Ordnance Design

Course structure

Lectures are delivered at MSc standard by Cranfield University academics, supplemented by commercial Subject Matter Experts. The knowledge of each taught phase is followed by a tutorial session to consolidate the knowledge and using static displays of military equipment to aid the teaching environment. The course is concerned with the design and development of ordnance systems. It aims to provide an understanding of the systems technology employed and the design of discreet key components such as the barrel, breech, muzzle brake, recoil system and superstructure design. To do this, the course builds on the internal ballistics of a gun to compute the forces, pressures and stresses generated in a gun system during firing and therefore relate the physical limits of gun systems to their installation and performance. Students will be able to design a gun system and critically evaluate the integration of subsystems and their effect on the system performance, cognisant of current standards and practice. In addition recognise and predict the effect of; stress, fatigue, wear and thermal loading on a gun system.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Define the fundamental terms used in gun design,
• Describe the processes involved in the design of a gun system,
• Compute the forces, pressures and stresses generated in a gun system during firing,
• Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering and physical limits of gun systems in relation to their installation and performance.

Core content

The following topics will be covered:

• Evaluation of gun barrel design pressure curve and maximum safe pressure,
• Barrel material, treatment and manufacturing specifications,
• Ordnance design (strength, wear and fatigue),
• Barrel thermodynamics,
• Weapon dynamics,
• Breech design,
• Recoil system design,
• Muzzle brake design,
• Super structure design (cradle and saddle).

Upgrade to a professional qualification

This module is worth 20 credits when taken as part of the Gun Systems Design MSc or the Military Vehicle Technology MSc.

Who should attend

The course is intended to provide engineers concerned with the design and development of large calibre gun systems with an understanding of the systems' technology employed and the discreet design of key components. The course would also benefit to those involved in requirements capture and procurement of large calibre weapon systems.

Speakers

• Stephen Champion
• Dr Clare Knock
• Dr Hugh Goyder
• Dr Aimee Helliker

Location and travel

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) is a Cranfield School based at the Ministry of Defence establishment on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders.

Shrivenham itself lies in the picturesque Vale of the White Horse, close to the M4 motorway which links London and South Wales. It is 7 miles from Swindon, the nearest town, which lies off the M4 at the hub of Britain’s motorway network.

Bath, Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are all within an hour’s drive and London less than two hours away by car.

All visitors must be pre-booked in at reception by the person they are visiting on the campus.

For further location and travel details