Experimental Investigation of Supercavitating Underwater Ballistic Projectile

The ballistic projectile traveling underwater, generally, exhibits severe instability, even if the conventional gyro stability criteria are satisfied. Therefore GSRC has started the research project on supercavitating underwater ballistic projectile, to establish the design method for the simple supercavitating projectile, by gaining the understanding the physics of supercavitation, under the restriction of the compatibility with the conventional gun without special modification. The design method of the supercavitating underwater projectiles was proposed and examined the validity and limitations by the firing tests. The designed projectiles were tested in small scale firing trial into water tank, to validate design method and down select projectiles. The down selected supercavitating projectiles (nose shape, nose diameter and ogive shape) travelled straight down range through the water in firing trial.