EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS FROM SOLID ARMATURE TESTS AT THE CENTER FOR ELECTROMECHANICS AT THE UNIVERSITY-OF-TEXAS-AT-AUSTIN

The Center for Electromechanics at the University of Texas at Austin has conducted a number of solid armature tests in the 90 mm gun facility over the past two years. Several different base push and mid-body drive armatures and projectile packages have been tested in the 50 m deep vertical test range. Results from some of those tests, including in-flight photographs and x-rays, will be presented. The C-shaped armature's evolution from a base push monolithic aluminum slug to a mid-body drive, two piece, armature/sabot will be discussed. Issues involved with both base push and two part armature/sabots and ways to deal with those issues will be addressed.