Effect of Muzzle Brake on Projectile Velocity Increase in the Intermediate Ballistics

Abstract

The paper continues the authors’ studies on the influence of intermediate ballistics phenomena on increase in the projectile velocity. In a consecutive stage of investigations, studies of the presence of the muzzle brake on acceleration of the projectile in the transitional period are carried out. In the paper, the results of numerical study of the influence of presence and shape of muzzle brake on the projectile velocity increase in the intermediate ballistics period are presented. Numerical simulations of firing of 35 x 228 mm cartridge, with various bullets from the barrel with and without muzzle brake have been performed using the ANSYS FLUENT code. Changes of projectile velocity and changes of pressure and gas velocity inside and outside the barrel were calculated. The simulations indicate that presence of the muzzle brake only in merely degree affects increase in the projectile velocity in the case of the practise missile, while in the case of FAPSDST projectile, the increment of projectile velocity after the output of the barrel is lower when the muzzle brake is mounted on the muzzle. The results will be used in further research related to the modernization of 35-mm naval cannon.

Keywords

• mechanics
• intermediate ballistics
• muzzle brake