Weapon Chamber Pressure Measurement

Measurements of pressure inside large caliber weapons are critical for establishing the balance between crew safety and combat effectiveness. A 2 error in chamber pressure measurement can result in a 3 change in weight, a 4 change in effective range, and a 6 change in fatigue life. A study of electrical pressure transducers used to measure large caliber weapon chamber pressure was conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground from January 1979 to March 1982. Extensive testing, at pressure levels from 34 to 785 MPa 5,000 to 110,000 PSI was done to evaluate 15 different types of pressure transducers. Tests to evaluate bias between readings from different types of transducers as well as the variability of readings produced by a single type of transducer were conducted. In the laboratory, both dynamic and static pressure readings were made. In the field, a 175mm gun was used to evaluate differences in transducer performance.