RB 55 (BGM-71 TOW) –booster motor test

Authors:

  • Kjell Lindersson
  • Marja-Liisa Pettersson
  • Isak Sommarström

Publish date: 2012-02-02

Report number: FOI-R--3391--SE

Pages: 17

Written in: English

Keywords:

  • booster motor
  • RB 55
  • propellant status
  • functional testing

Abstract

The status of five booster motors of RB 55 (BGM-71 TOW) has been tested. Two motors have been subjected to functional testing while the remaining three have been dismantled to analyse the propellant stability. The propellant is nitrocelluse based and the stability has been analysed by heat flow calorimetry (HFC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All of the propellant samples analysed are considered as stable for at least four more years. No visible defects were found in any of the motors. The two booster motors subjected to functional testing were conditioned to -32°C and 63°C respectively prior to firing. Igniters from three of the booster motors were subjected to functional testing in cold condition (-32°C) and showed no signs of defects.