RÉSUMÉ

The aim of this work is to present a summary of the results obtained at Soreq NRC in the attempt to prove that a proper use of the electrothermal-chemical (ETC) concept may, indeed, lead to significant improving of conventional guns ballistic performance. The meaning is to show that, by using plasma jets with controlled energetic and flow characteristics as igniting agents, better interior ballistic processes (i.e. more uniform propellant ignition as well as more safer and reproducible gun operation than in the case of the conventional ignition) can be obtained and, finally, significantly larger projectile muzzle energy (velocity) can be reached. The way to achieve this goal is by "forcing" the "cold" charges to perform as "hot" ones (achieving the so-called "temperature gradient" compensation). In addition, one must try to accomplish these goals by using reasonable electrical energies (which would allow the reduction of the mass and volume of the power supply) and also avoiding significant changes in the conventional gun topography in order to prevent unacceptable costs. The research work was performed by using a standard 105 mm gun (concerning its barrel length and burning chamber volume) and a standard propellant. The results show that improved performances (a more than 28% increase of the projectile muzzle energy) can be achieved by using denser charges ignited by plasma jets with appropriate energies. In addition, the capability to obtain significant compensation of the so-called "temperature gradient" effect was proven and the capacity of plasma as an ignition factor to provide "ballistic gain" has also been demonstrated.