SwRI: Small Arms Testing, Ballistics Range, Explosives Range, Small Arms Test Facility

	Universal gun system and various test rounds

At the Ballistics and Explosives Range and  Small Arms Test Facility operated by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), engineering dynamics experts are noted for their ability to effectively combine experimentation and numerical simulations to provide clients with answers and solutions to problems in penetration and armor mechanics.

The Small Arms Test Facility houses:

• Control / instrumentation room

• Gun room

• Three target rooms

The target rooms are located so targets can be positioned approximately 20 feet, 50 feet, and 150 feet from the gun. Adjustable target fixtures are available to provide quick vertical and horizontal adjustments of the target position.

Many different types of small arms projects have been conducted during the past 20 years, from complex programs involving extensive experimentation, materials evaluation, and computations to simple, quickly executed projects that require only ballistics testing.

Small Arms Testing Capabilities

• Universal gun system (receiver and barrels) fabricated to SAAMI / ANSI specifications
  Barrels including .22 long-rifle, .380 ACP, 9-mm Luger, 40 S&W, .357 Magnum, 7.62-mm NATO, and .30-06 Springfield

• Numerous handguns (pistols) and rifles of various calibers

• All standard cartridge reloading equipment

• High-speed digital video imaging of impacts up to 100 million frames per second

• Nicolet Multipro© high-speed data acquisition up to 200 MHz

• Laser-based gun alignment system

• Test fixture fabrication, machine shop, and welding

• Institute ISO-compliant QA

• Computational impact simulations

• Generation and storage of classified documents, materials, and targets

Ultra-high-speed image of a 7.62-mm bullet impacting a ceramic tile, showing formation and growth of cracks including the fracture conoid

Side and back views of the deformation of a ballistic fabric after impact (the grid structure on the fabric is used to assist in deformation-time measurements)

Small Arms Test Experience

• Ultra-lightweight body armor design and development—DARPA / US Army Natick

• Modeling and testing of fabrics and ceramic-faced armor—US Army Natick

• Enhanced concealed armor: analysis, modifications, and testing—U.S. Secret Service

• Evaluation and development of projectiles and/or armor systems—DOD and private industry

• Shooting of various protective structures such as windows and doors—Commercial clients

Small Arms Test Facility

• Indoor ballistics range

• Fully equipped instrumentation trailer

• Outdoor test areas up to 1,000 yards

Ballistics and Explosives Range

SwRI operates and maintains the Ballistics and Explosives Range on the San Antonio campus. This 10-acre facility permits a wide variety of experimental programs to be conducted, including:

• Explosive loading

• Hazards evaluation and mitigation

• Foreign object damage

• Ballistic impact

• Armor testing

• Hypervelocity impact

SwRI technicians provide expert support for handling explosives, firing gas and powder guns, and collecting high-rate electronic data. A complement of equipment, including an on-site machine shop, digital data acquisition and transient recorders, high-speed imaging equipment, and data processors, supports range activities.

For more information about small arms testing capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Donald J. Grosch at dgrosch@swri.org or (210) 522-3176.