NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTS New High Energetic Components … · 2017-05-30 · 020416_Gun and...

020416_Gun and Ammo Symp.ppt Rk/Vob/Su/Ad/Ska/Zc 04/30/2002 1

NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTSNEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTSNEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTS"New High Energetic"New High Energetic

Components for FutureComponents for FutureAmmunition Design"Ammunition Design"

KurtKurt Ryf Ryf, Beat, Beat Vogelsanger Vogelsanger,,Ulrich Ulrich SchädeliSchädeli, , Dominik AntenenDominik Antenen, Alice , Alice SkriverSkriver

NITROCHEMIE WIMMIS AG; SwitzerlandNITROCHEMIE WIMMIS AG; SwitzerlandNITROCHEMIE ASCHAU GmbH; GermanyNITROCHEMIE ASCHAU GmbH; Germany


NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTSNEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTSNEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTS

If you want to hit future targets, youIf you want to hit future targets, youneed the best and most reliableneed the best and most reliable

propulsion system designpropulsion system design

Video



ê New Propellants for Medium Caliber Applications

ê Improved Propulsion Systems for Mortars

ê Future Propellants for Tank Ammunition (SCDB)

ê Conclusions

Contents of PresentationContents of Presentation



Part 1: Medium Caliber PropellantsPart 1: Medium Caliber Propellants



Medium Caliber Propellants - OverviewMedium Caliber Propellants - Overview

Single Baseperformance-improved

ê Improved interior ballistic performancedue to optimised surface coating /increased bulk density

ê Best solution for full caliber ammunition !







EIExtruded-Impregnated

ê Significant performance gain due to two-layersurface coating / reduced temperature sensitivity

ê Best solution for sub caliber kinetic energyammunition ! ("State of the Art")







EI+NGL-free

ê NGL-free EI variant with similar performanceê Better stability + cook-off beh. / lower flame temp.ê For special applications (aircraft ammunition)

EI++NGL-free/semi-nitramine

ê Nitroglycerine-free / semi-nitramine EI variantê In development for future design demands

EIExtruded-Impregnated

ê Significant performance gain due to two-layersurface coating / reduced temperature sensitivity

ê Best solution for sub caliber kinetic energyammunition ! ("State of the Art")



Impregnation withNitroglycerine and

Non-Energetic Coating

EI®-Propellant

Manufacture of EIManufacture of EI®® / EI / EI+ + Propellant Propellant (schematized)(schematized)

NitrocelluloseFibers

NC-Processing

by Extrusion

EI-Green Propellant(single base)



Impregnation withNitroglycerine and

Non-Energetic Coating

EI®-Propellant

Manufacture of EIManufacture of EI®® / EI / EI+ + Propellant Propellant (schematized)(schematized)

NitrocelluloseFibers

NC-Processing

by Extrusion

EI-Green Propellant(single base)

Impregnation withnew Energetic Plasticizersand Non-Energetic Coating

EI+-Propellant



EIEI®® Propellant for Medium Caliber Applications Propellant for Medium Caliber ApplicationsAn already well established TechnologyAn already well established Technology

Qualified Applications:Qualified Applications:ê 25 mm APFSDS Mecarê 25 mm APFSDS (M919) Primexê 27 mm APFSDS Midas Mauserê 27 mm FAPDS Mauserê 30 mm APFSDS Royal Ordnanceê 30 mm APFSDS NAMMOê 30 mm APFSDS/FAPDS/TP OCP/Mauserê 35 mm APFSDS Rheinmetall



EIEI®® Propellant for 25 mm APFSDS-T M 919 Propellant for 25 mm APFSDS-T M 919ê Enables high performance with good barrel life (≥ 3000 rounds)ê EI propellant is US qualified / in series production since 1998ê This advanced propulsion system, combined with the product

improvement program already in progress, allows the M 919to remain attractive for at least an other decade



NITROCHEMIE's NITROCHEMIE's Contribution toContribution to30/40 mm AAAV 30/40 mm AAAV ProgrammeProgramme

ê Involved in the AAAV project since 1998ê Several meetings with AAAV-teamê Proof of performance and competence in type testsê Material / explosive qualification (STANAG 4170)

ê 2000: "David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award"






ê Development of highest performanceEI-propellants for 30 mm APFSDS-T ammunitionsystems (NAMMO and Oerlikon ContravesPyrotec AG OCP)

ê Type classified and qualified for AAAV-program:• APFSDS-T rounds of both suppliers• MP-T round of NAMMO



EIEI®® Propellant for 30 mm x 173 APFSDS-T Propellant for 30 mm x 173 APFSDS-TFiring Tests in 30 mm Bushmaster IIFiring Tests in 30 mm Bushmaster II

3200

3600

4000

4400

4800

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Firing Temperature [°C]

Pea

k P

ress

ure

[ba

r]

Single Base EI-Propellant System Limit

1280

1320

1360

1400

1440

1480

Mu

zzle

Vel

oci

ty

[m/s

]

∆ Eo = 18 %

∆ Eo = 12 %

ê Significant performance gainê Excellent temperature behaviour




ê Contributions to the concept phase of the40 mm Super Forty program

ê EI+ and EI++ are candidates with thepotential to fulfill ambitious demands forfuture upgunned combat systems • APFSDS-T • AIRBURST



JointStrike

Fighter

Propellants for Future Aircraft Fighter SystemsPropellants for Future Aircraft Fighter Systems

EurofighterRafale



Improved Propulsion Design for FutureImproved Propulsion Design for FutureAircraft (Fighter) AmmunitionAircraft (Fighter) Ammunition

ê The new, nitroglycerine-free propellants EI+ and EI++ showsignificantly improved features if compared to the ball powdersor double base propellants presently used in such applications,in particular:

• Better cook-off behavior

• Tremendously improvedchemical stability

• Excellent ballistic stability

• Low temperature-sensitivity(equal to EI-type)

• Excellent interior ballisticperformance(equal or better than EI)

Exposure Temp. = 105 °C

100

105

110

115

120

125

130

135

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Exposure Time [h]

Pro

pel

lan

t T

emp

. [°C

]

Ball Propellant

EI+ Propellant

EI++-Propellant

EI-Propellant

Q 5560,



Part 2: Mortar PropellantsPart 2: Mortar Propellants



ê Containers take up more than 30% of nitroglycerine within 1 - 3 years

ê and loose more than 50% of their original plasticizer content

ê Modern mortar augmenting charges consist of combustiblecontainers (made from celluloid or felted fiber), filled withgranular double base propellant

ê Such systems, however, suffer from severe aging-related problems

Propellant Container

Nitro-glycerine

Plasti-cizer

Aging Problems of Mortar Charges Aging Problems of Mortar Charges



ê Strong embrittlement of celluloidcontainers at low temperatures

ê Safety risk

ê Rupture ofcontainersduringhandling

Aging Problems of Mortar Charges Aging Problems of Mortar Charges

ê Strong changes in interiorballistic behaviour (v0 / pmax)

ê Change ofrange ofmortargrenade

ê Such diffusion processes cause the following problems



ê The propellants of the EI®-family allow to tremendouslyimprove the characteristics of mortar charge systems:

• Significantly higher interior ballistic performancethan single base propellants

• Reduced dispersion of v0 and pmax

• Reduction of nitroglycerine and plasticizer dif-fusion by factor 3 - 10 (compared to double basepropellants) and therefore

• No aging related problems such as containerembrittlement / loss of dimensional stability

• Significantly improved ballistic stability / shelf life

Improved Propulsion Systems for Mortars:Improved Propulsion Systems for Mortars:EIEI®® / EI / EI++ / EI / EI++++ - Propellant Family - Propellant Family



EIEI®® Propellant for 60 mm MAPAM Propellant for 60 mm MAPAM

ê RUAG's MAPAM (Mortar Anti-PersonalAnti-Material Cartridge) shows greatlyenhanced lethality

ê Propulsion systems basing on celluloidand felted fibre containers are avail-able, both with EI® propellant

ê MAPAM System is qualified inSwitzerland / in qualification in USA



Alternative Propellant for 120 mm MortarAlternative Propellant for 120 mm Mortar

Feasibility study: Results from firing test

Standard Deviation Velocity [m/s]

0

2

4

280

290

300

310

320

330

340

350

360

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80Temperature [°C]

Mu

zzle

Vel

oci

ty [

m/s

]

ReferenceEI® PropellantEI+ Propellant

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80Temperature [°C]

Pea

k P

resu

re [

MP

a]

ReferenceEI® PropellantEI+ Propellant

Standard Deviation Pressure [MPa]

0

5

ê Equal performance at reduced pressure level / dispersion of v0 and pmax



ê Almost everywhere in the world, mortar charges causeproblems:

• Lots are locked because of safety objections• Containers have to be replaced every 5 - 7 years

ê In several systems, double base propellants are there-fore replaced by EI propellants

• 60 mm mortar bomb (Switzerland)• 60 and 81mm long range grenade (SA)• 120 mm MAT-120 (Spain)

ê For many other systems, introduction of EI® / EI+propellants is in progress or at least considered

• 60 mm MAPAM (Switzerland/USA)• 81 mm MO 81 LLR (France)

Improved Propulsion Systems for Mortars:Improved Propulsion Systems for Mortars:EIEI®® / EI / EI++ / EI / EI++++ - Propellant Family - Propellant Family



Part 3: Part 3: Propellants forPropellants for Tank AmmunitionTank Ammunition



Survability and killing effect / probability-> depend strongly on a

reliable and powerfulpropulsion system

SCDB-Technology a core competence for future applications !

SCDBSCDB®® Technology for Tank Ammunition Technology for Tank Ammunition

New Trends inarmement of rapiddeployment troops

, light and airtransportablefighting systems

, Sufficient firepower

, Compact gunsystems

, Availability innear future



Army TransformationArmy Transformation

LAV III

Available gunsystems• L7 A1• M 68 A1

Future gunsystems• Smooth bore gun• Laser/plasma-ignition• ETC-Technology

• KE-round• Multi purpose round Need of

Enhanced or newpropulsion design



SCDBSCDB®® Technology for a “miraculous” performance Technology for a “miraculous” performance

Propellant of anyshape (geometry) andformulation (impetus)

Characteristic of„Miracle propellant“

-40 -20 0 20 40 60

Temperature [°C]

Advanced ProcessTechnology

Modifying• form function• burn rate

velo

city

/ p

ress

ure

Enhanced Performance

Coating Process



1500

1550

1600

1650

1700

1750

1800

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Enhancement of 120 mm KE-roundEnhancement of 120 mm KE-round

DM 53

E0 = + > 2 MJ E0 = + 1 - 1,2 MJ(8 - 10%)

High CaloricPropellant> 5000 J/gPeak Pressure (bar)

4000

4500

5000

5500

6000

6500

7000

7500

8000

-50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70

8 < 6720 bar

xi < 7380 bar

SCDBpropellant< 4800 J/g

Firing Temperature °C

V0 (m/s)



1500

1550

1600

1650

1700

1750

1800

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Enhancement of 120 mm KE-roundEnhancement of 120 mm KE-round

DM 53

E0 = + > 2MJ E0 = + 1 - 1,2MJ(8 - 10%)

High CaloricPropellant> 5000 J/gPeak Pressure (bar)

4000

4500

5000

5500

6000

6500

7000

7500

8000

-50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70

8 < 6720 bar

xi < 7380 bar

SCDBpropellant< 4800 J/g

Firing Temperature °C

V0 (m/s)

„Not a „Not a miracle but the truthmiracle but the truth““

Benefits

• higher penetrationcapability

• shorter time offlight

• longer range

• improved hitprobability

• unchanged ballisticsover entire tempe-rature range



US ContractUS Contract Feasibillity Feasibillity Study Study„Excellent adaptability to any configuration“„Excellent adaptability to any configuration“

Mu

zzle

vel

oci

ty [

m/s

]

long rod slugconfiguration

weight: 9.41 kg

Igniter: 86 mm

gun firing test from120 mm / L 44 SB-barrel

1460

1500

1540

1580

1620

1660

1700

-40 -20 0 20 40 60

Max

. pre

ssu

re [

Mp

a]

800

750

700

650

600

550

500

∆ = 36 m/s

Temperature [°C]



Firing Safety with Short IgniterFiring Safety with Short Igniter

Shaped chargesystem

fins

granular SCDBpropellant

ê p = p1 - p3

Firing temperature: - 32 °C

Max. negative differentialpressure: - 15 MPa

, good ignition transferno signs of pressure waves

, maximization of performancehigh loading density



Performance Prospects for 120 mm KEPerformance Prospects for 120 mm KE

V0 (m/s)

1600

1650

1700

1750

1800

1850

1900

7 7.25 7.5 7.75 8 8.25 8.5 8.75 9 9.25 9.5Projectile weight [kg]

Mu

zzle

Vel

oci

ty [

m/s

]

Calculated Muzzle Velocities for 21 °C

L55

US-Slug

L44

DM53SCDB

DM43

With optimalloading conditions

DM 53actual

Performance gain byusing SCDB-Technologyin any of 120 mmKE-configuration

80 - 100 m/s at 21 °C> 150 m/s at 0 °C

significant improvementof penetration capa-bility !



Potential for Penetration ImprovementsPotential for Penetration Improvements

, Conventional

Last generation KE-roundimproved with SDCB

=> defeat T-72

, Future possibilites

Smooth Bore gun incombination with SCDB

„There is always away to defeat newthreats“

Attractive Concepts

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

8 10 12

RH

A P

ente

trat

ion

[mm

]

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

6 8 10

RH

A P

ente

trat

ion

[mm

]

1010 8

Muzzle Energy E0 [MJ]

105 mm• M 68• L 7

105 mm SB • 8,1 l

• 9.6 l • ETC

T-62basic

T-72A

T-72M1

M 833DM 63

s

sM 900

SCDB

g

gSCDB

sg



ê The Swiss can fly almostas good as Harry Potter ......

ê ....... and they have a solutionfor most of your propulsion-related problems !!!!

ConclusionsConclusions

Date post:	21-Feb-2020
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NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PROPELLANTS New High Energetic Components … · 2017-05-30 · 020416_Gun and...

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