Ballistic evaluation of LOVA propellant in high calibre gun

This paper presents the data obtained on dynamic firing of a cellulose acetate binder-based low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellant using 120 mm fin-stabilised armour piercing discarding sabot (FSAPDS) kinetic energy ammunition. An optimised propellant composition formulated using fine RDX as an energetic ingredient and a mixture of cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose as binder was qualified fit for firing in a high calibre gun by its successful static evaluation for absolute ballistics using high pressure closed vessel technique. Dynamic firing of the propellant processed in heptatubular geometry was undertaken to assess the propellant charge mass. This propellant achieved higher muzzle velocity as compared to the standard NQ/M119 triple-base propellant while meeting the non-vulnerability characteristics convincingly.