DIFFERENT OBTURATOR CONFIGURATIONS FOR PUSH LAUNCHED SABOTS

Abstract

In this work several different obturator designs were explored for use with a four-petal, pushlaunch sabot design for a tungsten heavy alloy projectile. Stepped-top obturators resulted in higher average pitch values than flat-topped obturators. Single piece obturators of acetal or UHMWPE appeared to provide equivalent behavior; acetal appears to be more brittle than UHMWPE, but was easier to machine to tolerance. Two-part obturators functioned reliably and were less prone to result in secondary impact on targets. Aluminum and steel pusher plates offered comparable performance for the projectile and launch velocity considered. A Garolite G-11 composite pusher plate didn’t prove strong enough to function correctly. Shots with drag flares consistently had lower pitch values than shots without drag flares.