40mm Grenade Ammunition Panel Papers

21 May, 2009

40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects Team

Development of a 40mm Mann Barrel System for both High and Low
Velocity Ammunition
21 May, 2009

Adam Sorchini, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects

 Program Objectives

• Develop 40mm test fixture for both High and Low

Velocity ammunition
• Design electronically controlled breech system for
remote initiation
• Ensure that new Mann barrel system interfaces
with current data acquisition system to record
EPVAT (Electronic Pressure, Velocity, and Action
Time)
 Previous Designs

• Previously version of Mann barrel breech used pinball style plunger

to initiate primer
• Pin on rope/pulley system was used to release plunger remotely
• Previous breech used interrupted thread to interface with barrel
requiring custom fitting
 Modeling & Simulation

• Mann barrel is rated up to a max pressure of 20 ksi

with failure at ~60 ksi
• Breech lugs see highest stress concentrations on lug
corners
 Modeling & Simulation

• Used ADAMS to refine the Mann barrel firing energy to match

the MK19 and M203 weapons
– Matched value of energy at primer initiation
– By changing the firing pin and firing pin spring, the breech is easily
converted from a high velocity system to a low velocity system
 Initial Prototype

• Mann Barrel System with electronically controlled breech

system
– Design based on Cannon Cal Mann barrel breech
– Solenoid released hammer
– Action Time start signal triggered by hammer fall
– Multiple pressure ports
• Lugged breech configuration allows for interchangeability and
eliminates the need to custom fit breeches to barrels
• Tolerance and Fits
– Collaborated with fabricator to develop proper tolerance scheme to
achieve desired fitments
Next Generation Mann Barrel
Breech Lock-Up
Lugged breech allows
interchangeability
Clearances
between barrels

Spring Plunger
Removes Clearances
For Tight Lock-up
 Next Generation Mann Barrel
Hammer & Spring Design

• New hammer and spring system

provides improved consistency
over plunger system
– More consistent primer initiation
– More accurate Action Time Start
signal
– Commercially available spring
(AR15/M16A1 hammer spring) Original Hammer Design
• Upgrades to system:
– New two-piece axle design
allows for easier installation
– New hammer design allows
operator to cock hammer easily
– Assembly simplified

User Friendly Hammer &

Two-Piece Axle System
 Next Generation Mann Barrel
Safety Upgrades

• Upgrade to system includes internal safety interlock

– Cartridge cannot be initiated until breech is locked
– Manual safety necessary but secondary

Locked Unlocked
 Path Forward

• ARDEC currently refining the Mann barrel to

maximize user friendliness and safety
• Long term plan to introduce system into
production for lot acceptance testing
• Considering ways to determine difference
between breeches equipped for high or low
velocity ammunition
• Perform 1,000 round endurance test
• Comparison test of Mann barrel to MK19
Development of a 40mm High Velocity Single Chamber
Cartridge Case (SCCC)
21 May, 2009

Matthew Millar, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects

Peter Martin, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects
 Single Chamber Cartridge Case
Program Objectives

• Replace standard dual chamber M169 cartridge case with single

chamber case
• Reduces cost
• Reduces number of critical/major defects and inspections at the
system level
• Does not degrade current performance
 SCCC Benefits

• Eliminate gun stoppage

– Excessive base plug movement

• Eliminate bolt face erosion

– Leaking of hot propellant gases past the base plug

• Safety
– Inability to fire de-bulleted cartridge case into barrel
– Eliminates base plug ejection during cook-off situation

• Reduce cost
– Elimination of base plug and closing cup
– Easing manufacturing processes
– Reduce critical/major defect inspection
 SCCC Program Approach

• Phase I – Design Development

– Evaluation of case material, primer, propellant
confinement methods
– Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to support design,
material, and process development
– Process and quality assurance criteria
– Evaluate design, material, and process and quantify
variables
• Phase II – Design Validation
– Evolve manufacturing process
– Advanced performance analysis/assessment
• Phase III – Production Verification
– Comprehensive verification tests for transition to
production
 SCCC Material Selection

Objectives:
• Establish producible SCCC configuration
• Select and define SCCC material ensuring strength, quality, and
Affordability
• Establish a reliable, repeatable high volume manufacturing
process ensuring availability, and affordability

• Material candidates (6061, 6061 PT, 6066, 6070)

– Stress/Strain under pressure
– Crimp/Pull test
– Thermal effects
– Weapon interface

• 6061-T6 chosen as case material

– Cost, formability, strength
 SCCC Modeling and Simulation

 MK19 weapon function

and interface simulation
 Completed FEA with
candidate materials

FEA on Unsupported Area

of Case
Bullet Pull Analysis

MK19 Simulation
 SCCC Propulsion
Modeling and Simulation
SCCC, type 4C at Ambient
• Objective 12000 800

– Determine appropriate propellant for SCCC 10000

700

600

– Determine charge weights 8000

Pressure, psi

Velocity, ft/s
500

– Model pressures and velocities 6000 400

300
4000
200
2000

• Propellant Candidates 0
100

0
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 2.00
– M9 Flake, Mil-P-50206 Time, ms

– M2 Single Perf, Mil-P-60989

– M9 Flake, Mil-P-48127 IB Analysis

Propellant Charge Pressure, Velocity, % prop

Wt, g psi ft/s burnt

M9 Flake, Mil-P-50206 3.00 11952 769 100

(D=0.034”, L=0.005”)
3.25 13478 807 100
Producibility and Availability
M9 Flake, Mil-P-48127 3.25 10057 766 100
(D=0.058”, L=0.006”)
3.50 11239 804 100

M2 Single Perf, Mil-P-60989 3.00 3495 358 38

(D=0.039”, L=0.048”,
web=0.016”) 4.00 3423 435 39
 Propellant Confinement Method

• Objective
• Confine the propellant in the cavity from cartridge case loading until firing
• Closure disc adhere to anodized aluminum
• Ease of assembly / support high volume production Combustible Plug
• Immune to environmental/aging effects
• Compatible with propellant
• Candidates
– 5 adhesive discs & 1 combustible plug
• Various facestock and adhesive

• Down-selected candidates Closing Discs

– Cost, adhesive strength, ease of assembly,
compatibility
DISC
MATERIAL
Aluminum
7830
8414
Chic A
Chic B
NC
7871
 Ignition System

• Objective
– Repeatable output and sensitivity
– Output to support combustion of propellant

• Primer Candidates
– W209 (shotshell primer) & Fed215 (large rifle
magnum)
• W209 more sensitive & higher energetic output
• Similar profiles and action times
• Fed215 more production oriented
• Closed bomb analysis - primers are interchangeable
when used with the same propellant
 Charge Establishment

• Established baseline performance of M169 case using Mann Barrel

• Initial propellant charge weight for SCCC determined from IB code
– Charge weights constant for two closing discs
– Charge weight adjusted for combustible plug energy
• Cases loaded to ±5% of initial IB code weight
– Fired at hot (+165ºF), cold (-65ºF), and ambient (70ºF)
• Test showed signs of unburned propellant
– IPT is investigating ways to improve propellant efficiency
 Path Forward

• Optimize propulsion system efficiency

– Alternate primer
– Alternate propellant
• Down select to best propulsion system and
confinement method & continue maturity
• Continue into next phase of testing
– Environmental
– Rough handling
– MK19 integration
– Qualification
– Production transition
M385A1 Composite Projectile Feasibility Study
21 May, 2009

Christopher Summa, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects

 Overview

• Objectives
– Reduce unit cost
– Integrate rotating band to projectile body
– Meet existing requirements of M385A1

• Method
– Replace aluminum with injection molded
plastic/metal powder composite
– Reduce manufacturing/assembly operations
 Feasibility Studies

• Phase 1: Characterize and down-select materials

• Phase 2: Mold, assemble, and inspect projectiles
• Phase 3: Conduct live fire and environmental testing

• Results of Phases 1-3:

– Some success test firing from Mk19 Mod 3 GMG
– Gas cap required for projectile to survive launch
– Improvement potential for part strength and dimensional stability

• Phase 4: Follow On Effort

– Projectile Design Changes
– Mold Optimization Analysis
– Mold Modification
– Produce/Inspect Projectiles
– Inspection
– Test Firing at ARDEC
 Projectile Design Changes

Previous Design New Design

1. Moved gate location from

side to top

2. Saddle region thickened to

match M430A1 HEDP
(tactical cartridge)

3. Gas cap recess added to

mold core pin

4. Steel gas cap assembled

to aft of projectile

Material: PA 6/10 with Stainless Steel Fill

 Mold Optimization Analysis

• Mold flow analysis baselined on original geometry

• Analysis calibrated to actual projectile dimensions
from original effort
• New projectile geometry implemented into analysis
• Used fill material similar to PA 6/10 with SS
– Better characterized than actual material
• Gate configuration, size, and location optimized
• Full round top gate superior to existing side fan gate:
1. Reduced core pin deflection
2. Part geometry more stable
3. Less part ovality
 Mold Optimization Analysis

Side Fan Gate Top Gate

 Mold Modification

• Top gate implemented before other modifications

• Examined shrink rate with top gate on current geometry
• Modified existing mold cavity and core pin

New Gate

Old Gate
 Path Forward

• Contractor to mold & inspect 100 projectiles

• Test Firing
– Performed at Armament Technology Facility (ATF) located
at ARDEC
– Hot, Cold, Ambient cartridge conditioning
– Unlinked & linked belt configuration (single shot and burst)
from Mk19 Mod 3 GMG
– EPVAT Testing from Mann Barrel
• Muzzle Velocity
• Pressure
• Action Time
• PM to decide future of composite projectile program
– Technology applicable to other cost reduction programs
Producibility Improvements of 40mm High and Low Velocity Liners
21 May, 2009

James Grassi, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects

 Program Objectives

• M433 HEDP One-Piece Liner

(Low Velocity – M203 GL)
– Reduce cost of liner production by
combining components
– Improve penetration reliability M433 HEDP

• M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

(High Velocity – Mk19 GMG)
– Reduce cost of liner production by
simplifying geometry

M430A1 HEDP
 Baseline Testing and M&S

• Baseline Testing
– Performed at ARDEC using production
hardware
– Jet tip formation X-Ray of Jet Formation
• Spin and no spin
• Events captured by x-ray
– Tip velocity
– Jet straightness
– Armor penetration depth
• Spin and no spin
• RHA steel plates Penetrated RHA
Test Projectile
• Baseline Modeling and Simulation
– Test data feeds into baseline model
• Model represents actual
performance
– Baseline model stepping stone to
design improvements
Jet Formation Simulation
 M433 HEDP One-Piece Liner
Program Overview

• ARDEC Warheads designed liner based on validated

simulation
• ARDEC Ammo integrated apex cap & retaining ring
features
– Analysis showed slight jet velocity loss with integrated apex cap at
full wall thickness
• Phase 1 - fabricate liners with varying apex cap
thickness & perform static armor penetration test
– Objective: determine max allowable apex thickness
• Integrated Product Team
– PM-MAS
– ARDEC (Ammo & Warheads)
– DSE (Prime Contractor)
– FCI & Trans-Matic (Liner Mfg Sub-Contractor)
– American Ordnance (Projectile Assembly)
M433 HEDP One-Piece Liner

One-Piece Liner
1. Retaining Ring replaced by press fit
flange
2. Liner elongated and added radius
3. Liner Cap integrated into liner apex
 M433 HEDP One-Piece Liner

• Challenges
– Required multiple iterations on both liner &
explosive press tooling
– Flange not forming up as expected and leaving void
under flange (flange not supported)
Explosive
Tooling Gap

Contact should be
farther out radially to Flange Not
eliminate annular
Forming As
depression
Anticipated
 M433 HEDP One-Piece Liner
Results & Path forward

• Phase 1 Results
– Slightly greater penetration
– Can function with full apex cap wall thickness
– Requires optimization of flange design to improve
loading

• Path forward
– Conduct Phase 1B contract
• Fabricate optimized liners
• Jet characterization & penetration lab tests
• Gun launch projectiles against armor plate
 M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

• ARDEC Warheads designed liner & ARDEC Ammo

teamed with contractors to integrate producibility
enhancements
• Phase 1 - fabricate liners & perform static shaped
charged jet characterization & armor penetration test
• No spin
• Multiple spin rates analyzed due to large spin decay over
effective range

Fluted Liner

Non-Fluted
Liner
M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

Non-Fluted Liner
1. Flutes in liner removed

2. Slight radius added to liner

 M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

• Integrated Product Team

– PM-MAS
– ARDEC (Ammo & Warheads)
– AMTEC (Prime Contractor)
– FCI & Trans-Matic (Liner Mfg Sub-Contractor)
– American Ordnance (Projectile Assembly)
• Producibility Study & Fabrication
– IPT adjusted dimensioning scheme for producibility
– Tightened material specification
– Looked at grain structure uniformity
– Reduced learning curve due to One-Piece Liner Program
• No issues with tooling, part fabrication or explosive loading
 M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

• Test Results
– Poor penetration
– Bifurcation regardless of spin rate
including no spin condition

Baseline Performance

Spec Requirement Early Image

Bifurcation

Late Image

143 Hz 159 Hz 177 Hz 186 Hz

 M430A1 HEDP Non-Fluted Liner

• Path Forward
– M&S of Liner using inspection data to reproduce
bifurcation (2D & 3D simulations)
– Copper material & grain size study
Study of Advanced Lethal Mechanisms in 40mm
Grenade Ammunition
21 May, 2009

Jason Wasserman, 40mm Grenade Ammunition Special Projects

 Objectives

• Close-In Anti-Personnel Lethality Study

– Characterize the lethality of sub-projectiles given
various parameters
– Analyzed both mission oriented and independently
– Study intended to establish cartridge design
parameters for 40mm low velocity system
• Enhanced Fragmenting Grenade Study
– Scalable technology for high and low velocity
grenade ammunition
– Dramatically increase lethality over currently
fielded high and low velocity system
 Close-In Anti-Personnel
Overview

• Analyze how various parameters affect sub-

projectile lethality
– Determine added benefit over currently fielded
systems
• 12 Ga. Shotgun and M576 Multiple Projectile Ctg (Spherical
shot based systems)
– Determine optimal design requirements for increased
lethality
– Analyzed Parameters
• Sub-projectile Shape, Size, Material, Quantity
• Range, Muzzle Velocity, Pellet Spread, Aim Error
 Close-In Anti-Personnel
Lethality Analysis

• ARL using ORCA to

determine individual sub-
projectile lethality
• Calculations made assuming
randomly placed pellets
given dispersion parameters
• Lethality is calculated as
mission-oriented
– Inability to carry out assigned
task in a prescribed time frame
• Stand, Aim, and Fire

0.0 1.0
 Close-In Anti-Personnel
Infantry Warrior Simulation (IWARS)

• Used to determine system effectiveness in a realistic

Close Quarter Battle situation
– Evaluates loss of fire team under various scenarios
• Baselined against fielded shotgun system and M4
carbine
• Able to include various protective gear, number of
enemy combatants, and tactics
 Enhanced Fragmenting Grenade

• Design Parameters
– Designing complete new cartridge system
• Started with generic shape to develop ideal flight properties
• Potential new propulsion system for heavier projectile
– Using fuze envelope from MEMS S&A program
– Lethal mechanism based on work done in cannon
caliber
Body

Fuze

Explosive
 Enhanced Fragmenting Grenade

• Producibility Study
– Working with contractor to develop production
methods
• Placing preformed fragments
• Optimizing packing factor
• Material selection
• Assembly procedures prior to explosive loading
 Path Forward

• Close-In Anti-Personnel
– Anticipate study to conclude by October 2009
– IPT to determine feasibility of forming a cartridge
development program
• Enhanced Fragmenting Grenade
– Lethality analysis
– Prototype fabrication
– Lab testing for fragmentation performance