Aerodynamics Analysis and Range Enhancement Study of 81mm Mortar Shell (French Design)

Abstract

The aim of this research is performing the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of 81mm Mortar Shell (French Design). The analysis is performed using ANSYS Fluent Software on three different Mach numbers (0.72, 0.76, and 0.84) and results are compared with existing design of 81mm HE M57D A2 Mortar. The drag coefficient of new modified design is found to be less than the existing model. The range of mortar shell is increased by 271 meters because of low drag coefficient with 5.96% percent increase in range and 15.73% decrease in drag coefficient value. Parabolic type; light weighted material fuze casing applied over the existing fuze will result in increase in aerodynamics, range enhancement and drag coefficient reduction. Weight optimization by using lighter material for mortar components and increasing the muzzle velocity can also increase flight duration of the projectile and increase its range. The analysis on 81mm Mortar Shell is a part of range enhancement study to overcome the short fall in required range of mortar shells.