A parametric study for an electrothermal-chemical artillery weapon

The results of an internal ballistic parametric study for an artillery weapon based on an electrothermal-chemical (ETC) propulsion system are reported. The study was carried out for four different calibers: 30 mm, 76 mm, 120 mm, and 155 mm. Several different working fluids, both endothermic and exothermic, were considered for each caliber. Aspects considered include different proportions of electrical energy to chemical energy, working fluid masses and volumes, and the masses and volumes of the electrical power supply. Calculations were performed for two fixed muzzle velocities and for the case of the maximum stretch potential. The study has clearly shown that endothermic and slightly exothermic working fluids are, although practical for small caliber weapons, not viable for large caliber weapons because of the necessity for large power supply systems. The best working fluids, in terms of the greatest muzzle velocity, are the blend of nitromethane and methanol (85:15) and the blend of octane and hydrogen peroxide for realistic power system sizes