Gun Theory and Design Principles

Question 1

“A weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other projectiles are propelled by explosive force in the form of expanding gases, typically making a characteristic loud, sharp noise.”

Answer 1

Gun

Question 2

“A propellant and projectile”

Answer 2

Ammunition

Question 3

“A chemical substance used in the production of energy or pressurized gas that is used to create movement of a fluid or to generate propulsion”

Answer 3

Propellants

Question 4

“Any object throwin into space by the exertion of a force”

Answer 4

Projectile

Question 5

“The approximate internal diameter of the gun barrel”

Answer 5

Calibre

Question 6

Major calibre:

Answer 6

> 8 in

Question 7

Intermediate Calibre

Answer 7

4 - 8 in

Question 8

Minor Calibre

Answer 8

0.60 - 4 in

Question 9

Small Arms (calibre)

Answer 9

< 0.60 in

Question 10

Manned or Unmanned: “Generally more accurate as they are guided by radar or a dedicated fire control system”

Answer 10

Unmanned

Question 11

Manned or Unmanned: Cheaper and require less space beacuse they dont require secondary systems to operate.

Answer 11

Manned

Question 12

“Projectiles that are ejected from a container by means of an initial impulse”

Answer 12

Impulse Projectiles

Question 13

“The use of naval artillery to provide fire support for land-based combat operations”

Answer 13

Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS)

Question 14

What are two types of NGFS?

Answer 14

Direct Fire - LOS

Indirect fire - Requires forward observer

Question 15

What are vulnerabilities while on a gun line (NGFS)?

Answer 15

Air attack from land

Submarines due to predictable course

Question 16

“The distance a roudn will travel from the gun when fired. This is determined by muzzle velocity, elevation, and exterior ballistic factors.”

Answer 16

Range

Question 17

“The speed of the projectile the moment it leaves the muzzle of a gun. Determined by the amount of energy imparted to the round by the expasion of gasses in the barrel”

Answer 17

Muzzle Velocity

Question 18

What factors affect Muzzle Velocity?

Answer 18

Barrel Length
Length to diameter ratio
Projectile Weight
Size and Burn Pattern of propellant
Temperature

Question 19

Why does a longer barrel increase the muzzle velocity?

Answer 19

Expanding gas has more time to impart energy to the round.

Question 20

Does a heavy round have a higher or lower muzzle velocity?

Answer 20

Lower. Same energy, more mass, less speed.

Question 21

How does temperature affect muzzle velocity?

Answer 21

Affects the burn rate and max pressure of the propellant.

Question 22

“The frequency at which a weapon can fire or launch its projectiels. it is usually measured in rounds per minute or rounds per second”

Answer 22

Rate of Fire

Question 23

“The mechanical rate of fire, or how fast the weapon cycles. Does not consider magazine changes, aiming, etc.)

Answer 23

Cyclical Rate

Question 24

“The rate at which the weapon could reasonably be fired indefinitely without failing. Includes factors such as reloading, aiming, changing barrels, cooling. Useful to know for logistics and supply purposes”

Answer 24

Sustained Rate

Question 25

What are the components of PKill?

Answer 25

P_kill = P_hit + P_destroy

Question 26

“The number of rounds available for immediate firing, which can be used before reloading”

Answer 26

Round Capacity

Question 27

“The number of rounds available in a mount to be used before the mount needs to be reloaded”

Answer 27

Ready Use Rounds

Question 28

What is the Round Capacity of the 57mm?

Answer 28

40 rounds.

Question 29

“The time it takes the loading system to move ammunition from the storage magazine to the gun mount”

Answer 29

Loading Time

Question 30

“The time it takes to move ready use ammunition into the feed system”

Answer 30

Reloading Time

Question 31

Answer 31

Question 32

“The maximum distance at which the explosino from a round or missile can be expected to destroy its target.”

Answer 32

Miss Distance

Question 33

Describe Miss Distance Indicator (MDI)

Answer 33

Inert rounds are fired at the target and the MDI system calculates whether the rounds entered the Miss Distance

Data used to improve fire control solution.

Question 34

Describe CAC

Answer 34

Continuous Aim Correction

Radar places range gate in front of, over, and behind target

The rounds are tracked by radar and a feedback control system compensates.

Question 35

Describe Spot Correction

Answer 35

Rounds are fired at a fixed point and tracked by radar

The offset is used to calibrate the gun.

Question 36

“The rate at which the gun moves in both bearing and elecation”

Answer 36

Slew Rate

Question 37

Are arcs of fire and blind arcs considered performance characteristics?

Answer 37

Yes

Question 38

“Represent the full area that a projectile may enter when fired on a set course, including defelection error, wind, or ship motion error, tracking system target loss, etc.”

Answer 38

Safety Arcs of Fire

Question 39

What are all 9 performance characteristics

Answer 39

Range
Muzzle Velocity
Rate of Fire
PKill
Round Capacity
Load/Reload Time
Accuracy and Precision
Slew Rate
Arcs of Fire

Question 40

“The radius of overage of a given weapon system defined in terms of bearing and elevation”

Answer 40

Arc of fire

Question 41

What publication governs safety arcs of fire?

Answer 41

MAVORD 4995-0 Safety Firing Orders for Ships and Submarines