Low-vulnerability ammunition

Nitramine-nitrates of general structure (133) are known as NENAs and are conveniently prepared from the nitrative cleavage of A-alkylaziridines " with dinitrogen pentoxide or from the direct nitration of the corresponding aminoalcohols. These compounds find use as energetic plastisizers in explosive and propellant formulations Bu-NENA (R = n-Bu) is a component of some LOVA (low vulnerability ammunition) propellants. ... 

The reaction of aziridines and azetidine heterocycles with dinitrogen pentoxide in chlorinated solvents yields 1,2-nitramine nitrates and 1,3-nitramine nitrates respectively. In most cases yields are good to excellent, but, reactions are not as general as with the oxygen heterocycles the outcome of reactions is heavily dependent on the nature of the substituent on the exocyclic nitrogen. Some of the products from these reactions find use as melt-castable explosives i.e. Tris-X (46) and energetic plasticizers e.g. Bu-NENA (48) the latter is a component of some LOVA (low vulnerability ammunition) propellant formulations. 

These properties of FOX-7 and FOX-12 suggest that they are very promising candidates for IM and are likely replacement of RDX as warhead fillings. These explosives are also potential candidates for low-vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellants. It has been reported that FOX-12-based propellants are highly resistant to shaped charge attack. 

In order to reduce this risk, low vulnerability ammunition (popularly known by the acronym LOVA) propellants are attractive alternatives for conventional gun propellants. The incorporation of materials possessing higher ignition temperatures into propellant formulations while maintaining superior energetics, is key to the development of LOVA/insensitive propellants [17, 18]. This is usually done by a judicious combination of energetic oxidizers and suitable binders which are described in the subsequent paragraphs. 

The data reported in the literature suggests that the replacement of DEP by Bu-NENA in the Dense NC/NG+ DEP/AP/AI/RDX-based composite modified double-base (CMDB) propellants results in increase in the burn rate by 18-20% at 70 kg cm pressure. The calorimetric value and percentage elongation also increase significantly. Further, thermal stability and sensitivity of such propellants are comparable with DEP-based CMDB propellants [184]. Bu-NENA is also a component of low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellants [185, 186]. The introduction of butyl-NENA into SB, DB and gun propellants results in improvement of their mechanical properties and energetics and reduction in their sensitivity [187]. 

Solid propellant compositions which have been previously discussed all sulfer from the possibility of accidental initiation from fire, impact, electric spark, etc. Therefore, attention has turned to the development of insensitive munitions with particular emphasis on low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA). LOVA propellants contain RDX or HMX, an inert polymeric binder and a plasticizer. These composite propellants are less vulnerable to initiation than nitrocellulose-based propellants. 

Since 1970, in addition to the various well-known -> Gun Powders, LOVA gun propellants have been developed and used in the production of propellants. The acronym LOVA stands for (LOw Vulnerability Ammunition) which has come to represent a type of gun propellant. 

An abbreviation for low-vulnerability ammunition. This term is descriptive of the trend towards choosing substances for both explosive and propellant charges which are as intensive as possible even if losses in effectivity have to be accepted. The development of -> Shaped Charges has made it possible to hit stored ammunition with simple tactical weapons even behind armoured walls. 

Trinitroazetidine s performance data as an explosive lies between -> Hexogen and -> Octogen, but it is considerably less sensitive and therefore attractive for - LOVA (Low Vulnerability Ammunition) applications. 

For propellant charges the insensitivity is also playing an increasingly important role. Since approximately 1970 propellant charges have been developed and used under the title LOVA (low-vulnerability ammunition). Under bullet impact, shaped charge impact or fire they respond with fire in the worst case scenario, but not in deflagration and definitely not in detonation. As energetic fillers mainly RDX... 

---