COTS Acquisition COTS Acquisition Impact Analysis Lianne Versluis.
M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation
Transcript of M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation
Joshua Semick, US Army ARDEC
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Objectives• Debrief demonstrated performance of
M107 .50 caliber suppressor samples submitted for government bid sample testing.
• Review general shortcomings, positive performance areas, and soldier feedback.
• Observations on suppressor design and affect on demonstrated performance
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Test Lineup• Flash – cross sectional area measured using high speed
photography• Sound – peak SPL recorded using digital oscilloscope at
five (5) positions• Muzzle Blast – ground disturbance area below
suppressor• Recoil – recoil energy (ft-lbs)• Accuracy/Dispersion – five 10 round targets at 500
meters and 1000 meters.• Reliability – 1,000 rounds per candidate, stoppages and
failures were recorded• Limited User Evaluation – Army and Marine Snipers
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Flash (baseline)
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Flash – Candidate Suppressor
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Flash – Candidate Suppressor
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Peak Sound Pressure Level vs. Location
0
20
40
60
80
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140
160
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shooter downrange (100m) left (5m) behind (5m) back-left (5m)
Location
dB
baselinemin reductionmax reduction
140 dB threshold for hearing protection
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Reliability• Overpowering changed the dynamics of
the “well tuned” M107 baseline system increasing operating group velocities and stresses
• Broken extractors and cracked charging handles were common
• Frequent stoppages (FFD, FXT) experienced during TT and by Soldiers during LUE
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
User Evaluation Feedback• Recoil level in excess
of 45 ft-lbs reflected negatively
• Blowback• Muzzle heavy
situations reported above 5 lbs
• Quick attach/detach a must
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Recoil Energy
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Baseline A B C D E F G H I
Candidate
ft-lb
s
No Shoulder Firing Allowed Recoil above
45 ft-lbs reflected negatively in user feedback
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Shot Sequence1. 2.
3. 4.
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Suppressor Weight
0
1
2
3
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8
A B C D E F G H I
Candidate
Wei
ght (
lbs
Weights above 5 lbs reflected negatively in user feedback
ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War
Observations• Drastic increases in recoil energy produced an
overpowering situation resulting in stoppages and premature component failures.
• Expansion tank designs generally produced more blowback than designs that shifted sound frequency outside of the audible frequency range.
• Designs that shifted sound frequency produced excessive recoil energy levels.