Combustion control requirements in high loading density, solid propellant ETC gun firings

Abstract

This report investigates and quantifies the requirements for increasing performance (muzzle kinetic energy) in existing high performance (tank) gun systems utilizing solid propellants. Factors studied include propelling charge mass or loading density, propellant specific energy, grain geometry, and the use of electrothermal-chemical concepts. Results indicate that significant increases in performance require not only increased system energy but, more importantly, propellant combustion control In terms of the mass generation rate to operate near ideal gun performance. Specific requirements and approaches (e.g., burn rate modification by plasma interaction) to obtain the "ideal" gun performance are discussed. Plasma-propellant interaction study results are also discussed.