Artillery Fire Research Articles

Quantification and Sensitivity Analysis of the Model Uncertainty in the Projectile-Barrel Coupled Artillery Dynamics System Based on Random Matrix Theory

Simplifications in the engineering of artillery firing dynamics modeling introduce model uncertainty, which seriously affects the model’s predictive performance. To this end, a typical variable-section hollow cylindrical cantilever beam structure in artillery firing dynamics is investigated in this paper. The statistical approximation methods quantify parameter and model uncertainty separately, and their respective confidence intervals were calculated and compared. The results show that the traditional parameter uncertainty approach overestimates the parameter uncertainty ranges, and introducing the model uncertainty approach dramatically improves the model prediction performance. Additionally, a projectile-barrel coupled artillery dynamics model considering model uncertainty is established, and its effectiveness is validated through the actual launch experiments. The sensitivity of the dynamic responses to the system matrix, namely model uncertainty, is further analyzed. This paper provides theoretical references for the study of uncertainty in artillery launch dynamics and proposes effective methods to enhance the predictability of computational models for complex structural systems.

Intelligent System for Artillery Mount Autonomous Guidance And Firing Adjustment

The article presents mathematical models, numerical algorithms and a software package for an intelligent system for artillery mount autonomous guidance and adjustment of firing. The software package includes the following components: a module for solving the direct problem of external ballistics, a neural network training module, and a firing guidance and adjustment module. The first module is designed to form a database of computational experiments by repeatedly solving the direct problem of external ballistics under varying firing conditions. In the second module, a neural network is trained to solve the inverse problem of external ballistics using the database generated from computational experiments. The third module implements algorithms for calculating the artillery mount launching angles on a target using a trained neural network and calculating corrections to launching angles based on data on the projectile impact point deviation from the target. Having received data on the artillery mount readiness to fire, the coordinates of the target position and projectile’s impact point received from a digital observer, the software package calculates the necessary launching angles or corrections to them. Launching angles are transferred via text files to the control system of the artillery mount drives, then a shot is fired and the conditions for hitting the target are assessed. The algorithm is then repeated for the next shot or new target. Testing of the developed algorithms for autonomous guidance and shooting correction was carried out using modeling of external ballistics processes in the software package, as well as carrying out experimental testing on a working simulation device of an artillery mount. The developed software package allows visualization of the obtained results and saving the history of the performed operations.

Bridging Theory and Practice in Military Education Through Advanced Technologies

This study presents a comprehensive examination of the developmental trajectory and operational advancement of a pioneering military simulation apparatus explicitly engineered to facilitate the seamless integration of joint fire support principles within the ambit of military education, with a specific focus on artillery students. The Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology provided by industry leaders such as Microsoft and Meta present solutions for interdisciplinary pursuits situated at the confluence of emergent technologies and contemporary military instructional methodologies. Central to the efficacy of this endeavour is the incorporation of meticulously crafted virtual and augmented reality models of authentic military equipment to imbue the simulation experience with unparalleled realism and fidelity to the principles of artillery fires. Collaborative ventures with private enterprises have facilitated the production of a simulator characterized by its gamification elements and unparalleled verisimilitude, enhancing its efficacy as an educational tool. Augmented by spatial intelligence gleaned from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sensors, the simulation framework can be further enriched by integrating true-to-life topographic representations meticulously synthesized by amalgamating laser scanning methodologies. Positioned as an indispensable cornerstone within the academic purview of the esteemed Department of Fire Support at the University of Defence, this initiative aspires to impart foundational knowledge and cultivate a proactive ethos of inquiry and engagement amongst the students. Furthermore, the simulator is a pivotal instrument for military training, offering a risk-free environment devoid of the hazards associated with live artillery fire exercises. By mitigating financial burdens and other logistical constraints inherent in conventional training methodologies, this innovative simulation apparatus represents a paradigm shift in contemporary military education and training practices.

Flow field distribution and overpressure characteristics inside the crew compartment of a truck-mounted howitzer under the effect of muzzle blast

The muzzle blast overpressure induces disturbances in the flow field inside the crew compartment (FFICC) of a truck-mounted howitzer during the artillery firing. This overpressure is the primary factor preventing personnel from firing artillery within the cab. To investigate the overpressure characteristics of the FFICC, a foreign trade equipment model was used as the research object, and a numerical model was established to analyze the propagation of muzzle blast from the muzzle to the interior of the crew compartment under extreme firing condition. For comparative verification, the muzzle blast experiment included overpressure data from both the flow field outside the crew compartment (FFOCC) and the FFICC, as well as the acceleration data of the crew compartment structure (Str-CC). The research findings demonstrate that the overpressure–time curves of the FFICC exhibit multi-peak characteristics, while the pressure wave shows no significant discontinuity. The enclosed nature of the cab hinders the dissipation of pressure wave energy within the FFICC, leading to sustained high-amplitude overpressure. The frame-skin structure helps attenuate the impact of muzzle blast on the FFICC. Conversely, local high overpressure caused by the convex or concave features of the cab's exterior significantly amplifies the overpressure amplitude within the FFICC.

Assessment of risks to the critical infrastructure of Ukraine in the conditions of russian military aggression

The destruction of the infrastructure of populated areas has been occurring since the first days of the invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, both as a result of direct hostilities and as a result of targeted missile and artillery strikes on critical infrastructure and life support facilities. In accordance with the National Plan for the Protection and Ensuring the Safety and Stability of Critical Infrastructure, it is necessary to conduct an assessment of threats and risks to critical infrastructure in the relevant areas and an assessment of threats to national security as a result of threats to critical infrastructure. The evaluation of the risk of infrastructure losses from missile and artillery attacks was carried out based on the calculation of the probability of the occurrence of relevant dangerous situations and the likelihood of losses from them for different types of infrastructure according to the model. The risk in work was quantified as the product of the probability of the threat of artillery and missile attacks, exposure, and the corresponding impact on it in the form of economic losses. Taking into account the results obtained in assessing the probability of missile and artillery attacks and losses of various types of infrastructure from them, a risk matrix was built according to the model used in the EU. The results of the assessment show that for almost all regions of the country, there is a risk of damage to the infrastructure by Russian shelling. At the same time, the highest level of risk of infrastructure losses from missile and artillery fire in the regions of Ukraine is noted in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. A high level of risk is characteristic of the Zaporizhia, Luhansk, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions. The average level of risk of infrastructure losses from rocket and artillery fire is noted for the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Odesa, and Zhytomyr regions. The low level of risk mainly applies to Cherkasy, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytskyi regions. The assessment of the risk of infrastructure losses by category is carried out according to data from the Kyiv School of Economics regarding the formation of direct losses for various types of infrastructure objects. Thus, a risk matrix is constructed. At the same time, statistical data calculates the probability of dangerous events and the probability of economic losses from them. On this basis, the corresponding dependence is formed, which was done to solve the purpose of this publication. The results of the assessment indicate the highest values of the probability of shelling for critical infrastructure objects (37%), residential buildings (25%), and educational institutions (8%). Energy facilities (6%), agro-industrial complexes, and industrial enterprises have a much lower probability of damage, which is also 6%. A probability distribution was obtained for different types of infrastructure to estimate the likelihood of losses of infrastructure objects from shelling similarly. The results of the assessment indicate that the most significant probability of infrastructure losses in the conditions of Ukraine is characteristic of residential buildings, infrastructure facilities, the energy industry, and the agricultural sector. At the same time, residential buildings, infrastructure facilities, enterprise assets, and industry are characterized by the highest probability of shelling. Taking into account the results obtained in assessing the likelihood of missile and artillery attacks and the loss of various types of infrastructure from them, a risk matrix was constructed in accordance with the model used in the EU. The analysis of the obtained results shows that a high risk of direct losses is characteristic of residential buildings and critical infrastructure facilities. The assets of enterprises, industries, agriculture, education, and energy have an increased level of risk. Objects of the forest fund, trade, housing and communal services, culture, tourism, sports, health care, and transport have an average level of risk. Other types of infrastructure objects considered in this study, including administrative buildings, digital infrastructure objects, the social sphere, and the financial sector, are characterized by a low level of risk. The results obtained regarding the reasonable assessment of risks and damages to Ukraine's infrastructure resulting from Russian military aggression are an essential prerequisite for the development of sensible measures to prevent threats and bring the aggressor to justice for further compensation for damages.

ДЕЙСТВИЕ ВОЕННОЙ АВИАЦИИ КРАСНОЙ И БЕЛОЙ АРМИЙ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ КРЫМА В 1920 ГОДУ

The experience of the First World War showed the increasing role of aviation on the battlefield and its significant contribution to the final result of the struggle. With the outbreak of the civil war on the territory of the former Russian Empire, in the confrontation of the reds, whites, and greens, only the first two turned out to have aviation units inherited from the Imperial army. Since the actions of aviation turned out to be very successful, especially in terms of conducting aerial reconnaissance, adjusting artillery fire, bombing, and storming cavalry units, their number grew. Both through the manufacture of new aircraft and through supplies from abroad. Tactics were improved. Radio communication was used to adjust artillery fire. For aerial reconnaissance of cinema and photographic equipment. Elements of interaction with ground units were worked out. The successful actions of aviation against cavalry units in Tavria significantly influenced the outcome of the fighting. The article personalizes many outstanding pilots of the Civil War period, both in the camp of whites and Reds. The brands of all aircraft used at that time are given. It plays a role in correcting the artillery fire of balloons and means of combating them. All the main battles of the final stage of the Civil War and the role of military aircraft of the warring parties in them are shown.

Enhancing impact resilience of thermal battery through honeycomb-structured aluminum buffering devices: Insights from large-scale gas-gun tests and simulations

Modern warfare relies heavily on electronic equipment, necessitating reliable energy sources like thermal batteries. Assessing their impact resilience, a study employed honeycomb-structured Al plates as buffering devices in a large-scale gas gun simulating artillery fire. Comparison between peak curves from gas-gun tests and simulations with varying honeycomb wall thicknesses revealed unique patterns, attributed to the buffering device's deformation-restoration process. Different honeycomb wall thicknesses led to varying deformation behavior and impact deceleration, complicating effective energy absorption assessment. Stepped honeycomb wall designs aimed to balance compression, extending energy absorption and reducing deceleration peaks. Prototype honeycomb buffering devices showed improved energy absorption and reduced deceleration during gas-gun tests. Gas-gun tests highlighted complexities in energy absorption assessment, with designs proposing improved energy absorption and reduced deceleration. The actual gas-gun test launched a projectile equipped with a thermal battery and buffering device, resulting in slight casing deformation, while battery cells remained intact, exceeding the standard discharge time (1 h).

Erosion mechanism of low-alloy steel at simulated conditions for artillery firing environment

To investigate erosion mechanism as exposed to extreme interior ballistic environment within artillery barrels, a specially designed testing apparatus has been utilised to perform simulated erosion testing at stress-temperature regimes close to practical working conditions. Detailed metallographic examination after testing at 600°C with a contact force of 9000 N has identified erosion mechanisms involved with adhesive and oxidative wear with the formation of an ultra-fined grain layer in subsurface regions. The erosion mechanism during testing at 1000°C is associated with a significant loss of strength for the matrix due to austenitisation and rapid formation of porous oxides. The approach utilised in the present study has facilitated an evaluation of erosion resistance of barrel materials with high efficiency and low cost.

Constitutive model of viscoelastic dynamic damage for the material of gas obturator in modular-charge howitzer

In order to investigate the mechanical response behavior of the gas obturator of the breech mechanism, made of polychloroprene rubber (PCR), uniaxial compression experiments were carried out by using a universal testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), obtaining stress-strain responses at different temperatures and strain rates. The results revealed that, in comparison to other polymers, the gas obturator material exhibited inconspicuous strain softening and hardening effects; meanwhile, the mechanical response was more affected by the strain rate than by temperature. Subsequently, a succinct viscoelastic damage constitutive model was developed based on the ZWT model, including ten undetermined parameters, formulated with incorporating three parallel components to capture the viscoelastic response at high strain rate and further enhanced by integrating a three-parameter Weibull function to describe the damage. Compared to the ZWT model, the modified model could effectively describe the mechanical response behavior of the gas obturator material at high strain rates. This research laid a theoretical foundation for further investigation into the influence of chamber sealing issues on artillery firing.

El Hospital Militar de Cartagena durante la insurrección cantonal (1873-1874)

In the context of social instability during the First Republic, two civil conflicts developed simultaneously in Spain: the Third Carlist War and the cantonal rebellion. The cantonal rebellion had the epicentre inCartagena, which withstood several months of siege by the army loyal to the government of the First Republic. The city was able to treat the wounded from the conflict with the Hospital de Caridad, a civilian building that was rendered unusable by the bombardments, and mainly by the Military Hospital. In this article we describe how health care was provided in this hospital in a war context with intense artillery fire for several months. The work has been carried out through the analysis of primary sources consulted in the Naval Archive of the Arsenal of Cartagena and, after transcribing the primary source found “Statistical Memory”; a letter sent by Captain General of the Department in March 1874 to the Government of the Republic, reporting the events that took place in the Military Hospital during the conflict, where there was a shortage of medical personnel, medicines and food, among others.

The shrapnel-crushed wounds in dogs: status evaluation and therapy for wound healing

Determining the clinical and laboratory status of animals with crushed wounds as a result of the traumatic effect of ammunition fragments, as well as the wound healing effect of ecologically safe drugs based on natural beekeeping products is of great importance under the conditions of the animals' stay in the war zone and territories subject to rocket-bomb and artillery fire. The aim of the research is to study the clinical condition of dogs with shrapnel-crushed wounds, observing its dynamics during systemic therapy and evaluating the therapeutic effect of wound healing using the universal biological ointment Unibiol®. During the research, various physical, hematological, biochemical, hemorheological, hemodynamic, and statistical methods were employed. Six animals with shrapnel-crushed wounds on their limbs and groin were analyzed. It was established that due to the traumatic factor, injuries in dogs are characterized by extensive tissue destruction and deconstruction. The overall condition of the animals, based on clinical signs, is described as toxemic-septic. Hematological changes such as anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, left shift in the nucleus, monocytosis, and lymphocytosis indicate a systemic inflammatory reaction and a septic state in the dogs' bodies. Biochemical studies revealed hypoalbuminemia leading to hypoproteinemia, creatinine elevation, uremia, elevated levels of indicator transaminases, suggesting multi-organ failure. A significant decrease in circulating blood volume, increased spontaneous platelet aggregation, characterizes a moderate traumatic circulatory shock, while a 5-fold increase in the circulation of D-dimer levels indicates a significant potential for disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Following infusion and antibiotic therapy, wound sanitation over 5 days led to a significant restoration of the clinical-laboratory status of the injured dogs, setting the stage for Unibiol® ointment wound-healing therapy. As a result of the treatment conducted over 21 days, the wound defect healed with the formation of complete granulation tissue and an elastic scar. The clinical trials conducted allow recommending Unibiol® ointment for effective and environmentally safe healing of severe shrapnel-crushed wounds.

Efficient Dynamic Analysis of Complex Beam Systems for Artillery Firing Using Time-Varying Mechanics

Efficient Dynamic Analysis of Complex Beam Systems for Artillery Firing Using Time-Varying Mechanics

Analysis of Experience of Using Small UAVs in the Battlefield: Training Enhancement Perspectives

The article analyzes the experience of the State Border Guard Service units in fighting russian occupying forces inflicting the fire damage with the help of small UAVs and describes the ways to use the acquired experience to develop a training course for the border guard UAV operators. The authors state that nowadays, in the conditions of the of full-scale invasion to Ukraine, active using of unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter – UAVs) proved their ability to perform combat tasks, making them one of the new and effective types of weapons in modern military conflicts. It is impossible to imagine a contemporary army without UAVs, as today they perform multiple roles: adjusting artillery fire, pointing and tracking targets, transmitting intelligence information to the headquarters, delivering fire strikes, and most importantly – they can help save the lives of soldiers. Analysis of a year and a half term of full-scale invasion of Ukraine showed that the use of UAVs is several times more effective than the use of traditional types of weapons. In the first days of the war, a huge number of the russian battalion tactical groups (hereinafter – BTGs) were concentrated on the borders of Ukraine, and that significantly outweighed the forces and means of military formations of Ukraine. Analysis also proves that the main striking force during the offensive, according to the governing documents, were armored fighting vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, amphibious assault vehicles, armored personnel carriers. And it was possible to stop enemy columns only with the help of artillery, aviation, and anti-tank missile systems. Therefore, in modern conditions, it is necessary to create fire damage to enemy armored vehicle groups with the help of attack UAVs of the border guard units. The article considers the effectiveness of such a unit, taking into account the tasks, organizational structure, forces and means necessary to respond to modern challenges and threats on the state border. The authors used the acquired experience of the Border Guard units to develop a training course for the UAV operators of the border guard units. The developers of the course took into account the combat experience and the best European practices in UAV operators training. The learning strategy of the course is based on a student-centred learning approach. It is designed to provide learners with theoretical knowledge and practical skills on the operators of the UAV crews deployed in border surveillance and combat operations. The course is divided in three phases: Independent Learning Phase (online), Contact Learning Phase (offline) and Experiential Learning Phase (at the border guard units).

A Study on Artillery Firing Data Solving Method Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm

A Study on Artillery Firing Data Solving Method Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm

Noi tendințe în întrebuințarea diferitelor arme în războiul ruso-ucrainean

In the Russian-Ukrainian war, there was a change in the weight of the use of some weapons in military actions. The very intensive use of ground artillery is observed. It is estimated that about 70% of Ukrainian military casualties are caused by Russian artillery fire, which is an extraordinary component of the armed forces. The Institute of Strategic Studies (IRUSI) in London notes the accuracy, but especially the short reaction time (up to three minutes) of this weapon. For the Ukrainians, the JAVELIN anti-tank missile and the highly accurate HIMARS systems (error of only 10m from the target) were very effective in hitting some infrastructure elements and warehouses of ammunition and logistical materials. As a result, the Russians had to move some of their warehouses deeper. A significant share is the drones used intensively by both sides, mainly the BAYRAKTAR (Turkish origin) by the Ukrainians and the SHAHED (Iranian origin) by the Russians.

New Trends in the Use of Different Weapons in the Russo-Ukrainian War

In the Russian-Ukrainian war, there was a change in the weight of the use of some weapons in military actions. The very intensive use of ground artillery is observed. It is estimated that about 70% of Ukrainian military casualties are caused by Russian artillery fire, which is an extraordinary component of the armed forces. The Institute of Strategic Studies (IRUSI) in London notes the accuracy, but especially the short reaction time (up to three minutes) of this weapon. For the Ukrainians, the JAVELIN anti-tank missile and the highly accurate HIMARS systems (error of only 10m from the target) were very effective in hitting some infrastructure elements and warehouses of ammunition and logistical materials. As a result, the Russians had to move some of their warehouses deeper. A significant share is the drones used intensively by both sides, mainly the BAYRAKTAR (Turkish origin) by the Ukrainians and the SHAHED (Iranian origin) by the Russians.

Ensuring the safety of citizens by rescuers/police officers in case of a chemical attack (accident at a chemical enterprise) in the conditions of marital law

The work deals with the urgent problem of ensuring the safety of life of the population in the conditions of martial law, introduced in Ukraine – providing premedical assistance to victims of a chemical attack (as a result of the action of dangerous factors of a man-made accident at a specialized chemical enterprise).
 The potential possibilities of means of defeating the units of the chemical forces of the aggressor state are analyzed, the cases of the use of chemical weapons by the occupiers in relation to both the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilian population during the war in Ukraine, as well as the real situations of destroyed chemical plants in many regions of the country, are described and summarized.
 On the basis of the analysis of operational publications in the Internet and scientific works of a great number of scientists, the general algorithm of rescue actions during the evacuation of victims of a chemical attack/accident (workers/residents) was considered, modern approaches in the order of providing premedical aid both at chemical enterprises and at home conditions when people are injured by the most common chemical substances were clarified, recommendations concerning compliance by police officers with established rules of conduct at the scene of the incident are offered.
 The main signs that characterize the beginning of a chemical attack in the conditions of martial law and allow the population to identify it quickly are given: 1) chemical alarm signals; 2) features of air raids or enemy artillery fire; 3) simultaneous mass death of small animals, birds and insects.
 The peculiarities of the effect on the human body of such substances as chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid), nitrogen (nitrogen N), nitric acid, oxide (dioxin) of nitrogen, for each of which characteristic symptoms of damage for the victim are determined, the procedure for providing premedical aid to victims in case of damage by them, as well as under the influence of chemical weapons (sarin, phosgene) has been specified.
 Based on the analysis of special literature and the results of the conducted research, a generalization was made regarding the importance of training the population in effective (and therefore safe) actions in the event of a chemical attack by the military units of the aggressor state (a man-made accident at chemical enterprises), the need to observe the established rules of conduct and safety measures in the case of a missile/artillery attack by the occupiers, regardless of the region or territory of fighting actions in Ukraine

Expanding the functionality of IoT devices in conditions of emergency situations

The article is devoted to the expansion of functional devices of the Internet of Things (IoT) in order to increase the safety of the population in emergency situations, in particular in the context of natural disasters and military threats. After analyzing the latest research and publications, a conclusion was made about the relevance of the development of IoT technologies in the context of modern challenges for the safety of citizens. Special emphasis is placed on the use of innovative approaches to solving public safety problems, particularly for persons with disabilities, such as the hearing impaired or the elderly. The article describes the implementation of software in the Python programming language to visually display the status of a missile threat or artillery fire using Yeelight smart lamps, which use colored light to convey information about the presence or absence of danger messages. The proposed solutions include synchronous operation of devices in real time, connection to reliable sources of messages and provision of stable communication between devices and the server. The project demonstrated an innovative approach to solving security problems in crisis situations, in particular martial law, promoting a quick and accurate response to valuable threats and protecting the population.

Verification of artillery fire under the influence of random disturbances for the computer game ARMA 3

Computer gaming occupies a firm place in today's media culture and media business. Computer games are widely used both as a means of entertainment and as an educational tool. Military games traditionally hold a place in computer gaming. However, it is in this sector of gaming that a sharp contradiction is observed between the super-realistic quality of the video component and the limited scope of the game's script component. In particular, in the development of military-themed games, the introduction of modern weapon models is rapidly evolving. At the same time, the experience of military conflicts over the last decade and the new tactical techniques developed are difficult to implement in games. This work demonstrates the possibility of improving the artillery component of ARMA 3. In artillery fire, random disturbances are always present. These disturbances cannot be eliminated during the preparation of the firing. In practice, they are compensated by consecutive ranging shots. Modern artillery firing tactics require the maximum reduction of the firing time of the artillery unit. In this regard, methods for verifying each artillery shot are very relevant. Verification is understood as confirming the effectiveness of a shot immediately after it is made. A method for verifying a shot by recording the flight time of a projectile through three control points is proposed and studied. Based on the recorded flight times by sensors, a system of approximating parabolas is constructed. The solution of the system allows determining the expected point of the projectile's burst before it lands. The deviation of the burst point from the aiming point verifies the quality of the artillery shot. Simulation modeling of the proposed method has been conducted. It is demonstrated that parabolic approximation effectively compensates for random disturbances of the shot. A comparison of the proposed method with the method of compensating disturbances through consecutive ranging shots is made. It is shown that the proposed method significantly reduces the firing time of the weapon and the ammunition expenditure for hitting the target for the ARMA 3 player.

Use of the mobile application "ArtKZ" for calculating artillery firing settings

This article presents the developed mobile application "ArtKZ" designed to solve the tasks of compiling meteorological bulletins based on the data of the division weather station, calculating the total corrections for deviations of meteorological and ballistic firing conditions from the tabulated values and determining the settings for firing on the basis of full training. A description and procedure for using the mobile application in solving these tasks is given. According to the presented characteristics of the mobile application "ArtKZ" the relevance of its use in the educational process of educational institutions and in the artillery units of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstanis determined in order to improve the quality of control and determination of settings for firing, when the trainees perform firing tasks with live firing and on simulated means.