🗊Презентация Extreme Dust Test

Extreme Dust Test

Purpose of Test Objective: Provide information to TRADOC on the reliability performance in severe dust conditions of various 5.56 mm carbine designs for use in future requirements generation. Specifically, determine the reliability of weapons within their service life that receive a minimal maintenance regimen in severe dust conditions. Engineering test originally designed to detect minor differences in lubricant performance. Extreme nature of test (number of rounds and minimal maintenance in severe dust environment) is not representative of a weapon’s realistic experience in an operational environment. Applicability: This test did not address… Reliability in typical operational conditions Reliability in harsh environments other than severe dust Weapon parts service life (although some insights can be made) Life cycle maintenance costs Any other aspects of weapon effectiveness, suitability, or survivability other than reliability performance in severe dust conditions

Test Context Extreme dust test is a technical test NOT an operational test Laboratory environment Extreme conditions Systems pushed to technical limits Control of variables During extreme dust test each weapon: Exposed to 25 hrs of dusting Fired 6000 rds (equivalent of ~29 basic loads) and life of weapon 50 x 120 rd cycles Wipe and lube every 600 rds Full cleaning and lube every 1200 rds

Carbine Extreme Dust Test

5.56mm Carbine Dust Test Failure Mode and Reliability Summary – Weapon Only

Test Results

Impact of Cleaning on Reliability

Other Observations All weapons exceeded their headspace limit by end of test. This condition caused ruptured cartridge cases to occur on several weapons towards the end of test.

Dispersion Patterns

What We Know All weapon types performed very well during this extreme dust test Each weapons type experienced ~1% or less stoppages of total rounds fired Cleaning and heavy lubrication resulted in fewer stoppages for all weapons All weapons exhibited significant wear that rendered them unsafe for firing beyond 6000 rounds without replacement of barrel and/or bolt. Significant difference between EDT II and EDT III in results for M4 296 stoppages (EDT II) vs 863 stoppages (EDT III) This indicates that test protocol may not be repeatable Interaction of technical variables not fully understood at this point in time Data continues to be analyzed Are test results repeatable? Can the data inform development of future requirement that is testable? Does data suggest areas to improve design? What is the state of the art and maximum possible technical performance envelope?

Operational Context Extreme Dust Test does not incorporate typical Soldier use or replicate operational conditions Soldiers clean and lubricate their weapons much more frequently than the test protocol Soldiers normally carry 1 x basic load = 210 rounds in 7 aluminum magazines (~7 lbs) 2 x basic load = 420 rounds in 14 aluminum magazines (~14 lbs) Soldiers expend less than one basic load in a typical engagement

Voice of the Soldier 2607 soldiers surveyed by Center of Naval Analysis; 917 assigned the M4 and used it in combat Soldier confidence: 816, or 89%, reported overall satisfaction with the M4 734, or 80%, reported confidence that the M4 will fire without malfunction in combat 761, or 83%, reported confidence that the M4 will not suffer major breakage or failure that necessitates repair before further use. Stoppages: 743, or 81%, of Soldiers assigned the M4 did not experience a stoppage while engaging the enemy. 74, or 19%, of Soldiers assigned the M4 did experience a stoppage while engaging the enemy. 143, or 16%, of Soldiers who experienced a stoppage reported a small impact to their ability to engage the enemy after performing immediate or remedial action to clear the stoppage. 31, or 3%, of Soldiers who experienced a stoppage reported an inability to engage the enemy during a significant portion or the entire firefight after performing immediate or remedial action to clear the stoppage. 12, or 1%, of Soldiers indicated the M4 should be replaced.

Way Ahead Complete the full data analysis and provide the results to TRADOC to inform the development of any future requirement Determine repeatability of test results and study variables for understanding Continue to support the Army with the M4 Carbine and use test results to improve the current force carbine where possible (the next ECP will be # 396) Compete M4 design in 2009 or conduct a performance based competition if developed technical performance requirements differ significantly from existing requirements

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