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Firing recoilless weapons from enclosures.
1U.S. Army Human Engineering Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5001.
Scandinavian Audiology. Supplementum
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Firing recoilless weapons from enclosed spaces can cause structural damage and hearing loss. However, these tests showed no structural collapse or non-auditory tissue damage, and hearing protection significantly reduced permanent hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Military Engineering
- Acoustics
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Recoilless weapons generate significant rearward energy, posing risks when fired from within structures.
- Concerns include acoustic hazards and potential structural damage from flying debris or collapse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the hazards of firing recoilless weapons from enclosed spaces.
- To assess structural integrity and physiological effects on personnel and animals.
Main Methods:
- Remotely fired 24 rounds from various recoilless weapons (90 mm, LAW, TOW, DRAGON) in diverse structures.
- Monitored pressure, structural response, and physiological data from goats and cats.
Main Results:
- Peak pressures reached 178-189 dB with durations of 28-376 msec.
- Structural damage occurred, but no collapse; no non-auditory tissue damage was observed.
- Goats experienced eardrum rupture; unprotected cats had permanent hearing loss, while protected cats had minimal loss.
Conclusions:
- Firing recoilless weapons in enclosures presents acoustic and structural risks, but risks of collapse and non-auditory injury are low.
- Hearing protection is crucial to prevent permanent hearing loss in personnel exposed to these conditions.