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Ad-A258887 Liquid Propellant
Ad-A258887 Liquid Propellant
Ad-A258887 Liquid Propellant
'DTIC_
ELECTE
DEC 3 0 1992
A by
92-32784
-f" ' I form Approved
1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave Wank) 2,. REPORT OAT!E 3. REPORT TYPE AND OATES COVERED
1 5 June 1992 Master's Thesis, 1 Aug 91 - 5 June 92
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLI 5, FUNDING NUMBER$
Is a Liquid Propellant Gun a Viable Option for the Puture
Main Battle Tank in the United States Army?
6. AUTHOR(S) .
MAI Curtis L. McCoy
This study is an examination of three areas: historical U.S. liquid propellant development,
liquid propellant logistical considerations and the technical considerations in the
application of a liquid propellant gun in a combat vehicle. The study examines the potential
and demonstrated benefits of liquid propellants for the military. The study uses the solid
propellant guns technology as the baseline to conduct a comparison of liquid propellant guns
in the same operational requirements. The analysis by the author on the logistical impacts
focuses on the industrial base conversion, production costs oq, propellants, ammunition
transportation requirements, and liquid propellant demilitarizatifPn. The analysis continues
with a discussion on combat vehicle survivability, firepower, nd mobility. This study
concludes that a liquid propellant gun is a viable option for the Army to pursue. The
primary logistical advantage with liquid propellant is vclu'efficiency which impacts
storage, transportation, and ammunition processing. A tank equi pd with a liquid propellant
gun has advantages over a solid propellant gun in rates of fir, basic armmunition load
capability, survivability of the system, and vehicle veight re ctions.
17, SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION r19. -SECURITYCLASSIFICATION 20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRAý
OF REPORT Of THIS PAGE OF ABST;RACT.
UNCLASSIFIE£0 JCLASSIF ISO UNCLASS'JflO
IN 5N 7540 01-8SO St, d~ad Form~ 21M S-'
IS A LIQUID PROPELLANT GUN A VIABLE
OPTION FOR THE FUTURE MAIN BATTLE
TANK IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY?
by
y ................................
Dist ibtutio i I
Av•ilability Co,
For The Future Main Battle Tank In The United States Army?
Appr ed by:
Dwain H.
tt: )/.
Sk'elton,
Ik~li
M.A.
-,Member
Member, Consulting
CO lifred L. Dellva,/ h.D. Faculty
ii
ABSTRACT
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ..................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................ iv
ikntroduction....................................... 2
Ba toaon ............................ ........
SiUnificance ofStudy...............................6
Dethodo 1ogy....................................... 7
SuL niary........................................... 10
CHAPTER 2. I ntrodolt
SURVEY OFio LITERATURE.............................
....................................... 1171
Introduction ...................................... 33
Part I - Bulk Loaded Liquid Propellant Guns ....... 36
Part II - Regenerative Liquid Propellant
Guna .................................... 42
v
Part III - A Review of Past Liquid Propellant
Developments ................................ 48
Summary ............................ 52
Introduction .............................. 66
Part I - Industrial Base Conversion ............... 66
Part II - Propellant Production Cost Savings
Factors ............................... 70
Part III - Commnercial Production of Liquid
Propellants ......................... . .9 .. 71
Part IV - Transportation Issues ............ .. 72
Part V - Demi I itar ization Issues ............... 79
Sunmm ry ............................. *..... . . . 79
Introduction ...................................... 90
Part I - Conclusions .............................. 90
Part i i - Recofw-endations .......................... 3
Sununary ........................................... 93
BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................ 95
vi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
vii
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
viii
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
best!
Background
Assumptions
2
(3) Two basic 120mm rounds M829A1, Armor Piercing
Definitions
3
b. Regenerative LPG: The gas pressure in the
battlefield.
4
(7) Armor Piercing Fin Stablized Discarding Sabot -
and a M900.
M456.
guidance.
Limitations
Delimitations
the study will focus on the liquid propellant gun with primary
key elements in the combined arms team for the Army ground
6
Methodology
in tanks.
7
above research materials. These elements are used as the
MIAl tank.
the thesis and describes the Same rules for the study by
8
(1950-1957), (1968-1977) and (1977 to the present).
9
Chapter 6 - Combat Vehicle Impact Analysis
Summary
a new gun propulsion system for the Army's main battle tank
could not be greater than at this time. The future does not
10
CHAPTER 2
SURVEY OF LITERATURE
Introduction
11
A majority of the research material used can be
vehicle developments.
Part I
-itor ical-
12
following is a concise summary of those critical source
in a weapon system.
Books
in the air space Just above it, may call for in the closing
1
Richard E. Simpkin, Antitank: An Air mechanized Response
to Armored Threats in the 90s (Elmsford, NY: Pergamon Press,
Inc., 1982), 8.
21bid.
13
R.P. Hunnicutt has written a series of books which
equipment.
research efforts from just after the Second World War to the
propellant guns.
fixture.5
"Tri-Service Plan for Liquid Propellant Technology for
documentation.
16
1990s." 6 This document tied the Department of Defense
propellants.
Part II
that nature are classified and will not be part of this study.
The largest source of unclassified materials which discusses
review.
Books
6Walter
F. Morrison, "Liquid Propellant Technology
Program," ADB056054 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army
Ballistic Research Laboratory, January 1981), 1.
7Richard
Simpkin, Human Factors in Mechanized Warfare,
(Elmsford, New York; Pergamon Press Inc., 1983); 4.
17
the key elements the analysts and subsystem designers must
control it.
Tank Warfare, by Richard E. Simpkin begins with a
design.
19
"Comparison of Predicted Muzzle Flash For Solid and
flash and the associated blast issues for the charge designer
nitrate (HAN) based liquid propellant, LPG 1845, for the 155mm
by this contact.
20
development even prior to any system testing. The study
mechanical factors.
10M.S.
Kirshenbaum, L. Avrami and B. Strauss, "Sensitivity
Characterization of Low Vulnerability (LOVA) Propellants,"
ADA126130 (Dover, NJ: U.S. Army Armament Research and
Development Command, Large Caliber Weapon Systems Laboratory,
Ma,-ch 1983), 1.
21
"Low Temperature Properties of HAN-Based Liquid
Celsius.
"Combustion Processes in Consolidated Propel lants," by
22
protection, vulnerability reduction, mobility issues,
23
efficiency of stick propellants over granular propellants for
13
Frederick
W. Robbins and Albert W. Horat, "Detailed
Characterization of the Interior Ballistics of Slotted Stick
Propellant," ADA147499 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army
Ballistic Research Laboratory, September 1984), 9.
14
Michael J. VanDerwerken, "High Performance Regenerative
Liquid Propellant Gun Study," ADB099639 (Pittsfield, MA:
General Electric Company, Ordnance Systems, February 1986), 1.
24
propellant regenerative gun can operate in the high-
15
performance, tank-cannon regime."
Periodicals
advantages of tank design with crews that have less than four
discussion on the aize and weight trade ofis within any new
15
Cris Watson, John D. Knapton,
Walter F. Morrison and D.
Mazh "rIllict4c , ..... ÷ ting of • HihPr
Regenerative Liquid Propellant Gun," ADA224593 (Aberdeen
Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory,
February 1990), 1.
25
Michael O'Connor is an interesting article on design
of liquid propellants.
16R.
M. Ogorkiewicz, "Future Tank Guns, Part I: Solid and
Liquid Propellant Guns," International Defense Review, Vol.
23, No. 12/1990: 1377.
26
"Liquid Propellant Artillery Proving Begins in the
1
TRupert Pengelley, "Liquid Propellant Artillery Proving
Begins in the U.S.," International Defense Review, Vol. 23,
No. 12/1990: 1379-1380.
27
battlefield application. Conventional cannons are his only
process.12
Part III
Logistical Considerations
1 8WolframWitt
and Karlheinz Reinelt, "Liquid Propellant
Charges for Gun and Mortar Ammunition," International Defense
Review- Vol. 14, No. 1/1981, 64.
128
systems. To develop a new weapon system is only one part of
government documents.
Explosives.
29
automation, and propellant stowage remote from the fighting
projected for use in the field by the year 2000 against the
20
Morrison, 32.
211bid.
30
the ammunition resupply system, as compared to bag charge
22
solid propellants.
howitzer.
propellants.
22
Maureen M. Stark, "Logistics Analysis of the Impacts of
Liquid Propellant on the Ammunition Resupply System,"
ADB087488 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Ballistic
Research Laboratory, October 1984), 37.
23
Ms M Ca M, At-rAA
"An ,. 4lyiof +th !mpacts of
Transitioning of Liquid Propellant (LP) and a LP Gun System in
the Army's Inventory," ADBlO0559 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD:
U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory, March 1986), 2.
31
Summary
cannon for the main battle tank. This thesis attempts from a
completed.
32
CHAPTER 3
Introduction
gun propulsion.
mounted and was very large. The research quickly dropped the
rockets at the end of the Korean Conflict all but ended DOD
the current gun propulsion technology. The Navy was the lead
34
Propellant Technology for Gun Application was revived in March
35
Part I
MONPRPELANBLKLOAEDPRPRELLATIL BARRN
BIOPROPELLANTBUKLAEDPOELNITMNU
riL
F1RT 38R
storage tank controls the rate of fill into the chamber to
down the tube, the gas cavity will penetrate the liquid
39
LIQUID COATING
burning surface.
Sibid.
1 0Morrison,
Ballistic Science and Technology Tutorial
Interior Ballistics, 106.
BLLPG would not be a good candidate for a possible LPG system
Part II
11M r io ,
Morrison, "Liquid Propellants for Gun Applications," 11.
42
RE~rERAIV ~ RESMERVI
INJETTIO
REGNERTIE
IJECIO LIIDPRPELLANTILGARRE
COBSTO
B IWREEC 5.S3EAI IGA INTO
FAPROPELLANT
REGENERATIVE
INJ ~ ~ IECTIONLIUDPOEANGN
44CE
consisting of a primer, an ignition charge and in some cases
13 Morrison,
"Liquid Propellants for Gun Applications," 11.
14 R.D.M.
Furlong, "Liquid Propellant for Future SP
Howitzers?" International Defense Review Vol 16 (December
1983), 1765.
45
PFMPCLLANT
46WE
The second function is the requirement for the
modeled when the two functions are combined for the hydraulic
combustion process.
1960s.'' 21 "By the late 1960s, the Vietnam War experience had
The Navy took the lead during this period and began the first
201 b id.
2 1Morrison,
"Liquid Propellants for Gun Applications," 14.
22 Morrison,
"Liquid Propellant Guns," 4.
23
1bid.
49
a renewed interest throughout the Department of Defense
defense gun but the " ballistic control required for safety at
241 b i d.
50
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
LPs was developed and a rapid fire 30mm RLPG cannon was
211bid.
29
1bid., 9.
3 0 Walter
F.
Morrison, Paul G, Baer, Melvin J. Bulman and
John Mandzy, "Interior Ballistics of Regenerative Liquid
Propellant Guns," ADA190020 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S.
Army Ballistic Research Laboratory, October 1987), 1.
3 1Morrison,
"Liquid Propellants For Gun Applications, " 15.
321 bid.
was designed, fabricated and tested. "The significant
propelled howitzer.
Summary
combat vehicles.
Numerous gun fixtures were developed and fired but none were
fielded.
program fade by the mid-1950s and all work had been abandoned
33Morrison,
"Liquid Propellant Guns," 5.
52
in the third period, LP efforts were revived but
RLPGs.
The fourth period has taken the DOD from the late
53
CHAPTER 4
Introduction
1R.
M. Ogorkiewicz, "Future Tank Guns, Part I: Solid and
Liquid Propellant Guns," International Defense Review. Vol.24,
No. 9/1991: 1377.
54
system lethality and increased crew survivability on the
the gun and the maximum pressure the gun can withstand. The
conventional propulsion.
Part I
Conventional Propulsion
technology:
cycle.
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantages:
cannon.
2
pn, $hvrinA F. Ranz. Inao ,4. May and Walter
t. n
RnhB
F. Morrison, "A Propulsion System Comparison Study For the
120rmn Anti-Armor Cannon," ADA187175 (Aberdeen Proving Ground,
MD: U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory, August 1987), 13-
14.
length of the chamber to be almost immediately bathed in
1. Advantages:
2. Disadvantage:
C. LOVA Propeilants:
57
pressures, and improved mechanical properties compared to
4
conventional nitrocellulose based propellants.
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantage:
D. Deterred Propellants:
pressure operation.
1. Advantage:
4M.S.
Kirshenbaum, L. Avrami and B. Strauss, "Sensitivity
Characterization of Low Vulnerability (LOVA) Propellants,"
ADA126130 (Dover, NJ: U.S. Army Armament Research and
Development Command, Large Caliber Weapons Systems Laboratory,
March 1983), 1.
5
Baer, 3.
53
weight which is required due to the lower energy of the
deterred layer.
2. Disadvantage:
The production process has not demonstrated the
E. Multiple Charges:
This concept is applicable to those situations that
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantage:
multiple charges.
F. Multiplex Charges:
6L.
E. Harris, A. Grabowsky, J. Shib-Thornton, P. Hui and
A. J. beardeii, "unicharge for Extended Hange ordnance," 25'th
JANNAF Combustion Meeting, CPIA PUB 498, Vol. IV, ADB133554
(Hunttvilie, AL: NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center, October
1988), 455-456.
59
brought about by the change in the grain's surface as burning
burnout.
1. Advantage:
2. Dis&dvantage:
Part II
A, Consolidated Charge:
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantage:
progressivity.
2. Disadvantage:
properties.
cycle is completed.$
1. Advantages:
0. Soft-Launch Concepts:
63
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantage:
pressure losses from the gun breech to the end of the gun tube
1. Advantage:
2. Disadvantages:
64
b. There are severe mechanical, as well as combustion
concept successful.
dispersion.
Summary
65
CHAPTER 5
LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Introduction
Part I
the LPG program and one for the SPG program. Therefore, the
66
their current configurations for LPG by reducing the number %f
field.
1T.W.
Terry, S.R. Jackson, C.E.S. Ryley, B.E. Jones and
P.JH. Worme11, F-i-ghtingVehicles (London, Great Britain: BPCC
Wheatons Ltd., Exeter, 1991), 28.
67
Another secondary method of achieving a perforation of the
2 Andrew
M. Dietrich, "Warhead Mechanics," Ballistic
Science and Technology Tutorial Terminal Ballistics Division,
(Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Ballistic Research
Laboratory, April 1991), 30.
31bid., 58.
4 U.S.
Army, TM 9-2350-264-10-3. Operators Manual.-Tank,
Combat, Full-Tracked: 120-mm Gun, M1Al, (2350-01-087-1092),
General Abrams (Washington D.C.: Department of the Army,
1991), 5-7.
TABLE 1. AMMUNITION DATA
PROJECTILE
TYPE APFSDS-T Multiple Purpose
LENGTH Classified 33.1 in
LPG.
69
Part II
Propellant Production
Cost Savings Factors
each other until they are placed together in the breech for
70
production requirements are less for LP rounds as compared to
Part III
Commercial Production of
Liquid Propellants
5 Walter
F. Morrison, "TI- Application of Liquid
Propellant Gun Technology to Field Artillery," (Proceedings of
20th JANNAF Propulsion Meeting, CPIA PUL 37G, Vol. II,
February 1983), 133,
iIbid., 131.
71bid.
71
potential cost savings could quickly surpass the required
production program.
Part IV
Transportation ls.ime-s
L ""I60 r I I OWN I #j I I
Klingenberg, "Liquid Propellants for Gun Applications,"
ADBO90195 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, January 1985), 34.
SMor-rison: 35.
equivalent weights of projectiles and pi-opellants per load.
12
LPs high packing density. Figure 7. Logistical Advantages
73
from the Corps ammunition storage point (ASP), to the Division
finally to the user which needs the Class V for the combat
13
1bid., 17.
14 1bid., 23.
74
00
z z
a z-
z 0
o
0001 cc
0
:i =
5
9(
V. 0
a cc
75
TABLE 3. CUBE VERSES WEIGHT COMPARISONS
Solid-bag SP 40 1757 55
SP
Drum LP
Drum LP
[Bdr LP I
___I _ 1__
76
of LP is more efficient which would maximize the load hauling
to the user, the medium and quantity by which LPs are moved
determines the total efficiency of the logistical system. if
LP resupply is modeled after a gas station type of operation,
in the same manner as petroleum products, then the advantage
of LPs is realized and maximized. This means moving LPs in
large bulk until the last possible point in the logistical
chain.
The current projectile resupply aystem has proved to
be efficient, and can move ammunition with relative ease until
actual loading occurs from supply vehicle to tank. The
current SP rounds are packaged in fiber tubes, which are in
wooden boxes packed on pallets and banded. Transportation of
these boxes of ammunition to the MIAI tank from the supply
vehicle is currently done by hIumr. edia.Lm. This whole process
of unpacking and loading a tank may take more than an hour,
which is an unreasonable amount of time for troops and combat
77
easily accessible in one wooden box. This has reduced
ideal conditions.
15J.
M. VanDerwerken, "High Performance Regenerative
Liquid Propellant Gun Study," ADB099639L (Pittsfield, PA:
General Electric Company, Ordnance Systems, February 1986),
61.
lIsbid., 58.
7a
connections is when LPs are the most susceptible to
Part V
Demilitarization Issues
extremely hazardous. The HAN LPs are just the opposite since
Summary
discuss some key areas which effect costs savings that the
79
requirements and demilitarization and disposal of pr t,
80
CHAPTER 6
Introduction
tank.
Part I
Survivability
M1A1 M1A1-LP
Gun Performance
Velocity
Stowed Rounds 40 56
Ready Rounds
Rate of Fire
KE 8 Rds/Min 15 Rds/Min
Vehicle Weight
Wa Or Sr
'11 r"s na 0. ar ISS
ro thez 1SSa
"~ 14 5 At. OrI aS So r C IR an d.M .1%1 -1 aSS
83
and time to reload are key factors in both systems which were
3 VanDerwerken,
44.
4R.M.
Ogorkiewiez, "Future Tank Guns, Part 1: Solid and
Liquid Propellant Guns, " International Defense Review, Vol.
23, No. 12/1990: 1379.
84
utilized. The M1A1-LP by design can store "850 liters" 5 of
LP which is designed with a 30% excess above its basic load of
5vanDerwerken, 45.
ýMaureen M. Stark, "Logistics Analysi3 of the Impacts of
Liquid Propellants on the Ammunition Resupply System,"
ADBO87488L (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Ballistic
Research Laboratory, October 1984), j26.
TN. Klein, "Liquid Propellants for Use in Guns - A
Review," BRL-TR-2641 (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army
Ballistic Research Laboratory, February 1985), 28.
85
present in LPs."$ HAN LPs are stoichiometric, oxygen
8
gbid., 29.
r4
Part I I
Firepower
on the battlefield.
process.
11
VanDerwerken, 80.
Although the current LPG prototype system does not
Part III
Mobility
LP.
20Ogorkiewiez,
1379-1380.
88
The other factors such as rail movement, heavy equipment
Summary
The LPG system impact in each of those areas was evaluated for
89
CHAPTER 7
Introduction
Solid Propellant Gun (SPG) for the future main battle tank.
this thesis.
Part I
Conclusions
for the future main battle tank in the United States Army? To
so
drawn from this effort which give LPG advantages over the
91
low flammability, low shock sensitivity, and requirements to
ignite the propellant. These factors put HAN LPs ahead of any
and men.
required.
the THREAT nations. The rising cost of new technology and new
stewards of the tax payer's money, and get the most bomg 4a.
the buaJk. If the Army is searching for a new and better cost
4
effecte now in_ beter *y+et.n, in th. fialel ^f nronioq inb
92
Part I I
Recommendation
on the battlefield.
Summarv
The projected increase in vehicle lethality and crew
4A
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
95
Simpkin, Richard. Tank Warfare: An Analysis of Soviet and
NATO Tank Philosophy. London: Brassey's Publishers
Limited, 1979.
Periodicals
96
Howard, William L. "Technical intelligence and Tank Design,"
Armor. The Magazine of Mobile Warfare, XCIV (January-
February 1985): 24-29.
Kennedy, Donald R. "The Search for Safer Co~mbat Vehicles: H-ow
Close Are We Getting," Armor. The Mag-azine of Mobile
Warfare. XCVII (September-October 1988): 39-41.
99
Keller, George E., "The Competition Between Tube Heating and
Muzzle Velocity in Stick Propellant Gun Charges,"
ADA149311, U.S. Army Armament Research and Development
Center, Ballistic Research Laboratory, MD, July 1984.
Moore, Gary L., "Is A Turretless Tank a Viable Option for the
United States States Army?" ADA227389, U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, June
1990.
101
Morrison, Walter F. and Gloria P. Wren, " A Model of Liquid
Flow and Injection in a Regenerative Liquid Propellant
Gun," ADA218747, U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory,
MD, December 1989.
102
U.S. Army. FM 63-2. Combat Service SuDDort Operations -
Divisions. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army,
1983.
1Q
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