1. DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED
AOT Gun Advanced Modular Gun Large-Caliber High Velocity Launcher Redefining – “Faster Than A Speeding Bullet” Presented by Applied Ordnance Technology 39th NDIA Guns & Ammunition Conference Baltimore, MD April 2204
DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

2. PERFORMANCE PROJECT HISTORY DESIGN TESTING Proof-of-Concept
Outline
PERFORMANCE
PROJECT HISTORY
DESIGN
TESTING
Proof-of-Concept
Dynamic Setback Test
Barrel Joint Test
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Broken Breech Design which enables different chamber sizes and diff. Barrel lengths to be tested on the same platform. Integrated loading system to accommodate the various chambers. Benefits – 1. Longer Range 2. Higher muzzle velocity.
AOT Gun or XLR

3. Muzzle Velocities of Large Caliber Guns
AOT Gun Performance
Muzzle Velocities of
Large Caliber Guns 10 11
1. Rail Gun 2,500 m/s
2. AOT Gun 2,400 m/s
3. 16” HARP 2,100 m/s
4. Paris Gun 2,000 m/s
5. 7” HARP 1,650 m/s
6. MK45 Mod 4 1,050 m/s
7. AGS 155mm 825 m/s
8. M mm 822 m/s
9. MK7 16” 820 m/s
10. MK45 Mod m/s
11. 8” Howitzer 595 m/s
12. M mm 550 m/s 9 3 4 2 1 8 12
> 2 km/s 5 7
1.00 – 1.49 6
0.50 – 0.99
0 – 0.49

4. Energy Levels of Large Caliber Guns
AOT Gun Performance
Energy Levels of
Large Caliber Guns 8
1. MK7 16” 335 MJ
2. Paris Gun 240 MJ
3. AOT Gun 80 MJ
4. Rail Gun 64 MJ
5. 16” HARP 40 MJ
6. 7” HARP 37 MJ
7. 8” Howitzer 22 MJ
8. AGS 155mm 20 MJ
9. MK45 Mod 4 18 MJ
10. M mm 15 MJ
11. MK45 Mod 2 11MJ
12. M mm 4 MJ 9 2 7 1
>200 MJ 3 MJ 12 4 6 5
50-99 MJ 10
26-49 MJ 11
0-25 MJ

5. History - Project Origins
NSFS Objective:
Long Range 40-60nm
Volume Fire from the Sea
Timely Response
Deep Strike
Navy Submitted SBIR Topic in 1996 for Vertical Gun System
AOT was awarded a Phase I contract and the rest is history
Arsenal Ship

6. History - AOT’s Solution
AOT designed a high energy, high-pressure, large-volume,
chemical gun system.
High Energy, High Velocity, High Pressure
Separable Chamber
Multiple, Large Volume Chambers
Disposable Sealing Cartridge
Segmented Barrel
Patent 6,571,676
XLR Concept

7. Disposable Sealing Cartridge Alternate Propellants (e.g., light gas)
Design - Innovations
Separable Chamber
Removable Chamber
Disposable Sealing Cartridge
Alternate Propellants (e.g., light gas)
Modular Chambers
Multiple Chambers
Chambers of Different Volumes
Loading from Top
Segmented, Smoothbore Barrel
Varying Barrel Length
Modular Gun Configurations
The XLR gun design breaks away from traditional large caliber guns. The XLR gun is a high energy, high-pressure, large chamber volume, chemical vertical gun system. The gun is capable of 100,000 psi chamber operating pressure; typical guns nominal operate at 60,000 psi. The energy level achievable is 3 times that of fielded guns today. The gun can launch a projectile at speeds above 4,500 mph. (MACH 6).
The XLR possesses many features which produce a unique design. The design innovations resulted in a modular gun design; long, segmented barrel; top chamber loading; a turntable for support two chambers; a separable chamber, and a replaceable chambrage sealing cartridge.
The gun system consists of two major assemblies. The first is the cannon assembly, which comprises of the barrel/chamber connector, recoil cylinders, barrel support structure and barrel segments. The second is the turntable, which contains the chambers and projectile rammers
Separable Chamber (shown in yellow)
Chambrage Seal Cartridge

8. Design - Modular Test Gun Upgrades
During Phase III, the XLR design became modular. Since the design used a separable chamber and segmented barrels, a variety of gun configurations are permissible. Different volume chambers could be used to optimize a prop charge for a given projectile and increase gun performance. Mono-bloc barrels are used so that varying barrels could be used and to make the barrels interchangeable.
Three configurations were designed. Gun performance could be increased by adding additional (modular) hardware.
The recoil cylinders are sized to handle the recoiling forces of each configuration; replacing them is not necessary.

9. Versatile Multiple Uses Large Caliber Design - FAB FEATURE ADVANTAGE
BENEFIT
Modular Design
Multiple Gun Sizes
(different chambers and varying barrel length)
Adaptable Design to Many Different Requirements
Tailor Gun Performance Parameters
Replaceable Chambrage Sealing Cartridge
Protects Forcing Cone Area
Ideal Test Article for Gun Technology Experiments
Multiple Chambers
More than One Chamber Can be Used; Different Volumes Permissible
Not Locked into a Given Chamber Volume
Large Volume Chamber
Large Quantity of Propellant
High Energy
Segmented Barrels
Long Barrel Length
Test Barrel Segment
High Muzzle Velocity
Reduced Cost
Large Caliber Size
Launch Tactical Projectiles
Conduct Full Scale Testing
Why develop the XLR? The XLR innovations and unique features resulted in a modular gun design. Its modular provides its flexibility and adaptability to an ever-changing DoD environment. The XLR’s modularity is its advantage over other test guns. The table below briefly describes the XLR’s features, advantages and benefits.

10. Special Thanks to Benét Labs for Supporting Test.
POC Test 2003
Evaluated 2 Seal Config.
O-ring design
Non o-ring Design
Shots at KSI Pressures
Over 60 shots conducted
Multiple Shots on Some Seals
One Seal Subjected to 40 Shots
Both Seal Config. Held Pressure
Test 100% Successful
Sealing Cartridge
(o-ring config. shown on left)
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.
S/N 03 After
6 Shots
S/N 01 After 1 Shot
Special Thanks to Benét Labs for Supporting Test.

11. Verification Test - Setback Test
IPT - AOT, Dahlgren, Indian Head
Dahlgren Gun Mount
Full-scale Testing
Nozzle/Throttle to Simulate P-t Curve
Sealing Cartridge Performance
Chamber Pressures Up to 100 KSI
Chamber/Barrel Interface Motion
Chamber Connection
26 kg Prop Charge
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.
Test Fixture
Test Fixture Simulation

12. Setback Test Simulation
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.

13. Setback Test Simulation
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.

14. (Used in Verification Testing)
Test Fixture Hardware
Chamber In Production
(Used in Verification Testing)
1. Chamber Design
2. Drawing
3. Billet Being Saw Cut
This sequence of pictures shows the evolution of the chamber that will be used for the Dynamic Setback Test. The chamber is being processed in the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland.
4. Billet Out of Furnace
5. Billet During Shaping
(chamber billet on left)
6. Chamber Rough Shape

15. Barrel/Chamber Coupler (Used in Verification Testing)
Test Fixture Hardware
Barrel/Chamber Coupler
(Used in Verification Testing)
1. Coupler Design
2. Coupler FEA
3. Drawing
This sequence of pictures shows the evolution of the barrel/chamber coupler that will be used for the Dynamic Setback Test. The coupler is being processed in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
4. Billet After Saw Cut
5. Coupler in Furnace
6. Rough Machine

16. Verification Test - Barrel Joint Test
IPT - AOT, Dahlgren, Indian Head
Attach Barrel Segment to Existing Test Fixture
Continued Evaluation of Sealing Cartridge Performance
Chamber Pressures Up to 80 KSI
Chamber/Barrel Interface Motion
Combustible Cartridge Case
Barrel Joint Seal
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.

17. Upcoming Activities 2004 Verification Test - Setback NACO Prop Charge
2005
Verification Test - Barrel Joint
Use XLR Mod 0 (5”/70-cal., < 2km/s)
EX-99 Prop Charge
Wear & Erosion Testing
Build XLR Mod 1 (100-cal., < 2.4km/s)
Configuration of possible multiple barrel lengths and chamber volumes.
2006
Indian Head’s Advanced Propellants (co-layered Propellant Configurations; High Nitrogen Ingredients for Reduced Erosivity)
Use XLR Mod 1
Build XLR Mod 2 (200-cal., > 2.5 km/sec possible)

18. Gun Instrumentation & Safety Systems Wear & Erosion Mitigation
Project Objectives
Gun Instrumentation & Safety Systems
Wear & Erosion Mitigation
Barrel Coatings/Liners
Lightweight Barrel Materials
Ignition Systems
Advanced Chemical Propellants
Advanced Projectiles
The project objective is to provide the DoD community with a high energy, high pressure, high velocity TEST GUN for advancing gun technology.

19. Applied Ordnance Technology, Inc. 103 Paul Mellon Court, Suite A
Contact AOT
Applied Ordnance Technology, Inc.
103 Paul Mellon Court, Suite A
Waldorf, MD 20602
Steve Coladonato,
At the Conference:
George Wilson
Mark Adams
Steve Coladonato
Steve Adams