Interior ballistic analysis for rarefaction wave gun

Rarefaction wave gun (RAVEN) is a newly developed propulsion system which achieves low recoil by means of delayed venting breech of gun chamber. The four-stage physical model of RAVEN is put forward; the dynamic model which describes RAVEN's propulsion process is made using quasi one-dimensional quasi two-phrase flow theory. A 14.5mm rarefaction wave test gun is taken as the computing instance and its performance is compared with that of a traditional close breech gun. Some of the characteristic parameters that influence the efficiency greatly such as the venting time are discussed. From the calculated results it is shown that 14.5mm RAVEN has the potential of reducing 59% of the recoil momentum with no loss of muzzle velocity. The outcome agrees well with the data gained in the experiments conducted at Eric Proving Grounds, therefore the feasibility and accuracy of the model is evidenced.