Types Of Munitions Research Articles

PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFYING ARTILLERY MEANS OF DESTRUCTION

For evidence in the International Criminal Court of the crimes of the Russian Federation for strikes on civilian infrastructure, substantial evidence is required. Indeed, indisputable evidence includes fragments of missiles and munitions found at the sites of impact. The article presents the procedure for identifying enemy artillery means of destruction, which consists of eight stages. The procedure for identifying artillery means of destruction from fragments found at the scene should be comprehensive, including the determination of the type of munition, identification of the probable area of enemy firing positions from which the strike was conducted, and should include the following stages: inspection of the crater to collect informative fragments; determination of the type of munition; identification of the type of artillery system from which the fire was conducted; determination of the direction from which the artillery shell was fired; identification of the probable area of enemy firing positions. The use of 3D models for reconstructing the shell casing has been proposed, which will enable the identification of enemy types of munitions much faster and without the need for laboratory analysis. Based on the results of the munition type identification, an expert report is compiled, which may also include the names of individuals involved in the crime. Step-by-step execution of the stages in the procedure for identifying artillery shell explosions, starting with working at the crater and ending with comparative measurements, including the use of 3D models, will optimize and facilitate the work of experts at the scene and speed up the process of providing information to investigators. Additionally, applying the stages of the procedure will enable the creation of a database of identified fragments for further study and comparison during the experts' work. Thus, the proposed procedure for identifying fragments of enemy artillery munitions collected from the scene will significantly ease the work of military personnel and forensic experts, facilitate cooperation between forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies at both national and international levels, and ultimately contribute to the successful investigation of war crimes.

Prison overcrowding and ill-treatment: sentence reduction as a reparation measure. A view from Latin America and Europe.

In recent years mass protest movements have taken to the streets in many countries across the world. Despite strong international and domestic legal protections for the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and other fundamental human rights, entire assemblies are frequently labelled violent and less lethal weapons are used to disperse them. This article examines the weapons often used by police against public assemblies. Focusing on striking weapons (batons), chemical irri-tants, kinetic impact projectiles and stun grenades, the article uses examples from various countries to illustrate how these weapons are being used and the associated human rights and health impacts. Re-sults: Worrying trends identified include the use of dangerous or untested equipment, such as thermal foggers to deploy chemical irritants; the use of inherently abusive weapons, such as whips or sjam-boks; and the increasing use of certain types of munitions, specifically indiscriminate kinetic impact projectiles. The article seeks to support medical and legal professionals becoming more familiar with the weapons being used in the countries they practice in, the effects of those weapons, and clinical aspects in the presentation and care of those exposed.

Database of in-plume emission factors from open demilitarization of military ordnance

ABSTRACT A searchable database of emission factors from open burning, open detonation, and static firing of military ordnance and rocket motors has been developed and made available. Sampling and analytical results since 2010 have been compiled from seven campaigns in the USA and Canada at four different sites. Various ordnance types were used for multiple test scenarios varying location, soil covered/uncovered, metal-cased and uncased, and net explosive weight. Target compounds include, variously, particulate matter, metals, energetics, volatile organic compounds, and others. Data were primarily derived from unmanned aerial sampling methods using ordnance charge sizes and procedures representative of operational demilitarization operations. The database includes 1,212 emission factors for 39 different types of munitions and an array of pollutants where open burns accounted for 514 scenarios, static firing for 83, and open detonation for 614. The database will be of use for risk evaluations, environmental reporting requirements, and demilitarization operations.

Research on the Dynamic Model of Fireball Thermal Dose Based on the Effective Band Integral Method.

In the brief combustion process of an explosive fireball, the fireball can release considerable radiant energy. Aiming at the problem that the Stephen-Boltzmann formula calculates the fireball surface radiant energy (full band), it does not match the working bands of most infrared thermal imagers. So, in this paper, we obtain dynamic parameters such as the temperature, diameter, and height of the fireball from the infrared thermal image of the thermobaric explosive fireball, achieve on-site atmospheric transmittance by the temperature calibration target, and integrate within the effective wavelength band of the infrared thermal imager, and a precise dynamic model of the fireball's thermal radiation dose was finally established. According to the fireball test data of the infrared thermal imaging camera in the 2-5 μm band, the heat dose of the fireball at different distances is calculated, which is about 1/2.5 of the calculation result of the Stephen-Boltzmann full-band integral formula. The calculations in this paper are more accurate than measurements from existing static models and provide a better assessment of the thermal damage performance of various types of munitions.

Application of a terminal-ballistics model for estimating munition lethal radius on mortar projectiles and rocket warheads

In our previous work, we developed a new terminal-ballistics model developed for artillery high explosive projectiles with natural fragmentation. Lethal radius is here defined as the distance from the detonation point where the effective fragment (80 J) density is 1 frag/m2. In the model, the vertical position of the projectile upon impact is assumed, which means that the lethal radius defines a circular lethal zone (maximum lethal zone of the projectile on the ground). In the research, presented in this paper, we have applied the model to mortar projectiles and rocket warheads, which have different designs compared with classic artillery projectiles. The results from the model, compared to the available experimental results from the quarter-circular arena (used in our country), showed satisfactory accuracy for these types of munitions.

Observation of munitions migration and burial in the swash and breaker zones

Behavior of underwater unexploded ordnance located on the sea bed is poorly understood. Different types of munitions were tested in the swash and breaker zones of a large-scale flume containing medium sand on two initial foreshore slopes (1:16 and 1:10) with regular and irregular wave forcing (Hs = 0.3–1.1 m; Tp = 2.6–9 s). Migration and burial were measured via pre- and post-run surveys and internal munition sensors. Water depths, flow velocities, wave runup and beach morphology changes were also measured. Munition sensors consist of an inertial motion unit for roll and heading and optical photocells for burial. Munition migration distances in the swash zone were greatest for the steeper slope and lower density munitions. Munition migration mimicked wave runup with net offshore transport. Breaker zone munitions experienced episodes of onshore- and offshore-directed motion without preferred direction. Denser munitions were observed to bury deeper, up to 2 munition diameters. Moderate correlation was observed between burial (r2 = 0.48) or migration (r2 = 0.37) with dimensionless parameters (such as Shields parameter, Keulegan-Carpenter number, object mobility number, munition density and Iribarren number), attributed to the high variability in munition response even under similar offshore forcing conditions.

Analysis of development and main trends of the thermobaric ammunition

The article discusses the history of development and the experience of the use of incendiary weapons, namely the thermobaric ammunition. Reveals the initial ideas of their application, and the specificity of their mechanism of action, the factors that directly affect the effectiveness of their application, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the use. The list of volume-detonating action, which today is in the arsenal of the Russian army.It is noted that the leading military experts attach great importance to the continuous development and improvement of this type of munitions because of their effectiveness. Research military institutions today are constantly doing research on improving data and testing means of armed struggle. According to the armed forces face urgent issues of comprehensive protection from all types of weapons, including such powerful as lit-on weapons.

Analysis of towed camera images to determine the effects of disposed mustard-filled bombs on the deep water benthic community off south Oahu

Still images from a towed camera sled were used to evaluate the potential ecological effects of M47A2 mustard-filled (1,1′-thiobis[2-chloroethane]) bombs disposed of in over 500m of water off the south coast of Oahu in 1944. The types of munitions and munitions debris in the images were identified by an ordnance and explosives safety specialist. To the extent feasible, non-munitions related debris were also identified. Biologists then examined the images and identified the types and numbers of animals: (1) on or near (<1m) the M47A2 bombs; (2) on other manmade debris, including other munitions; and (3) on the natural substrate that was predominantly sediment with little, if any, topographic relief. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze these data to identify differences between the biota inhabiting the three substrates. The analysis indicated that the types and numbers of animals associated with the M47A2 bombs were not significantly different from those observed on other types of munitions and other manmade debris; however they were significantly different from the animals found only on the natural sediment. Based on these results, it appears that the mustard-filled bombs are providing hard substrate similar to other disposed objects, attracting “hard substrate species” that would not have otherwise colonized the area. Even though it is apparent that many of the mustard-filled bombs have breached and their contents exposed, the analysis did not find any evidence of animals avoiding the mustard-filled bombs.

Landscapes of Logistics: The Archaeology and Geography of WWII German Military Supply Depots in Central Normandy, North-west France

Earthworks associated with WWII German military supply depots are shown to be well preserved on the modern forest floors of the Forêt domaniale des Andaines in central Normandy, North-west France, and are located within the record of the Seventh Army logistics network developed prior to the D-Day landings in June 1944. Features are typically located alongside forest roads and tracks and collectively amount to a military archaeological landscape that extends for nearly 10 km. Pilot survey of 50 discrete features demonstrates that at least three different storage facilities are evident, with variations in the size and morphology of bunkers that are consistent with the requirements of different types of munitions, fuel, foodstuffs, and vehicles. Numerous bomb craters also record Allied attempts to destroy the facilities. It is concluded that by the standards of WWII archaeology in the North-west European theatre, the Forêt domaniale des Andaines has permitted an exceptional state of preservation for non-hardened military facilities and combat-related damage.

High-Resolution Imaging Sonar and Video Technologies for Detection and Classification of Underwater Munitions

AbstractThe detection of and response to underwater munitions will undoubtedly require the appropriate combinations of fully integrated sensors and imaging systems and platforms, as well as navigation and positioning technologies, to handle the variability in bottom conditions, water clarity and depth, size and type of munitions of interest, whether they are buried or proud. Where visibility allows, practically no sensing modality matches the details and information content from optical imaging systems for target localization, discrimination and identification. The significant disadvantage of optical systems for underwater applications is the range limitation. Sonar imaging systems are of limited resolution but do not have such a severe range limitation, as acoustic energy propagates well through turbid waters.In this study, we have explored two aspects of the munitions detection and classification process: (1) high-resolution mapping of an environment using a high-frequency sonar system to determine footprints of areas with munitions present and target localization in a wide-area survey and to perform detailed surveys for individual detected items during a re-acquisition process and (2) Multiple-Aspect Fixed-Range Template Matching (MAFR-TM) for detection and classification of the potential target.The MAFR-TM approach was tested using (1) a singular target scene collected in a test tank, (2) a cluttered scene acquired in the same test tank, and (3) a cluttered scene obtained in a realistic field environment (a marina). The munitions-like targets were cylinders made of steel or aluminum. The clutter was a collection of PVC tubes. Biological growth surrounded the target and artificial clutter in the marina. The experimental results indicate that the detection algorithm performs fairly well with the tank data (100% of the targets are detected) and cluttered tank data (94.44%). The classification between metals and plastics, proper orientation and target localization is also of good quality: 94.4% of the detected targets are properly classified as metal alloy if no clutter is present versus 82.35% in the presence of clutter. The algorithm performance in the marina is reasonably good, even though the overall performance drops: 61.11% of the targets are detected, and 68.18% of the detected targets are properly classified as metal alloy.

Use of principal component images for classification of the EM response of unexploded ordnance

The location and identification of unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a major challenge for environmental rehabilitation of former military firing ranges and bombing target areas. EM methods are in widespread use for the location of metal objects, however the presence of large quantities of scrap metal from successful detonation of munitions makes discrimination between munitions and scrap and munitions of various sizes a necessity in order for efficient location, digging and removal of UXOs to proceed. Several recent papers show that detailed three-component EM measurements followed by inversion to dipole moments of an EM target is effective in characterising a target, however such techniques require precise data, usually from stationary data acquisition. EM data acquired from a moving ground platform for UXO detection is typically high in motion-induced noise which limits the usefulness of decay-curve analysis in target characterization. We use a data set from the Australian Air Force Newholme UXO Test Range, Armidale, NSW, and show that a) images of time-window data are unsuccessful in discriminating between different types of munitions, b) adaptive decay index methods are ineffective due to high noise levels on the observed decay curves, and c) principal-component transforms of the data are successful in differentiating between different types of munitions. The method provides a tool for initial classification and prioritization of anomalies from a surveyed area, thus facilitating preparation of an efficient program of follow-up surveys and site clean-up.

Measurements of gunshot residues by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry—Further studies with pistols

The most popular handgun in Brazil is the single round-barrel caliber 0.38 revolver. In recent years, however, owing to the modernization of police arms and their availability on the legal and illicit markets, pistols have become increasingly popular and currently represent about 20% of police seizures. In a previous paper we presented a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediamine–tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs with subsequent detection using sector field-high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-HR-ICP-MS). In the present paper, we discuss the capability of this methodology to identify antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) on the hands of volunteers after shot tests with 9 mm and 0.40 in. caliber pistols. Two types of munitions were tested: 9 mm Taurus and clean range. The use of a technique with high sensitivity, such as SF-HR-ICP-MS, permits the identification of low concentrations (less than 1 μg/L) of metals in firearm residue and constitutes a powerful tool in forensic science. We also discuss the importance of the sampling procedure, including collection from a different body part than the gun hand of the suspect. Comparison of the analytical data obtained allows clear discrimination between samples from the hands of shooters and non-shooters.

Attrition formulas for deterministic models of large-scale combat

This article describes attrition formulas that (a) consider area fire and point fire, (b) consider various levels of coordination of fire, (c) allow the explicit consideration of the use of various types of munitions, (d) allow a maximum density of targets for area fire, and (e) allow meaningful allocations of fire for point fire. For each type of fire (area or point) and for each relevant level of coordination except one (shoot-look-shoot fire), the precise form of the corresponding attrition formula is given