Sensitivity characterization of low vulnerability (LOVA) propellants

(Киршенбаум M.C, Аврами Л., Штраус B. Характеристики чувствительности малоуязвимых (LOVA) порохов).Technical report. — Dover, New Jersey: Large caliber weapon systems laboratory. 1983. – 45 p.Low vulnerability (LOVA) propellants are being developed to improve the сombat survivability and effectiveness of our current weapon systems. The basic LOVA formulation contains approximately 75% nitramine filler. This report describes the results of a study that was conducted to determine the sensitivity properties of a number of the candidate LOVA propellants as well as seven conventional nitrate ester propellants (M30, M26, M6+2, NACO, two United Kingdom propellants, F527/428, and NQ, and one propellant from the Federal Republic of Germany, JA-2). The laboratory sensitivity and thermal stability tests included impact sensitivity, DTA, TGA, autoignition temperature, explosion temperature, VTS, HFCI, and DDT. The data generated is being used for comparative purposes with the conventional reference propellants, and to develop criteria for evaluation in final selection of a LOVA candidate for scale-up to a Production Improvement Program.