Title: Computational atmospheric trajectory simulation analysis of spin-stabilised projectiles and small bullets

Authors: D.N. Gkritzapis, E.E. Panagiotopoulos, D.P. Margaris, D.G. Papanikas

Addresses: Laboratory of Firearms and Tool Marks Section, Criminal Investigation Division, Captain of Hellenic Police, Hellenic Police, 11522 Athens, Greece. ' Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece. ' Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece. ' Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece

Abstract: A mathematical model is based on the full equations of motion set up in the no-roll body reference frame and is integrated numerically from given initial conditions at the firing site. The computational flight analysis takes into consideration the Mach number and total angle of attack effects by means of the variable aerodynamic coefficients. For the purposes of the present work, linear interpolation has been applied for aerodynamic coefficients from the official tabulated database. Static stability is examined. The aerodynamic jump has the most important effect and is examined more closely for projectile and bullet flight trajectories.

Keywords: aerodynamic jump; constant aerodynamic coefficients; variable aerodynamic coefficients; Coriolis effect; Magnus effect; static stability; gyroscopic stability; atmospheric trajectory; simulation; spin-stabilised projectiles; small bullets; equations of motion; no-roll body reference frame; flight analysis; Mach number; total angle of attack; flight trajectories.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCSM.2008.019723

International Journal of Computing Science and Mathematics, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.53 - 72

Published online: 25 Jul 2008 *

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