Simulation of shot impacts for the M1A1 tank

A validation of a coupled simulation package used for the accuracy assessme nt of large caliber weapons is reported. Test data from field firings of th e M1A1 tank shooting M865 projectiles are compared with simulated results. The overall simulation predicts gun tube deformation during firing and proj ectile motion from the breech to the target. The gun tube is modeled using finite elements, and the projectile is modeled with finite elements while i n the gun tube and as a rigid body while in free Right. By using this coupl ed analysis approach as compared to standard projection, a 42% improvement in the prediction of target impact locations for a select set of test condi tions is realized.