Development and Performance of High Energy High Performance Co-Layered ETPE Gun Propellant for Future Large Caliber System

Abstract : The co-layered propellant configuration, when properly designed, is conducive to higher performance at lower gun chamber pressure. The energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE) was utilized to produce co-layered propellant in the radial strip configuration. The manufacturing process was developed, and the propellants were fully characterized before the test firing using 60 mm subscale gun. The test firing of 15 shots at hot, ambient, and cold temperatures showed mixed results.