High Energy, Large Projectile Recovery (HELPR)

The US Army needs to test advanced artillery round of large caliber and high total kinetic energy. A key aspect of this testing is the recovery of the round prior to impact. Existing recovery methods exert excessive loads on the rounds and cannot survive the rigors of the test environment. Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) will partner with QinetiQ North America (QNA) to develop a low-cost, robust system to capture the projectile in flight, decelerate it gently over a large distance, and the recover the round in a controlled manner for evaluation. The system uses existing components and materials specifically designed for use in demanding outdoor environments. The system design can be scaled to meet a wide range of projectile masses, dimensions, and muzzle velocities. Prior work by PSI and QNA provides substantial background data and equipment that will enable prototype testing during the Phase I Base program. The team will test the materials and construction methods for full-scale impact loads as well as test a scaled system prototype to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the approach.