Plasma Ignition Response for LOVA Gun Propellant at Low Loading Densities

Abstract

The ignition of LOVA gun propellants at low loading densities is of interest for future gun systems with insensitive modular charges. The ignition system in conventional propellant systems is traditionally optimized for high loading densities. There is a need to be able to control the ignition for the envelop of the system, to reduce unburnt propellant at low loading densities and, at the same time, avoid pressure waves at high loading densities. Plasma ignition is interesting for this application, with the possibility to vary ignition energy and with the plasma plume penetrating deep into the propellant bed to achieve uniform ignition. This paper presents results from plasma ignition experiments in a 45-mm gun system, using NL008, an RDX-based CAB-LOVA propellant. The plasma igniter is a capillary jet type, driven by a pulse-forming network. A zero-dimensional model for the plasma igniter has been developed and will be discussed in the context of the experiments.

Numerical Simulations of Reactive Two-Phase Flows in Interior Ballistics

“…Propellant-based weapon systems have been used since at least the 13 th century and still form the base of any safety authority or military effort [1]. Research, however, is often expensive and dangerous for all parties involved, not only in the case of development or optimization of new devices [2] but also in terms of designing countermeasures [3], such as bullet proof vests or armoured vehicles. For this reason, a lot of work has been invested over the past decades into the creation of numerical models and codes to simulate the complex physical and chemical phenomena occurring in interior ballistics (IB).…”