Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com PREFACE The science of ballistics involves the study of the motion of projectiles as a particular branch of applied mechanics and related fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. It in- cludes, within its scope, the natural division of this science into the subjects of interior ballistics, the motion of a projectile or missile while under the influence of a gun or thrust propulsion device; exterior ballistics, the projectile or missile in flight; and terminal ballistics, its effectiveness in de- feating a target.
With each successive performance dependent on that preceding, the overall bal- listic performance of any missile or projectile must consist of reliable and reproducible actions in each of these phases despite conflicting design requirements in certain areas. Ballistics produces a rational foundation for the design and development of armament materiel. Therefore, a concept of the basis for the design of weapons or development of ammunition cannot be realized without a basic understanding of this science.
The following chapters present informa- tion about each phase of ballistics to the extent believed necessary to pursue a study of the design and engineering analysis of components of weapon systems which satisfy the basic requirements of launch, flight, and terminal effects. Such problems are presented in Part 3 (Weapon Systems and Components) of this text.