Launchers used in hypervelocity range and track facilities subject tes t models and sabots to severe loads Structural failures waste valuable facility time, compromise test objectives, and can damage the barre l. A model/sabot test device is proposed which uses a simple gas gun t o gently accelerate a backwards-facing full-scale model and then impact it against a crush material while still inside the barrel. The honeycomb or porous metal crush material can be tailored to provide a constant or variable deceleration profile. Three of the four failure-caus ing launch loads are simulated: base pressure, acceleration, and jerk. Barrel interactions are also simulated. Balloting loads may be tested separately. Loading duration is adequate for quasi-steady structural response and all forms of damage. This device lends itself to convenient instrumentation to measure the acceleration profile and model response, and it enables post-test model examination. Phase I include s firming-up of the performance requirements, conceptual design, fabrication and demonstration of a subscale test fixture, and preliminary design of the full-scale test device.
