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U.S. Department of Energy
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Corrosion testing of the General Electric-MANTECH II GAU 8/A penetrator

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6847787· OSTI ID:6847787

A series of 8-inch artillery projectiles featuring mass properties variation were fired to determine the effect on crossrange deflection (drift). The results of this experimental program are presented. The drift of a spinning projectile away from the vertical plane of the firing azimuth is primarily caused by the yaw of repose. Analytic expressions for the repose angle and the crossrange deflection or drift have been developed by several authors. Previous analytical work showed that the drift of a spinning projectile is dependent upon the projectile roll moment of inertia and center-of-gravity position, but is independent of the pitch moment of inertia. The present work provides an experimental verification of the previous analyses. This program was conducted in support of the ballistic match effort in which slightly dissimilar projectiles are to have impact points within a specified dispersion, i.e., though the mass properties of two nearly similar projectiles cannot be exactly matched, they can be tailored to provide for similar trajectories. A more accurate analytic expression for the crossrange deflection of a spinning projectile is also developed.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Livermore, Calif. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
6847787
Report Number(s):
SAND-78-8009
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English