U. S.

NAVAL PROVING G1ROUNI)D T

I)AIELG1IENq VIRGINIA ^ELECTE

CN

(n A

:MEMORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

W 0 N
PROGRESS, REPORT

DEVELOPMENT
A RMOR-PI'ERC IN G
OF
NO0 V

HIGH VELOC ITY

PROJECT I LES

I November 19,47 APtJBF~P~1

UNCLASSIFIEIJUUlIB
COPY NO. 2 9
NDEXEU7
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NOTiCE OF CHANGE W~ CASý:FICATION
OPNAY OV - 5511-I t~ (4. 56 S /N 0107-7B36-1O000___

COMMA~NDER, NAVAL SURFACE WEAPONS CENTER 28 July 1977

DAHLGREN, VIRGINIA 22448
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The material derserlbadbelow. h*a been chAOqe tInclasulflcutlof. as Indicated. Addresriss shall Chan1. the C1419lllCAtiOn of Vo.0010 hold.

TO__ DE~~CcLAS31IEf
Nj
E
tWAOIED (0 _________DE _--- -

DAYIE A"D OESCCIPTION OF .4ATrWtAL (Avoid idwaitficetion which -.. d ,ea.. thisf~. a

NPG Report 1-47, "Progress Report No. 1 on Development of High Velocity Armor-Pie-rcing
Projectiles", November 1947.

REMARK WITH DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT "A"l - Approved for Public, Release

Distribution Unli~mited.

SIGNATURE OF AULJTHOIZING OFFICIAL ýý

 U. S. NAVAL PROVING GRCUND
DAIILGREN, VIRGINIA

NPG MEMORAiNDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

PROGRESS REPORT NO. 1 ON DEVELOPMENT OF

HIGH VELOCITY AR'fOR-PIERCIIýG PROJECTILES

Glancy W tgjt R
Prepared by: J. J.
Ordnance Engin\er 'i I'

Revieved by: Dr. R. H. Lyddane

Senior Physicist
Director of Terminal Ballistics Research

J. 0. Franklin
Comdr., USN
Terminal Bsllistics Officer
W. C. Bryson
Capt., USN
Experifental Officer
W. H. Benson
Capt., USN
Ordnance Officer

Approved by: _._

peagdm~iXal, UJSN M
Commanding Officer(00.0 t;I' °..-

"j -UNCLASS1i9.
 M•EORANDUM REPORT O. 1-4"7

PREFACE

AUTHORIZATI ON

This study is being carried out tnder Bureau of Ordnance

Task Assignment Re3b-202-1 as authorized by the Lureau of
Ordnance in reference (b). A copy of the local directive for
this Task Assignment is included in Appendix III. -

OBJECT
This progress report is part of a continuing investi-
getion to develop a 3" armor piercing projectile of irproved.
ballistic quality at high striking velocities and high
obliquities. The study described herein was conducted in
order to gain nore informaticn concerning the behavior of
currently available 3" AP projectiles when fired against 3" d
homogeneous armor at high obliquities and high irapct veloci-
ties up to the maximum presently obtainable.

S UMARY

Two available lots of 3" M62 Capped AP projectiles and

one lot of 3" Ik. 29-2 Capped AP projectiles were tested
versus 3" homogeneous armor at 120,000 p.s.i. tensile strength
at 30' and 45' obliquity. Ballistic limits were obtained
when possible under the above conditions. Striking velocities
of the projectiles were then increzsed in increments above
the limit velocities up to the raximur presently obtainable.
The condition of projectiles after impact was observed.

In general the terminal ballistic perforrance of M62

projectiles was poorer than that of Mk. 29-2 projectiles.
In terms of BuOrd Sk. 78841, the ballistic limits of M62
projectiles were higher than those of Mk. 29-2 projectiles.
Up to the highest irpact velocities obtained and reported
herein (approximately 2900 ft./sec.), the Yk. 29-2 projectiles
showed no shatteer, but the M62 projectiles split ani broke up
on impact even at striking velocities above the limit. The
hardness. pattern made of one M62 projectile shows a soft
area at the nose which probably accounts fc-r the poor per-
formance of the M62 projectiles.

Page i

- - '. ... I ~I"- _A& . . . J _ - -

 •EMORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

REFERENCES
(a) Definitions of Terms Used in the Ballistic Testing
of Armor. Revision B. U. S. Naval Proving Ground
Report No. 10-46 dated June 1946.
(b) BuOrd Itr. S78-1(55) Re3 (Re3b-202)
daIted 30 September 1947 to NPG.

(c) BuOrd ltr. S78-1(55) Re3 (Re3b-202)

dated 8 August 1947 to NPG.

(d) Office of the Chief of Ordnance ltr. ORDTM

dated 28 July 1947 to BuOrd.

Page ii
 E•MORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

I. INTRODUCTION
The contemplated use of high muzzle velocity guns
makes it important that the Army and Navy develop armor-
piercing projectiles with satisfactory performance against
armor at high striking velocities. The Naval Proving Ground
has undertaken the task of developing 3" armor-piercing pro-
jectiles with improved ballistic qualities at high striking
velocities and high obliquities. Additional information
about this task Is given in references (b), (c), and (d).
This first progress report describes the performance of two
existing 3" AP projectiles at triking velocities above
limit against 3' homogeneous armor at 300 and 45' obliquity.

- HCLASSIED
MEMORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Projectiles:
Chevrolet 14.7 lb. 3" M62 Capped AP Projectile
Lot CM-2-81-1943 and Lot CM-3-59-1943
Oldsmobile 13 lb. 3" Mk. 29-2 Capped AP Projectile
Lot 130-1942
Figure 1 is a photograph of these projectiles.
Figure 2 is a hardness pattern of 3" 162 projectile
Lot-2-81-1943.
Plates:
3" Class B Carnegie-Illinois No. X-9021
3" Class B Carnegie-Illinois No. BD-389 1/4
Chemical Analysis of Plates
C Mn P S Si Ni Cr
C.I. X-9021 .31. .25 .013 .020 .08 3.26 1.43
C.I. BD-389 1/4 .34 .25 .013 .020 .08 4.10 2.23
Physical Properties of Plates
Two 3' x 3' sections from each of the above plates
were used in the ballistic tests. The follow.ing table lists
the arbitrary numbers assigned each of the sections and the
physical properties of each plate section:
Table I
APL
Plate Plate No. Y.S(2q) T.S. El. f BHN RC
C.I. X-9021 673 102,475 121,650 22.0 60.3 256 23.8
C.I. X-9021 675 101,725 120,800 22.3 62.0 256 23.1
C.I. BD-389 1/4 676 98,600 120,100 24.0 67.9 255 23.1
C.I. BD-3891/4 677 101,100 120,300 23.0 65.3 256 23.0
Yield Strength (Y.S.), Tensile Strength (T.S.), % Elongation
(% El.), and % Reduction of Area (% RA) are the average of
two tests. Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) and Rockwell "C"
Hardness (Rc) are the average of five readings.
Methods:
All ballistic lirits in this repcrt are expressed
in terms of F(e/d,Q) values, where F(e/d,Q) is defined as
follows:
F(e/d,Q) = 41.7 M1/2 VL Cos. 9

-2-
N119- 3 5025 3" Pro,! v ttles ci 1r d: I.eft, i" .' k. .9-2 AP ,;Etpped Lot 130-L9)42, V,'afu-
facturer - lRiid 't.,t , 3" !'62 :V Capped lot C31'-2-81-1943,
.T3obi.le; I'anufacturer -
Chevrolo t.
October 1947 -Now_
UNCLASSIFIED

FIG. I
NP935487
17 OCT06ER 1947
HARDNESS DISTRIBUTION AND MACROSECTION OF
3"AP PROJECTILE M62 MANUFACTURED BY

CHEVROLET LOT No. CM-2-81

Hardness Values: Vickers Pyramid (50kg.)
Etch: Ammonium Persulphate

L A•; #IS IF• I L.r L)

681 670 6?0 666 681

47 5 64 5341 9
247 6 6 /~8 48>\ 07

276Q/3824 284 'ý80\612 245

/636Q224k
.• 264 2.e&ok07

/492/265 265 265 \4.8, 5

494 266 266 265 -92 (52 RC)

342 270 269 271

298 274 271 272 29\

274 274 73 277\

2[5 /\276o (36RC)

276 277

S275 278
27.7 26279 279
2Q1 2130

281 SCALE 280

I INCH
FIG. 2
MEMORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

Where

!, is the projectile mass in pounds, VL, is the limit

velocity in feet per second (the minflMm velocity required
for the major portion of the projectile to pass completely
through the plate), 9, the obliquity, is the angle between
the. normal to the plate and the line of flight, e, is the
plate thickness in inches at the point of impact, and g, is
the diameter of the projectile in inches. All quantities
entering on the right side of the defining expression above
are susceptible of measurement. The limit penetration
coefficient, or F-coefficient, as the method of wrIting
shows, is a function of e/d and 0 only. Its usefulness lies
in the fact that it is a slowly varying function of these
quantities and that Its use enables comparison between plates
of slightly differing thicknesses tested at slightly differ-
ing obliquities by projectiles of slightly differing proper-
ties.

The striking coefficient, usually designated by Fs,

is defined in the same mariner as the F-coefficient except
that the velocity entering into the formula is striking
velocity rather than limit velocity. It is useful for
interpolation in. allowing for small changes in obliquity and
thickness for the several impacts in a limit determination.
It is customary in the Navy to refer F-coefficients
to the empirical expression, derived from a 1931 analysis of
penetration data, embodied in Bureau of Ordnance Sketch No.
78841. F-coefficients thus referred are expressed as 1%
Sk. 78841". In this connection care must be taken not to
expect that a plate of average quality will necessarily have
a limit of 100%, and by the same token, not to compare limits
in % Sk. 78841 taken under widely differing conditions.
More complete information on all the above terms
is to be found in reference (a).

UNCLASSIFIED,
3 amp"
MEMORANDUM 'REPORT NO. 1-47

III. RESULTS
The results are given in detail in Appendices I
and II and are suxnarized in Table II

IV. DISCUSSION:
3" Mk. 29-2 Capped A,_P. Proectiles,
Against 3" homogeneous armor at 300 and 45'
obliquity the 3" Mk. 29-2 projectiles generally remained
intact and effective at striking velocities up to the
maximum velocity tested to date, namely, up to approxinrtely
2900 feet per second.

3" M62 Caped A. P. Projectiles.

Against 3" homogeneous arror at 30' and 45'
obliquity the M62 projectiles from both lots fired showed a
tendency to split and break up at striking velocities up to
the maximum velocity tested to date, namely, up to approxi-
mately 2700 feet per second.

Future Action.
A lot of M62 projectiles of proven high quality is
being procurred and tests of this lot should definitely
establish the ballistic quality of the M62 projectile. In
addition tests of currently available 3" projectiles will
continue at higher velocities and other conditions until
complete datr are obtained.

UNCLASSIEIED
-4-
 MWMORANIJUI RiEPORT NO. 1-47

0) 4-3 Q) F o a)CI,
0
0 'o ) $
H 0 H 0 C)0
C) A4 0 ) 0 9 _ _ 0 ) E
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(Y (Y) 0
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ro
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-- UNCLASSIFIUUkw
MEMORAMUM REPORT NO. 1-47

V. FACILITIES

Certain special, tools needed for the fabrication

of projectiles are being obtained by the Navy. Procurement
of these is proceeding satisfactorily. It is expected that
the task of manufacturing the first complete projectile can
be undertaken by 1 April 1948.

In addition, steps have been taken to obtain an

experimental, high-velocity gun. A 5"/151 caliber gun li.ned
down to 3" caliber has been ordered for this purpose. It
will take, however, at least six (6) months to obtain this
gun. It is hoped to minJmize the time interval before high
velocities can be obtained by the temporary use of a 3"/70
gun.

J.Glancy
Ordnance Engineer

UNCLASSIFIED
-6-
]AE1tORANDUM., REPORT NO. 1-47

APPLIDIX I

IMPACT DATA

3" M62 & 3" Mk. 29-2

vs
3" Class B Plate

at

30 & 45") obliquity

UNCLASSIFIED
MWMORANDUM REPORT NO 1-47

SYMBflOLS

e ...-. Plate thickness at impact in inches

- -------- Obliquity. Angle between trajectory and
normal, to plate at impoct.
I- ------- Projectile mass in lbs.
VS -- -.- - - - - Striking velocity in feet per second.
Pene. - - - - Depth of penetration in inchcs measured
from front surface normal to plane of plate.
F (e/d,G) - - F coefficient - Limit penetration coefficient.

FS -- - - - - - - - The striking coefficient - It is the same as

the F coefficient except that striking velocity
is used instead of limit velocity.
% Limit Penetration F coefficient in % of
empirical F (e/d,@) value (BuOrd Sk. 78841).
CP -- Complete penetration. Major portion of
projectile completely through the plate.
Inc. ------- Incomplete penetration. Major portion of the
projectile rejected.
SIP Projectile stuck in plate.
Intact - - - Projectile whole but may be deformed.
Eff. - --.--
--- Effective. Cavity and base plug not injured.
Projectile would detonate if loaded and fuzed.
Split - - - - The projectile split into two or more parts
along its longitudinal axis.
For ballistic limit and other definitions see reference (a).

UNCLASSIEIEL
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CIO" -l f
MEMORANDUM REPORT NO. 1-47

APPENDIX II

IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHS

3" M62 & 3" Mk. 29-2

vs
3" Class B Plate

at

30Q & 450 obliquity

UNCLASSIFIED
 " aP ' letoN.63(2~C.""
";r)' I i,7
JY 1~ 1, fv
[Ow.'1" 29-;2 P'rjo u Q 10.9n
vlew. , ez+,.. ; N" 23 .. L',' md.l:++e
Ii.I. No Pm Il.
48• '3.12 3'6"0"
3 3"209 ?9'IC.., 27 11 F.t.. 6"
24.1 lit C6) BRN
m C N'acke'l, noor aff.
Bn.one
of r.
Crncked off, riot
,871, 3'.'2 6i 2 '910, 21 71 123 C3,.
43'"211 Noje 1;reckod, Fft,
i )p.
0ce' -b42
4t376 3"212 126 NJo2e Aracked . eff.
4877 3020' 2747
?:21Ž 3r"1o, 2655 130 Cp. No o Cracked, eff.
4 31'/8 31.1207 1t' Cp. lntý,ct, eff.
3(, '1 2817 134 Cr. rntaot,. ert.
4' -,'q '11'209 3('20' 2879 137 C ,. Intuct, off.
4890 3"211 3002Gt 2920 139 Cp. InLact, eff.
15, 17 Sept. 1,A7

.+,..:" i xf
•m + in'l++ "

'I E

.. 0J,
+:"- ,t'] ...

4
 t,*j tn i i7f` !I "W ' '7. T. X 0( 1 1'',
"ýI, fl7rtiL view hild d(itti on

CU

Ak-
11P9 )5437 -APt Mlate No. 675 020O C1. 'B' -.. I. NO. XWZI)1 T.b. 120,800 Fal V3.
3" AP M162 and 3" )Wk. 29-2 AP Projeatlltai at 30' Obliquity, F'RON'1 VIIW. iSo Nr9 P,4JP
for back view.

R.I Ro 00 -1" i-At21 f ___*. Pio'. od

48ft APL 3V207 30*101 2423 123 Inc. 3-1/2" split. no'tart.
4865 31209 309109 2522 126 Coop. B.T.P. Bsroken, split, noit off.
4W86 31211 300104 2649 134 Ccomp. Broken, al At, not offý
4"?7 If.29-2 37197 300101 2606 125 Cor~p. Intact, oft.
48668 3220* 30#201 2740 1I37 comp. Boei!tntof

17, 1 ~UPI-CASSIFIED
~
 NP9 35438 -APL Pl1ate No. 675 (?
Op ftor front view and data on iu"~.N.101 ~zTXS
(370a]-.
48-6 "aC BCKTM P 5)
17, 18 Sep... 1947 48-8AL

UiNCLASSIfFI ED
IT

NP9 3S439 - ATL Ill& ,t No. O S7 (3.10 CI. "R " C.:1. o. X (, j j' Ir. . ,, •j' ,,
3" AP M62 and 3" Vk. -9-2 A:, rro,@e:tI1 at 30" t'j Iqu, ty. K,•'N X.
for book via".

B.I. No. ".0 .0" . v(a. Peng. -rjX'd

4884 APL 31207 30*10' 2423 123 Inc. 3-1/2" Split, 1.ot off.
4885 31209 30"]0' 1522 128 CoMp.B.I.P. Broken, split, not eff.
4886 37211 30"10' 2649 134 Comp. Broken, split, nut off.
4"7 hk.29-2 31197 30010' 2606 125 comr. Intact, off.
4868 31204 30020' 2740 137 Comp. Broken, split, not eff.
4889 31203 29040' 2618 13) Coop. Bjody crooked, off.
4890 31200 29040' 2496 127 Ins. 2-3/4- Jplit, not oft.
4891 31199 290401 2627 134 Ina. Split, not off.
4892 3197 30o10' 2755 14C Comp. Nose split, off.
17. 18. 22 Sept. 1%7
UNCLASSIFIED
 3¶4, . P .ICI No. AV( 41l BACK VVA4. J;ee NP'l .S4j9
for fronit view6 t:d dfth( on r-,IrECts 44?4-9ý' A71..

IJNCLPSSK""jiu

VIM

Rolm -ww -S
 NI'~~ -AVL P-io Noj. U1r' ()'?c w. "e'. b150
Ii A8
v.3 . ,2AT' PrrOjectiISS St 45' Ohl:Ju LY
be :k view.
r.;- Vf,.,,, ~ '.

489.3 A M. VOW
47 " *40' 2810 10' Comy. Intaut,t ff.
#a89 )V055 4500' 2730 10 Comp, Si ' ,, , err.
46#95 31059 44*40' 2752 1C-4 Ino. B-5/"
aseo -roo&,d, if.
4196
4,97
37043
31044
~4O*4'
" 140,
21/50 104 In~c. 2-1)/4" Bass gnuAMI rln m -f;
2900 (@at.) IlI Coaop. . eaqe gouged ,Aff.
4$"19 31040 44'451 2772 106 InO. .1-3.1" BOA ocuomd., off.
4699 )?35 4i4*40' 2701 103 SIP 2-5/9" B8ase goug.ed
22. 23 sop%. 1•,.7 off.

UNCLASS1 9ED

V
#"
NP9 3544." - API, Plate No. 676 (37C cl. "B~" C.I. No. BD 38i9 1/4) 13ACi( VIFV. .;e#
N!'9 35441 for front view and data on impaots 4893-99 jLPL.
22, 23 Sept. 190~

UNCLASSIFIED
NlP9 3',48i - APL Pluto No. 67? ()7C0 Cl * "B" C.*I * No. B D 349-I/4) .J. 12.0, 300 psi
vs. 3"?' i.b2 1,1 Pr'o jctiies "t 45' Obliquity. FRONT VIErW, :;ee NP9 35480 f r b~ok
view.

11.1. No. "e'

(d" Sv.(f.'lj Pone. poJ,. Cond.
4900 A111 30005 45-00f 2487 101 Inc . Jhat~tered, not eff.
4901 370O13 45 '40' 2649 106 Ino. 3ha ttmred riot mfr
24 Sept. :1947
NP9 35486 - APL P'late No. 677 (3`0 01.
"H" 0.I. No. 389-1/4)
N09 35485 for Front View and data on ilTpata 8ACK VIWFW. :me
24 $ept. 1947a 4900-01 AP-I..

*1*~i

-% ~ t'
MEMORANDUM 'REPORT NO. 1-.47

APPENDIX III

LOCAL DIRECTIVES

UCtASSIFIED

Abm
MEMORANDUJM REPORT NO. 1-47
COPY

U. S. NAVAL PROVING GROUND

DAHLGREN, VIRGINIA

15 September 1947

PROJECT TL-3212-1.2
Directive for Tests Nos. 1 and 2.

1. In order to gain more information concerning

The behavior of presently available 3" AP projectiles as a
preliminary to evolving new designs, it is desired to test
the 3" AP Mk. 29-2 and 3" AP M62 projectiles against Class
A and Class B armor, with particular attention to the highest
striking "elocities obtainable.
2. Until the completion of this series of tests,
the procedure to be followed in firing will be to determine
the limit on the plate, increase the velocity in approximately
200 f.s. steps to the raxi'umn attainable, then fire additional
rounds as necessary to explore the "shatter region" more
fully. The 3"/450 gun and Mk. 29-2 and M62 projectiles will
be used.
3. Test No. 1 will be fired under the following
conditions: 3" Class B plate, of approximately 120,000 psi
tensile strength, at 300 obliquity. Test No. 2 will be fired
under the same conditions, except that the obliquity will be
45c.

J. G. FRANKLIN
Armor Officer

Copy to: BO, XO, TO, TL(3), TK.