QUANTIFICATION OF THE WEAR EFFECTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL CALIBRE GUNS

Internal barrel wear is considered as a key factor which affects the performance of small caliber guns in their different life stages. In order to improve the accuracy and the effectiveness of weapons, a wear analysis is deemed essential. The main aim of this research is the establishment of a new wear quantification technique using the profilometry method to quantify the influence of erosion on the performance of the gun. Thus, a Zeiss Micura Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) equipped with the VAST XTR gold high-end sensor and two NATO small caliber guns (5.56x45 mm and 7.62x51 mm) are considered. In order to quantify their wear volume after every N shots cycle, firstly, a new measurement approach is developed. Secondly, an uncertainty analysis is carried out for each measurement. Finally, a piezoelectric high-pressure transducer is used to measure the pressure inside the barrels after each CMM measurement. In order to evaluate the relationship between the latter and the wear volume, an experimental database is developed. The results show a similar correlation for the two NATO small caliber guns.