Caseless Ammunition Heat Transfer. Volume III.

Heat transfer studies were performed for small and medium caliber caseless ammunition 1 to evaluate the thermal performance of existing fixtures and ammunition, 2 devise and evaluate mathematical techniques by which the thermal behavior of future weapons may be predicted and problem areas identified prior to weapon design and 3 obtain information which can lead to improvement in future weapons and ammunition. The study continues previous work on 5.56mm and 27mm caseless ammunition. Some measurements of the heating of an M16 rifle firing cased 5.56mm ammunition are initially reported as a basis of comparison of caseless ammunition. The primary emphasis of the 5.56mm testing is directed towards High Ignition Temperature Propellant HITP rounds. Firing tests and laboratory cook-off tests were conducted with HITP and analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential of caseless ammunition during burst firing schedules. The 27mm evaluations consist of the results of single-shot and rapid-fire testing, laboratory cook-off tests, and predictions of gun heating to be expected during rapid-fire bursts. A mathematical model was developed which provides an adequate tool by which the thermal effects of rapid fire may be predicted based upon single-shot testing. Author