments in terms of range, accuracy and

firepower.

• Fourth Generation wars (1900 - 1945AD)– Mechanization and battlefield specific technology

developments.– Use of high power destructive mechanisms.– Use of weapon platform concepts (Tanks, Aircraft, Rocket

Launchers, etc.)– Mobility, protection and telecommunication was of prime

importance.• Fifth Generation wars (1945 - 1990AD)

– Dominated by nuclear threats. Development of inhuman and horrible weapons (viz. Thermobaric weapons).

– High emphasis on C4I2SR structures and space technology.– Limits of warfare extended from military to casualties of

population, economics, environment and politics.


• Sixth Generation wars (1990AD onwards)– Technology driven digitized battlefield.– Precise attack and Minimum collateral damages due to

developed sensors, guidance, control and communication technology.

– Use of remotely controlled weapons and platforms.– Weaponization of information.– Use of Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology.– Transformation of military from a legacy force to

objective force.


Weapon will act as surgical instrument in battlefield. Multi-functional, Multi-role, Multi-mission, highly

Objective systems. Multi purpose, versatile, flexible, ultra light weights. Enhanced lethality and higher on-target efficiency

range, accuracy and reliability. All weather, all terrain fighting capabilities. Self-adaptive to all environmental conditions. Minimum signature and maximum detection

avoidance. Intelligent and autonomous in search, detection,

identification, attack and decision capabilities.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURISTIC WEAPONCHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURISTIC WEAPON

Multi dimensional countermeasures and enhanced survivability.

Active defence capabilities. Weapon will act as reflex system. Minimum man interference. Standardised and modularised components and

assemblies with maximum inter-changeability and minimum inventory burdens.

Highly cost effective. Maintenance free and High shelf life. Weapons will create surprises and illusions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURISTIC WEAPONCHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURISTIC WEAPON

THE CONCEPTTHE CONCEPT

TARGET

DAMAGE

SAFETY

SERVICEABILITY

COMFORT

VALUE

REDUCTION INREDUCTION IN

CONVENTIONALLY UNDERSTOOD AS MATERIAL DAMAGE IS EXTENDED FURTHER TO NON MATERIAL DAMAGE OR MINIMUM MATERIAL DAMAGE.

DAMAGE MEANS REDUCTION IN THE ABILITY OF THE TARGET TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED FUNCTION OR OPERATION.


131366


LOW VELOCITY IMPACT

X-ray photo sequence of an aluminum plate being pierced by a copper long rod penetrator, impacting at a speed of 1200m/sec.

The hydrodynamic nature of the penetration process is clearly evident : the armour plate is not broken, cracked or shattered but rather it flows like a fluid together with the penetrator.

HYDRODYNAMIC PENETRATION



Chemical Energy of Explosive

Warhead Mechanism

Kinetic Energy of the Penetrator Target

Energy Losses to the Environment

Debris EnergyResidual Penetrator EnergyThermal Energy

Pk

ENERGY TRANSFER PROCESS DURING FUNCTIONING OF HE WARHEAD

EVENTSEVENTS

DETONATION

METAL ACCELERATION

DEFEAT MECHANISM FORMATION

FLIGHT TO THE TARGET

TERMINAL BALLISTICS

EFFECTSEFFECTS

CHEMICAL

THERMAL

MECHANICAL

Damage is time dependent, i.e. the target interaction should continue for a finite duration of time.

Damage may be concerned with the total system or part of it, i.e. target oriented.

Damage may result in a repairable fault or irreparable fault in the target, i.e. lethality.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DAMAGE


FACTORS AFFECTING FACTORS AFFECTING TARGET DAMAGE TARGET DAMAGE

• Dissipated power• Design Quality• Manufacturing

Quality• Load Intensity• Renewal Quality• Location

RECOVERY POOOF OF AMMUNITIONRECOVERY POOOF OF AMMUNITIONDEFECT CLASSIFICATION

CRITICAL DEFECTS• SETUP OF BODY.• SET DOWN OF BODY EXCEEDING 0.8mm.• BREAKUP OF SHELL IN THE BARREL OR ON IMPACT

AFTER LANDING.

MAJOR DEFECTS• CIRCUMFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVING BAND

WITH RESPECT TO BODY.• STRIPPING/ BREAKING/ LIFTING OF DB.• SMOOTHENING OF DB.• DIVERGENCE OF DB.• HEAVY LAND ENGRAVING ON BODY.• OPENING, CRACKING/ SEPARATION OF PIPING DISC.

MINOR DEFECTS• FANNING OF DB.• PARTIAL DOUBLE ENGRAVING OF DB.• SLIGHT LAND STENCILING ON BODY.

Documents

Introduction to Weapon & Ammunition