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Development of Insensitive Munitions (IM)

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) propellants for Large
Calibre Gun Systems
Dr. Mark J Penny
Senior Design Engineer Propellants
BAE Systems Land (UK)
NC Symposium 31st May to 1st June 2016

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Introduction
• Background
• LOVA propellants
 Why?
 Route to
 What?

• 120mm Tank LOVA propellants

• Artillery LOVA propellants
• Summary

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Background
• Re-established propellant R & D at BAE SYSTEMS, Glascoed
- After closure of Bishopton site in early 2000s
- To develop next generation of propellants
• Small scale manufacture ≤ 10kg batches
- Formulate & model propellants
- Manufacture suitable formulations
- Test and assess

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Why LOVA propellants?

• Conventional GUN propellants single, double and triple base
- Contain NC and NG and Picrite
- Current formulations are old technology
- IM signature could be improved

• LOVA (LOw Vulnerability Ammunition) propellants aim to:

- Give improved IM signature
- Ballistic match current propellants
- Improve system performances against current requirements

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Route to LOVA propellants

MAKE IT LESS MAKE EVENT REDUCE

LIKELY TO LESS BURNING
IGNITE VIOLENT RATE

RAISE MAKE IT ABLE USE

IGNITION TO ABSORB COMPONENTS
TEMPERATURE SHOCK WHICH BURN
SLOWLY

REMOVE MAKE RUBBERY RDX OR HMX

NG/NC (TPE)

POLYMER BOUND NITRAMINE GUN PROPELLANTS

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What are LOVA propellants?

LOVA TPE propellants:
• Removed NG from composition
• Reduce amount of NC in composition
• A unique binding system

Ingredient Conventional LOVA propellant

propellant
NC 18% -35% Up to 10%
NG 18% - 35% -
Picrite 20% - 60% -
Nitramine - Up to 80%
Stabiliser 1% - 7% 1%
Plasticiser - Up to 9%
Other binders - Up to 7%

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What are LOVA propellants?

Two families of LOVA propellants have been developed
• Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based
• High energy
 1100 – 1200 J/g
 For high performance tank
• Lower energy
 1000 – 1100 J/g
 For low energy tank and artillery applications

• Conventional based
• High energy
 1100 – 1200 J/g
 For high performance tank

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LOVA propellants – general assessment

LOVA propellant have undergone a number of assessments, these include:
• Small scale such as chemical and physical analysis, EMTAP, CV etc…
• Large scale IM and ballistic assessments
• EMATP results…..

Parameter Conventional Propellants LOVA TPE Propellants

Solvent based Solventless Lower High

energy Energy
Energy (kJ/kg) 1061 1159 1156 1065 1154
F of I 38 20 7 73 64
F of F 6 3.5 >6 >6 5.6
Ignition 154 171 170 251 251
Temperature (K)

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120mm Tank LOVA propellants

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120mm Tank LOVA propellants

IM signature for high energy LOVA TPE propellant
• Achieved pass criteria
• Improved Shape Charge response compared to current in service charges
• Improved IM signature over current in service charges

Slow Fast Sympathetic Fragment Shaped

Heating Heating Reaction Impact Charge
Pass criteria* V V III V III
High energy IV V V II/III II/III
Conventional
Propellant
High energy V V IV V III/IV
LOVA TPE
propellant
* STANAG 4439

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120mm Tank LOVA propellants

Witness plates from the Shaped Charge Attack trial

Conventional
Propellant
TYPE II

LOVA TPE propellant

TYPE III Reaction

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120mm Tank LOVA propellants

Ballistic performance of high energy LOVA TPE propellant

• Fired in UK 120mm tank system

• Comparable performance to current conventional propellant
• Good function and consistency demonstrated
• Potentially low barrel wear due to lower flame temperatures

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120mm Tank LOVA propellants summary

Processing (conventional equipment):
• LOVA TPE propellant, Rowanite 318, can be manufactured consistently
• All manufacturing parameters are well defined

IM performance:
• Propellant has been shown to be less sensitive and is safer than conventional colloidal
propellants
• Propellant has shown the potential to meet the Insensitive Munitions criteria laid out in
STANAG 4439

Ballistic performance:
• Ballistic firings on small and large scale shown propellant function well and is comparable
to other Tank Gun Propellants
• Lower barrel wear to be expected - lower flame temperature
• No shatter at low temperatures

Overall:
• LOVA propellants are suitable candidates for 120mm high energy rounds
• Cost comparable to current conventional propellants (NQ and Row 316)

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Artillery LOVA propellants

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Artillery LOVA propellants

Shaped Charge IM test of lower energy LOVA TPE propellant
• Configuration similar to 105mm L36 propelling charges
• Improved Shape Charge response over conventional propellant (V vs III)
• Visible difference in witness plate damage and high speed camera footage

Propellant WP damage Type

Pass criteria* - III

Lower energy 51mm x 55mm III

Conventional propellant
Lower energy LOVA TPE 1mm x 1.5mm V
Propellant A
Lower energy LOVA TPE No damage V
Propellant B
* STANAG 4439

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Artillery LOVA propellants

Witness Plate
• Conventional showed damage
• LOVA Propellant has effectively no damage

Lower energy Lower energy LOVA

Conventional Propellant TPE Propellant

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Artillery LOVA propellants

Stills from high speed camera taken at the same relative point of the trial
• Conventional propellant shows a much large reaction

Lower energy Lower energy LOVA

Conventional Propellant TPE Propellant
Type III Type V
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Artillery LOVA propellants

Ballistic performance of lower energy LOVA TPE propellants for artillery systems
• Fired successfully in a UK 105mm gun system, L36 charge super configuration
 Used as a technical demonstrator for artillery systems
 105mm and 155mm possible propellant options

• Comparable performance of all lower energy LOVA TPE propellants to low energy
conventional
• Potential for increased performance over NQ propellants (for L36)

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Artillery LOVA propellants

Processing (conventional equipment):
• Low energy LOVA (TPE and conventional IM) propellants can be manufactured
consistently with parameters well defined
IM performance:
• Lower energy LOVA TPE Propellants perform much better than conventional propellants
under the SCJ attack test, III vs V response
Ballistic performance:
• Ballistic firings on small and large scale shown lower energy LOVA TPE propellants to
function well and is comparable to conventional artillery propellants
• Demonstrated in a 105mm system, 155mm possible too
• Artificially aged (10 years) LOVA TPE propellants also performed well
• Lower barrel wear to be expected - lower flame temperature
Overall:
• Lower energy LOVA TPE propellants are suitable candidates for artillery systems
• Cost comparable to conventional propellants (N and NQ)

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Summary
• LOVA TPE propellants have been successfully manufacture using conventional equipment
• Achieved good IM signatures
• Comparable ballistics to current conventional propellants
• Suitable for 120mm, 155mm and 105mm applications

Next steps
• Develop formulations further to optimise in artillery systems
• Qualify LOVA TPE propellant in a large calibre system

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Acknowledgements
LOVA Team:

Dr. Anne Marie Wilton

Mr. Tom Somerville
Mr. Shane Stephens
Ms Dawn Jones

Sponsors - UK MoD for all their funding and support including:

DGM
DOSG

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Thank you

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Rights Reserved. Permission to
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