Artillery, Ballistics and Ammunition
This 286 page, illustrated handbook provides the reader with a complete introduction to ballistics and ammunition.
Aimed those wishing to research this science, you will find this publication on the finer points of ballistics and ammunition easy to read and entirely informative.
Topics covered in this handbook are:
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BALLISTICS
Section 1 – General
- Introduction
- Application
Section 2 – Definitions
- General
- Intrinsic Elements
- Initial Elements
- Terminal Elements
- Definitions Relating to Equipment
CHAPTER 2 – INTERNAL BALLISTICS
Section 1 – Introduction
- General
- Summary of Events
- Velocity and Pressure
- Distribution of Energy
- Muzzle Velocity and Weight of Propellant Charge
Section 2 – Propellant
- General
Section 3 – The Effects of Variations in Loading Conditions
- General
- Position of All–Burnt
- Variation in Charge Weight
- Variation in Propellant Size
- Variation in Projectile Weight
- Variation in Propellant Shape
- Variation in Chamber Capacity
- Variation in Bore Area
- Variation in Shot–Start Pressure
- Variation in Shot–Travel
- Variation in Charge Weight, Propellant Size and Shape
Section 4 – Charge Design and Muzzle Velocity
- Charge Design
- Muzzle Velocity
- Propellant Manufacture
- Propellant Proof
- Propellant Temperature
- Moisture Content of Propellants
- Position of Bagged Propellant in the Chamber
- Ammunition Lots
- Weight of Projectile
- Non–Uniform Ramming
- Driving Bands
- Fall–Back
- Coppering
- Propellant Residue
- Effect of Barrel Wear
- Abnormal Internal Ballistic Effects
- Occasion–to–Occasion Effect (Day–to–Day Effect)
- Charge–to–Charge Propellant Performance
- Calibration
- Tolerances in New Equipments
- Determination of Muzzle Velocity
- Velocity Trend
CHAPTER 3 – EXTERNAL BALLISTICS
Section 1 – In–Vacuum/in–Air Trajectories
- General
- Motion in a Vacuum
- Characteristics of In–Vacuum Trajectory
- Motion in Air
- Characteristics of the In–Air Trajectory
Section 2 – The Atmosphere
- General
- The Atmosphere
- Regions of the Atmosphere
- Regions of Concern to Artillery
Section 3 – Forces Due to Air Resistance
- Drag
- Velocity
- Effects Due to Velocity
- Projectile Design
- Ballistics Coefficient
- Angle of Yaw
- Stabilization
- Over–stabilized and Unstable Projectiles
Section 4 – Drift
- General
- Gyroscopic Considerations
- Gyroscopic Motion of a Spinning Projectile
- Drift Due to Equilibrium Yaw
- Coriolis Effect
- Magnus Effect
- Poisson Effect
- Lateral Jump
- Drift Constant
- Cross–wind Effect
Section 5 – Rotation of the Earth
- General
- Effects of Rotation on Range
- Rotation Effects on Bearing
- Application of Corrections
CHAPTER 4 – TERMINAL BALLISTICS
Section 1 – Introduction
- General
Section 2 – Terminal Effects
- General
- High Explosive Effect
- Fragment Patterns
- Effects Achieved
- Carrier Shell
- Anti–Tank Projectile
Section 3 – The Effectiveness of Fire
- General
- Effectiveness of Gun and Mortar Fire
- Equivalent for Other Guns
Section 4 – Crater Analysis
- General
- Examination of Shell Craters
- Examining Mortar Bomb Craters
- Shell Identification
CHAPTER 5 – BALLISTIC METEOROLOGY
Section 1 – Introduction
- General
- Atmospheric Properties
Section 2 – The Determination of Ballistic Met Data
- Determination of Met Data
- Computer Met Messages
Section 3 – Validity of Met
- General
- Space Validity
- Time Validity
- Criterion for Selection of Met Data
CHAPTER 6 – VARIATIONS AND CORRECTIONS
Section 1 – Nature of Variations
- General
- Definition
- Standard Conditions
- Variations in Range, Time of Flight and Vertex
- Variations in Bearing
- Standard and Non–Standard Conditions
- Cross–Term Effects
Section 2 – Corrections
- Definition
- Corrections to Elevation or Range
- Description of Range Corrections
Section 3 – Distinction Between Range Variations and Range Corrections
- Difference in Sign
- Difference in Size
Section 4 – Determination of Corrections
- General
- Determination of Range Correction of the Moment
- Non–Standard Projectile Correction
- Rotation Correction
- Non–Rigidity Correction
- MV Correction
- Description of Bearing Corrections
- Bearing Variations and Bearing Corrections
- Description of Fuze Setting Corrections
- MV Variations
- Correction of the Moment
- Angle of Sight
- Mechanical Fuzes
- Corrections in High Angle Fire
- Reduction of Data
CHAPTER 7 – ACCURACY AND CONSISTENCY OF ARTILLERY FIRE
Section 1 – Introduction
- Definitions
Section 2 – Statistics for the Gunner
- Introduction
- Measures of Central Tendency
- Measures of Dispersion
- Combination of Dispersions
- The Normal Distribution Curve
Section 3 – Dispersion and Probability
- General
- Mean Point of Impact
- Probable Error
- Dispersion Pattern
- Dispersion Scale
- Normal Probability Curve
- Range Probable Error
- Fork
- Deflection Probable Error
- Vertical Probable Error
- Airburst Probable Error
- Application of Probable Errors
- Probability Tables
- Most Probable Position of the Mean Point of Impact
- Single Shot Hit Probability and Assurance
- Single Shot Hit Probability for Bias Targets
- Conversion of a Circular Target to an Equivalent Square
- Assurance and Assurance Graphs
CHAPTER 8 – FIRE CONTROL DATA
Section 1 – Establishing Ballistic Data
- General
- Determination of Basic Ballistic Data
- Processing of Ballistic Data
- Non–Standard Ammunition
- Preparation of Computer Tapes and Firing Tables
Section 2 – Tabular Firing Tables
- General
- Construction of the Firing Tables
- Firing Table Layout
CHAPTER 9 – AMMUNITION
Section 1 – Introduction
- General
- Definitions
- Service Classification
Section 2 – Propellants
- Introduction
- Propellant Shape
- Propellant Design Considerations
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Single, Double and Triple Base Propellants
- Granulation
- Flash and Smoke
- Common Propellant Additives
Section 3 – High Explosives
- General
- Major Groups of High Explosives
- Explosive Train
- Miscellaneous Explosives
Section 4 – Cartridge Systems
- Introduction
- QF Cartridge
- BL Cartridge
- Primers
- The Complete Round
- Practical Considerations (Care and Handling)
- Charges
- Propellant Proof and Charge Adjustment
Section 5 – Projectiles
- Introduction
- Projectile Definitions
- Factors Affecting Projectile Design
- Factors Affecting Ballistic Performance
- Projectile Stressed on Firing
- Driving Bands
- High Explosive Projectile (Internal Form and Dimensions)
- Carrier Projectiles
Section 6 – Anti–Tank Projectiles
- General
- High Explosive Anti–Tank Projectiles
Section 7 – Fuses
- Introduction
- Design Principles
- Forces FTsed in Arming Fuzes
- Classification
- Impact Fuzes
- Time Fuzes
- Mechanical Time Mechanism
- Electronic Time Fuzes
- Boosters
- Proximity Fuzes
Section 8 – Ammunition Marking
- General
Section 9 – Ammunition Sorting
- General
- Additional Information
Section 10 – Ammunition Preparation
- General
Section 11 – Prematures
- General
ANNEX A – EXAMPLE COMPUTATION OF IN–VACUUM TRAJECTORY
ANNEX B – EXPLANATORY NOTES ON SOME Si UNITS
ANNEX C – REFERENCES AND STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENTS