Dynamic loads on the roof plate of the wheeled carrier during the firing of a 30 mm cannon

Abstract

On the battlefield, modern vehicles perform a variety of roles. Transportation is one of the most fundamental. Operating in different terrains, including urban areas, means exposing the crew to different hazards. To increase crew protection, passive and active protection systems are used. On the other hand, in addition to protection, support of the infantry in offensive operations is an equally important activity. The most common solution for medium wheeled vehicles is a manned turret. The weapon is a 30 mm cannon. Nowadays, there is a trend towards installing systems that allow such weapons to be operated remotely. This minimises the exposure of highly trained personnel. This paper presents the results of a numerical study of the dynamic loads on the roof-plate structure of a wheeled armoured personnel carrier resulting from the firing of the vehicle's main armament. It includes the values of the strains and stresses in the upper plate structure and the forces transmitted by the brackets connecting the roof plate to the bottom plate, and an assessment of the risk of using such a system on the safety of the vehicle structure and its crew.