Accession Number:

ADA090663

Title:

Feasibility of a Sustainer Projectile in the 30-mm, 35-mm, and 40-mm Caliber Range

Descriptive Note:

Memorandum rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY BALLISTIC RESEARCH LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Petro, Denice M.

Report Date:

1980-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

20.0

Abstract:

A sustainer projectile is a projectile which sustains its initial launch velocity while in flight by the use of rocket propulsion to overcome drag. The nomenclature for this type of system in the large calibers is RAP rocket-assisted projectile. This report, then, does not deal with a new concept but addresses the feasibility of RAPs in the smaller calibers appropriate for air defense, i.e., the 30-40 mm caliber range. The nominal objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of sustainer technology reducing the time of flight to 3 s or less at 3 km. This could be achieved by a 35-mm candidate and a 40-mm candidate however, the 30 mm is too small to support the necessary propulsion system.

Descriptors:

• *ROCKET ASSISTED PROJECTILES
• TIME
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• FLIGHT
• AERODYNAMIC DRAG
• MUZZLE VELOCITY
• ROCKET PROPULSION
• ROCKET NOZZLES
• AEROBALLISTICS
• AIR DEFENSE
• ROCKET PROPELLANT GRAINS

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE