Ballistic Technology
Development
DTA Symposium
March 2015
Mr Brian Shaw
Section Lead- Ballistics and Protection
Background
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Despite our geographic location NZ has a long history of
participation in conflicts. As a result we are not immune
to aggression and at times we must respond with force.
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Protection for our personnel and an understanding of our
weapons effects is fundamental to that military force.
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DTA is receiving an increasing number of enquiries in the
area of protection and terminal effects.
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The specialised nature of ballistics and increased level of
complexity has driven the creation of a dedicated
ballistics and protection section within DTA (Oct, 2014).
Scope
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Support for NZDF operations.
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Provide technical advice and testing capabilities for new acquisitions.
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Support to applied research activities
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Support to other NZ government organisations e.g. Police, ESR,
customs.
Strategy
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Build testing expertise through the successful completion of
ballistic test projects.
Promulgate awareness of DTA ballistic capabilities within
NZDF.
Support relevant & focused research initiatives external to
DTA.
Participation in relevant TTCP activities eg LND TP5
Proactively develop relationships with external organisations:
• NZ Police
• Environmental Science Research (ESR)
• Universities
• Technology and research organisations in allied nations
Current Capabilities- Protection
Protection
• Armour materials testing.
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Interpretation of international ballistic test standards and material
specifications.
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Advice and technical support for protective equipment acquisitions.
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Access information from US, Canada, Aus and UK thru TTCP LND TP5
(Survivability of the mounted and dismounted Soldier).
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Reach-back capability to a DTA wide support base.
Current Capabilities
Lethality
• Weapon accuracy and penetration assessments.
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Manufacture of human tissue simulant in the form
of ballistic gel (calibrated and optically clear).
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Application of high speed video capable of:
• Capturing projectiles in flight
• Yaw measurement and analyse
• Projectile terminal effects on targets including gel,
steel and barrier materials
• Slow motion video of weapons actions
Current Capabilities
Completed Work Programs
Case Study- Battle Training Facility (BTF) protection Materials
• Provide advice on steel selection for the project team.
• Testing a selection of steel types and thickness.
• Different ammunition types.
• Understanding localized plate damage and back face deformation.
Completed Work Programs
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IPV 50 cal. gun mount protection.
Ceramic tile testing- SIALON (IRL).
LAV applique armour inspection and repair
development.
LAV underbody blast assessments.
Seasprite threat assessment and mitigation.
Personnel armour lifing and standards review.
Support for weapons upgrade programs as directed
by the DTA operations analysis team.
• Velocity measurement
• Bench rest testing
• Accuracy testing
Future Capability Development
Case Study- Down loading of ammunition to allow velocity control.
• Velocity control of projectiles is an essential component to ballistics
testing.
• It allows testing at close range with muzzle velocity control.
• Control is achieved by reducing propellant volumes and use of different
propellant mixes to control burn rate.
Future Capability Development
•Protective equipment testing including back face deformation assessment
of armour systems thru the application of plastina clay torso models.
•Test barrels and stand to cover standard calibres and fragment simulating
projectiles.
•Target test frames to allow controlled angle of attack i.e ricochet and
deflection effects.
•Establishing a shared ballistic capability with ESR in support of the current
MOU.
Future Work Programs
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Continued testing and assessment of ballistic protection materials for
the NZDF battle training facility at Ardmore.
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Terminal effects assessment of current ammunition types against all
likely barriers.
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Facilitate and assess the introduction of new ammunition types.
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Provide testing support for RNZE/ABCA initiatives on infrastructure
ballistic penetration tables.
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Flare gun velocity assessment for RNZAF.
Questions?