History Of Weapons And Explosives Flashcards
What was the brittish name of the adopted filler Pitric acid?
Lyddite
What are the ingredients of Greek fire?
Naphtha, sulphur and pitch
What are the main ingredients of the Chinese gunpowder?
Saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal
What was Roger bacon’s importance in the development of explosives?
He described the composition of gunpowder and experimented to improve its quality.
What are the early variations of rifling?
Vavasseurs driving band
Woolwich rifling
Oval bore
French rifling
Hexagonal rifling
Lead coated shell
Who designed the first modern combustion time fuse?
Colonel Boxer
Why were trunnions an important improvement to weapons?
Absorbed some of the recoil shock
Allowed the gun to be raised and lowered for firing
Who invented the breech loading gun?
Sir William Armstrong
Who is credited with the concept of a gun?
The monk black berthold
What term is used to describe the diameter of the bore?
Calibre
What are the 3 types of muzzle breaks?
Built up
Solid forging
Swaged - double baffle, single baffle
What are the 2 categories of breach mechanisms?
Screw
Sliding
What do fume extractors aid in?
To prevent the fumes entering the crew compartment
List the methods of barrel construction.
Wire wound
Built up barrels
Loose barrel/loose liner
Composite barrels
Monobloc
What are the components of a super structure
Saddle
Recoil system
Cradle
Balancing gear
Elevating gear
Traversing gears
Sights
What are the two major structures of a carriage or mounting?
The superstructure
The basic structure
What is the difference between a carriage and a mounting?
A carriage travels and fires on its wheels in contact with the ground
A mounting does not fire with its wheels in contact with the ground.
What are the types of elevating gears?
Worm and segment
Nut and screw
Arc and pinion
What is the function of the trail?
Transmit recoil forces to the ground
Hold the gun in firing position
Connects the weapon to the vehicle
What are the types of trail?
Pole trail
Box trail
Split trail
Bowed box trail
What is the desired result when using delay fuzing on HE?
To achieve a much greater cratering affect which can be used to penetrate OHP and enhance blast effects
What are the 5 basic requirements of artillery?
Range
Ammo
Accuracy and consistency
Mobility
Protection
What are the two main methods used to increase range without altering the weapon system?
Ballistic coefficient
Post firing boost
Define the word accuracy?
Measurement of precision with which the MPI, of a group of rounds can be placed on a target.
State 4 variations that affect consistency?
Muzzle velocity
Ballistic coefficient
Weather conditions
Laying, ramming and wear of the gun
What is the definition of a mortar?
A mortar is a weapon in which the main recoil is transmitted directly to the ground through the baseplate. It is usually smooth bore, muzzle loading, fin stabilised bomb, with own propelling charge, at a low MV and high trajectory.
What are the main components of a mortar bomb?
Fuze, body, obturation ring, tail, fins
What are the design features of a conventional mortar?
Smooth bore
Muzzle loading
No recoil mechanism
Restricted to firing above 800mil
Cannot be fired in a direct roll
The preferred method of stabilisation of mortar rounds is (a) stabilised. (B) stabilisation is not preferred because it increases mechanical complexity of the weapon and (c) the rate of fire.
(a) fin
(b) spin
(c) reduces
What is the definition of ammunition?
All the material used in discharging all types of firearms or any weapon that throws projectiles, shot, shrapnel, bullets, cartridge and the means of igniting
What is the definition of ammunition?
All the material used in discharging all types of firearms or any weapon that throws projectiles, shot, shrapnel, bullets, cartridge and the means of igniting and exploding them, as primers and fuzes. Chemicals, bombs, grenades, mines and pyrotechnics are also ammunition.
What are the considerations for delivery systems?
Nature of task
Terrain
Effect required at target
Range
Mobility
Protection
What are the two main components of the gun?
The ordnance
Carriage or mounting
What are the categories of mortars?
Light
Medium
Heavy
Gun
What are the sequence of events in firing?
Shot start
Max pressure
All burnt point
What are some barrel characteristics?
Life
Strength
Stiffness
Centre of gravity
What are advantages to mortars?
Large rate of fire
Mobility
Effect against unprotected troops
Low velocity
Simple and inexpensive
Easy to operate
Silent in flight
Light weight
Easy to conceal
What are the disadvantages to mortars?
No direct or low fire angle
Easy to locate
Limited range
Long flight time
Requirement to bed in
What are some advantages to FFR?
Large rate of fire
Range increase only incures small weight penalty
Able to saturate an area quickly
Greater potential as a carrier
What are some disadvantages to FFR?
Sustained rates of fire can be a problem
Flat trajectory
Inferior range accuracy and consistency
What are the components of a basic structure?
Trails
Saddle supports
Articulations
Spades
Platforms
Wheels and Axel’s
Suspension and breaks
What are the fuze types for mortar ammunition?
PD
Delay
Mechanical time super quick
Proximity
What does a super structure do?
Supports the ordnance in firing position
Gives it direction in azimuth and direction
Provides axial movement for recoil and the sighting system
What does the basic structure do?
The part in contact with the ground and transferring the firing stresses
