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Abstract
Accurately modeling the flight path to resemble the actual flight dynamics of a given projectile enables a shooter to engage targets at distances that extend into the transonic and subsonic flight regions. This requires the collection of velocity measurements of the actual projectile at several points along the flight path. Current methods for collecting velocity measurements have accuracy and consistency limitations or become cost prohibitive. The electric field sensors evaluated in this thesis seek to provide a highly accurate cost effective means of collecting velocity readings at all ranges and flight regions. The electric field sensors detect the static charge of the projectile as it passes the sensor location. To gather velocity measurements two sensors are placed in a linear array with a measured distance between them and projectile are fired over the sensor detection plates. The detections appear as voltage spikes that are captured using a trigger on the data acquisition device. The time difference between the peaks of detection provide an accurate velocity measurement that is within 2% of optical chronograph referenced values for the same projectile firing event. The sensors used for testing started to develop issues in consistently detecting and producing voltage peaks that could be used for velocity measurements. The conclusion was reached that a portion of the internal circuitry was gathering and holding a charge, reducing the sensors ability to detect passing projectiles. To continue testing, a reconfiguring of the sensors toward a prior embodiment is recommended.