Military Institute of Armament Technology

Pyka D., Kurzawa A., Żochowski P., Bajkowski M., Magier M., Grygoruk R., Roszak M., Jamroziak K., Bocian M.

Abstract The article presents an experimental and numerical study on the effectiveness of an additional shield mounted under the vehicles in reducing the penetration capability of the scattered mines, using the example of the MN-123 mine. For this purpose, the formation of the EFP (explosive formed penetrator) was analyzed for the classic scattered mine system with a double EFP-shaped charge. Then, after validating the numerical results against the experiment for the static tensile test, the authors performed a numerical analysis for a protective structure made of elastomer, placed between the mine and the bottom of the protected vehicle (parallel to the ground surface). Three variants of the thickness of the rubber element from 10 to 30 mm were analyzed in order to determine the impact of the shield thickness on the EFP formation process. In the final phase, the selected system was experimentally tested on a military training ground. The results obtained indicate that the use of analyzed shielding protecting bottom part of vehicles against mines and EFPs can significantly decrease the mine penetration capability. In addition, the use of the smoothed-particle hydrodynamic (SPH) method to describe the formation of the EFP projectile allowed to take into account the highly dynamic nature of the phenomenon. A novelty in the applied study is the use of an elastomeric cover in the immediate vicinity of the mine, which limits the EFP formation process and also limits the speed of the projectile. This is crucial because the key factor determining the penetrating capabilities of EFP is the high kinetic energy of the formed projectile. Based on the research conducted, areas of potential application of this type of covers can be distinguished. These will primarily be all types of heavy, armored vehicles moving in armed conflict zones, exposed to mines/IEDs/EFPs, such as armored infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

SWEKLEJ P., BAZELA R., PILUCIK A.

In Poland, business activities involving the manufacture and trade of explosives, weapons, ammunition and products and technology for military or police use require all entities that deal with this matter to have an appropriate license. A license, which takes the form of an administrative decision and is issued through administrative proceedings, is thus a means of state regulations, by allowing only a specific entrepreneur to undertake and carry out the relevant business activity specified by the law. This activity is based on the basic legal Act of June 13, 2019, “on the performance of business activities, in the field of manufacturing and trading of explosives, weapons, ammunition and products and technology for military or police use”, and 20 regulatory acts to this Act in the rank of regulations. However, are the provisions of the law, adopted after 18 years of experience in operation of previous law and regulating the area of performance of this licensed activity, consistent, unambiguous and covering all activities related to the manufacture and circulation of explosives, weapons, ammunition and products and technology for military or police use? This is the question that the authors will try to answer basing on MIAT’s (Military Institute of Armament Technology) own experience, and on analysis of some topics.

BIENIEK P., MILEWSKI E., TUPAJ M., ŁYSIAK K.

The paper describes the question of measurements of selected ballistic parameters of 155 mm cartridges such as the pressure of powder gases inside the barrel bore and muzzle velocity of fired projectiles. The independent methods for measurement of powder gases pressure were applied at firing with 155 mm ballistic stand. Results obtained with particular methods can be used for discussion of significantly wider spectrum of internal ballistics parameters which are useful at research-development work and acceptance tests of standard life cycle for ordnance equipment and ammunition. The paper is focused on comparison of applied measurement methods with the first one using a piezoelectric sensor placed in the gun cartridge chamber nest, and the second one using crushing devices placed inside the chamber behind the propelling charge. The last measurement method combines two above mentioned ones and is based on application of piezoelectric instruments put inside.

HRYNIEWICZ M., MAGIER M.

The aim of work was to design a sports submachine gun based on a review of current design solutions used in this type of weapon and to create preliminary technical assumptions. The scope of work included the selection of a cartridge for the submachine gun, the selection of the barrel length, the calculation of the outer diameter of the barrel, the selection of the mass of the bolt and the return spring, as well as the calculation of the bolt kinematics, the creation of a functional model using the additive technique, checking the correct operation of the weapon's mechanisms and indicating possible design improvements. Part III presents the construction description of the main components of the MPM 9 "Bohr" submachine gun.

DĄBROWSKI B., MAGIER M., SWEKLEJ P.

The paper describes the leading of two main research tasks. The first one dealt with designs of six barrels for three calibers: 5.56x45 NATO, 7.62x51 NATO, and 12.7x99 NATO. Two barrels were designed for each calibre: one unreinforced and the second one reinforced by a coat. The second task dealt with a computer barrel strength simulation using the method of finite elements to compare the results of numerical and analytical strength calculations and draw the conclusions. Part III includes strength calculations of reinforced barrels for all tested barrels.

BAZELA R., PAKUŁA A.

Munitions are products of a varied design, posing different degrees of danger, and their correct classification has an impact on user’s safety during the process of use, including transport and storage, and affects the costs incurred in these processes. The classification of munitions also has a significant impact on the assessment of transport and storage capabilities. Only complete identification and classification allows their transport and storage in accordance with a strictly de-fined regulations. During the classification process of munitions, analytical tests are not always sufficient to provide an unambiguous result. For this reason, testing of munitions is carried out to verify already issued, or newly prepared, Explosive Material Assessment Sheets (EMAS) and Certificate of Qualification (CQ).

Rybakiewicz Ł., Zmywaczyk J.

This work presents the results of research on the influence of the amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid and phosphoric acid (V) added to the phenol-formaldehyde resin (pH 7.3–7.8) on its thermal properties and on the phenol-formaldehyde-carbon composite produced on its basis. This material undergoes pyrolysis under high temperature. The addition of a catalyst to the phenol-formaldehyde resin affects its curing rate and degree of cross-linking, but how it affects the thermal properties of the resin depending on the temperature is the subject of this work. This article presents the results of thermal tests for phenol-formaldehyde resin and phenol-formaldehyde-carbon composite. It was examined how the content of the catalyst used during the production process affects the individual thermal parameters of the mentioned materials. The results include experimental tests of thermal diffusivity with uncertainty (±3%), specific heat capacity (±2.5%), thermal expansion with resolution 2 nm analyzed in the temperature range −40–115 °C and thermogravimetric TG/DTA analysis with resolution 0.03 µg in the temperature range from room temperature (RT = 23 °C) to 550 °C. Individual thermal tests showed changes in the thermal properties caused by changes in the catalyst content of the tested materials and the influence of the addition of carbon fibers on the properties of the composite compared to the pure phenol-formaldehyde resin. It was found that there is a certain maximum level of catalyst weight fraction at which the greatest decrease in thermal diffusivity occurs. In the case of phenolic-formaldehyde-carbon composite at −40 °C, an increase in catalyst weight fraction from 2 to 4 wt% caused a decrease in thermal diffusivity by 18.2%, and for phenol-formaldehyde resin, it was 2.8% with an increase in catalyst fraction from 4 to 10 wt%.

KRÓL (krolm@witu.mil.pl) M.

The continuous technical development of weapons and ammunition, as well as the growing requirements placed on new equipment, require the use of modern tools for their designing and testing. The analysis of the operation of powder propellant systems, which is the focus of interior ballistics, requires particularly specialised tools due to the complexity of the phenomena occurring during a shot. The development of numerical methods and the increase in the computing power of modern computers have enabled the modelling and simulation of highly complex physical problems and the development of numerical schemes with a theoretically arbitrary high order of accuracy. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a one-dimensional model of two-phase flows with a high order of solution accuracy in time, based on the finite volume method. The use of a two-phase flow model in the context of interior ballistics allows, among other things, the analysis of wave phenomena occurring during firing, which is crucial for safety reasons, especially in tank guns. The developed algorithm for solving two-phase systems was checked using recognised test problems for this type of model. The results of the work will be used to develop a numerical model to solve the main problem of interior ballistics.

BOGAJCZYK M., ZAHOR M.

The article presents current state of technology in field of belt fed machine guns. Analysis of designs and variants of designs that were presented recently was performed. Tactical and technical data, technical and technological solutions used in the presented constructions were collected and discussed. The aim of this paper was an analysis of development trends in the field of beltfed firearms, which can be a basis for engineering work focused on the development of modern support weapons.

HRYNIEWICZ M., MAGIER M.

The aim of this work was to design a sports submachine gun based on a review of current design solutions used in this type of weapon and to create preliminary technical assumptions. The scope of work included the selection of a cartridge for the submachine gun, the selection of the barrel length, the calculation of the outer diameter of the barrel, the selection of the mass of the bolt and the return spring as well as the calculation of the bolt kinematics, and the preparation of a functional model using the additive technique, checking the correct operation of the weapon's mechanisms and indicating possible design improvements. Part II presented the basic design calculations of the MPM 9 "Bohr" submachine gun.

ORŁOWSKI M., DROZD W., SWEKLEJ P., MAGIER, M.

The research goal of the work was to determine the influence of thermal and mechanical processing on the fragmentation of 120 mm projectiles for the Rak self-propelled mortar based on the results of dynamic tests on the fragmentation of projectile shells and measuring the number of fragments in individual mass groups. The main issues raised in the work are the tactical and technical requirements that must be met by HE (high explosive) mortar rounds, focusing on the properties influencing on the fragmentation process of the projectiles, i.e. the material of the shell and the explosives. In order to obtain appropriate data to be studied in the work, it was necessary to test prepared research objects. Testing part includes a ballistic examination of the fragmentation of HE projectile shells, which were made of three types of materials and were subjected to various heat treatment parameters during the production process. The obtained results of ballistic fragmentation tests of mortar shells were used for analysis and enabled comparison of fragmentation characteristics between shells made of different materials and subjected to heat treatment processes. Part II presents ballistics tests on the fragmentation of mortar shells and the analysis of the obtained results.

DĄBROWSKI B., MAGIER M., SWEKLEJ P.

The aim of this work was to design a sports submachine gun based on a review of current design solutions used in this type of weapon and to create preliminary technical assumptions. The scope of work included the selection of a cartridge for the submachine gun, the selection of the barrel length, the calculation of the outer diameter of the barrel, the selection of the mass of the bolt and the return spring as well as the calculation of the bolt kinematics, the creation of a functional model using the additive technique, checking the correct operation of the weapon's mechanisms and indicating possible design improvements. Part II includes Strength calculations of unreinforced barrels for all tested barrels.Keywords: Heydenreich method, internal ballistics, reinforced barrel, durability, simulationAbstract: The aim of this work was to design a sports submachine gun based on a review of current design solutions used in this type of weapon and to create preliminary technical assumptions. The scope of work included the selection of a cartridge for the submachine gun, the selection of the barrel length, the calculation of the outer diameter of the barrel, the selection of the mass of the bolt and the return spring as well as the calculation of the bolt kinematics, the creation of a functional model using the additive technique, checking the correct operation of the weapon's mechanisms and indicating possible design improvements. Part II includes Strength calculations of unreinforced barrels for all tested barrels.Keywords: Heydenreich method, internal ballistics, reinforced barrel, durability, simulationThe aim of this work was to design a sports submachine gun based on a review of current design solutions used in this type of weapon and to create preliminary technical assump-tions. The scope of work included the selec-tion of a cartridge for the submachine gun, the selection of the barrel length, the calcula-tion of the outer diameter of the barrel, the selection of the mass of the bolt and the re-turn spring as well as the calculation of the bolt kinematics, the creation of a functional model using the additive technique, checking the correct operation of the weapon's mecha-nisms and indicating possible design im-provements. Part II includes Strength calcula-tions of unreinforced barrels for all tested barrels.

Dettlaff A., Szopińska M., Houghton D., Prasuła P., Han Y., Walker M., West G., Kamieńska-Duda A., Fudala-Książek S., Sobaszek M.

Nitroaromatic compounds are commonly used explosive materials that pose a risk to human health and ecosystems due to their acute toxicity and carcinogenicity. Nitroaromatics have numerous pathways into the environment via discarded munitions (e.g. into the Baltic Sea after World War II), after use in mining operations, and in industrial run-off from factories producing these compounds (which are produced across the world to date). The current detection method relies on chromatography and mass spectrometry methods, which are time-consuming, expensive, and require specialist equipment and training. Carbon-based electrochemical sensors offer a low-cost, fast, and easy on-site method for the detection of a variety of compounds. This study demonstrates an efficient approach for rapid electrochemical sensing of Tetryl (N-methyl-N-2,4,6-tetranitroaniline) through the use of boron-doped sp2-rich carbon structures. These structures, known as dendrite-like carbon nanowalls (D:CNW), were fabricated in one-step deposition and extensively characterized to understand the structure and surface chemistry. Electrodes were used to detect a range of nitroaromatic compounds, most notably tetryl in both laboratory and real environmental samples, with an excellent sensitivity of 153.0 µA cm−2 ppm−1 and a detection limit of 17 ppb. The analytical and electrochemical capabilities of D:CNW electrodes indicate their suitability for extensive environmental monitoring.

Szopińska M., Prasuła P., Baran P., Kaczmarzyk I., Pierpaoli M., Nawała J., Szala M., Fudala-Książek S., Kamieńska-Duda A., Dettlaff A.

CHMURA T.

Development of motorisation and car transport is a source of large amounts of waste. Tyres waste is difficult and expensive for utilisation. Its aggregation and storng poses a serious problem to the environment. It also is an inspiration for searching new areas where the waste could be used. The paper presents results of tests on stabbing (knife resistance) for samples prepared with three layers of different types of used car tyres according with standard NIJ Standard–0115.00: Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armor. The samples met the requirements only for the first level of resistance in the case of an edge imitating a large military knife. Testing the resistance on higher levels and for other edges ended with a negative result. Therefore, a possibility for potential application of materials originating from the used tyres in individual armours protecting against stabbing by the white weapon is significantly limited.