KINETIC ENERGY PROJECTILE LAUNCH USING LIFE SEPARATION SABOTS

Abstract

The purpose of the present work is to visualize the separation dynamics of a new lift separation sabot. Conventional sabots used for launching kinetic energy projectiles are a major contributor to the dispersion of the penetrator due to the mechanical interaction between sabot and the penetrator during separation. A sabot with an aerodynamic lifting surface close to the center of gravity is designed and launched from a 25mm caliber gas gun. The visualization results show that the sabot is separating from the penetrator with less rotation of the sabot which leads to less mechanical interaction between the latter and the former.