ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGY FACILITY
PICATINNY ARSENAL, NEW JERSEY 07806-5000
COMMERCIAL: (973) 724-4ATF DSN: 880-4ATF
FAX (973) 724-2204 E-MAIL atf-work@pica.army.mil
U.S. ARMY EVALUATION REPORT
Title: POLYSHOK Ammunition Evaluation, ATF Proj No. 03-042
Sponsor: SOCOM
Test Organization: Armament Technology Facility (ATF), Picatinny Arsenal
NJ
Dates: l-4Apr03
References:
A. POLYSHOK Operations Manual
B. POLYSHOK Tactical Demo Video
PURPOSE
The purpose of this evaluation was to gather quantitative and
qualitative data regarding the performance of the POLYSHOK ammunition.
This report of findings will provide SOCOM with a basis for assessing the
applicability of this type of ammunition to military special operations.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this evaluation was to validate the scenarios
presented during the
Tactical Demo Video and to confirm technical specifications provided by
the
manufacturer.
OUTLINE
The Tactical Demo Video documented the effects of the POLYSHOK
ammunition when engaging the following targets at a distance of 30 feet:
a. Firewall.
b. A one gallon water jug.
c. 16 Gauge steel plate.
d. Sheetrock interior wall.
e. Automobile windshield.
f. Level II Body Armor.
g. A one gallon water jug with a second water jug at 3 feet shielded by
denim cloth.
In applications b-e, a 1/2 inch plywood panel was placed immediately
behind the initial target to demonstrate lethality against a secondary
target. For all applications, a safety glass backstop was located 10 feet
behind the initial target in order to demonstrate the potential for
collateral damage.
The evaluation conducted at the ATF on 1-4 Apr 03 was designed re-enact
the tactical
scenarios performed in the manufacturer's video. The following highlights
some key
modifications to the evaluation plan:
a. A backstop constructed of plywood, polystyrene insulating foam
covered by
target paper was substituted in place of the safety glass in order to
provide a more
subjective indication of the type and lethality of projectiles traveling
beyond the
intended target.
b. Where possible, some applications were duplicated, substituting a
one gallon
water jug for the 1/2 inch plywood panel in order to confirm potential
lethality on a
secondary target.
c. Ammunition was tested against 20,16 and 13 Gauge steel plates rather
than just
against 16 Gauge as per the video.
d. A military issue, hard ballistic insert (7.62 mm M-80 ball
protection) and military
fragmentation jacket (Interceptor OTV with Kevlar soft ballistic inserts)
were used to
demonstrate the effect of the ammunition against body armor. In addition,
the body
armor was placed against ballistic clay to measure the trauma that would
be
transferred to a human body protected by the armor. For this clay, the
depth of
penetration considered to be lethal is 1.73 inch.
e. Ammunition was also used against a solid wood core, exterior metal
and
automobile doors. The ammunition was also evaluated for its effectiveness
when
used for door breaching (lock and hinge).
High speed and real time video as well as digital photography were used
to document the findings of this evaluation. Highlights of the data
collected are included in the following report and additional footage is
also available if required.
The shotgun used for this entire evaluation was a Mossberg 500 with an
18 1/2 inch
cylinder bore barrel. This was a new weapon that had only been fired
previously by the manufacturer to test for functionality.
Representatives from POLYSHOK, Mr. Jim Middleton (Vice-President) and
Mr. Charles
Glover, were present from 1-3 Apr 03 to observe the evaluation and provide
technical feedback as requested.
TECHNICAL DATA
The POLYSHOK Operations Manual provides technical data regarding this
ammunition
and the function and performance as recorded by the manufacturer. As
described in this manual, the POLYSHOK ammunition is composed of three
main components: the
projectile body containing an actuator and a core of spherical lead
particles. Weights
were measured for five samples and averaged, producing the following data:
a. Entire shell. 44.570 g.
b. Projectile body. 3.633 g.
c. Actuator. 1.136g.
d. Lead particles. 29.807 g.
Velocity. The velocity of the projectile was measured as it exited the
muzzle of the
shotgun barrel. Calculations were made using data gathered by the
high-speed video of three projectiles. From this data the average velocity
was calculated as 1023 feet per second compared with 1045 feet per second
that was advertised by the manufacturer (fired from 18 inch barrel, and
measured 10 feet from the muzzle). Specific data and calculations are
included in the table at Annex A.
TACTICAL SCENARIOS
Firewall. As per the Tactical Demo Video, two panels of 5/8 inch
sheetrock were
secured on each side of a standard 2x4 inch stud (actual dimensions of 1
1/2 x 3 1/2
inches). POLYSHOK penetrated all four panels but caused minimal damage to
backstop. Three rounds were fired and the most significant damage
caused on the backstop was due to the projectile body, actuator and some
shrapnel from the sheetrock. Projectiles had a clean entry into the
sheetrock and created a 2 inch diameter hole as they exited the far side.
Steel Plate. POLYSHOK ammunition was tested against 0.034 inch (20
gauge), 0.066
inch (16 gauge) and 0.086 inch (13 gauge) steel plate. POLYSHOK penetrated
both 20
and 16 gauge steel plate and continued to penetrate the 1/2 inch plywood
target placed on the far side of a standard 2x4 inch stud. POLYSHOK failed
on the initial attempt to penetrate 13 Gauge metal with the carrier and
actuator remaining embedded in the metal. However, even without
fully penetrating the steel plate, a significant amount of energy was
still transferred to the plywood target. This is evident in the flexing of
the plywood target seen on high-speed video. Following the first attempt,
additional clamps were used to secure plywood target, and the subsequent
two attempts successfully penetrated the target even though most of energy
was absorbed during impact with steel plate. A very small quantity of lead
projectiles impacted on the backstop, causing minimal damage. From
this application it was concluded that 12 gauge steel plate should be
considered at
the upper limit of penetration for this ammunition at 13 feet.
Water Jug. A one gallon water jug was used as the primary target and
secured to the
target stand. On the first shot, the projectiles penetrated through the
jug but lead particles did not significantly impact on the backstop at 10
feet. The high speed video data graphically illustrates the energy
transferred as the projectiles travel through the fluid contained by the
jug. A concentrated water stream is created which travels in both
directions along the same plane as the trajectory of the projectiles.
There is also a delayed effect where the jug is violently ripped from the
target stand. For the next application, a second water jug was placed
immediately behind the first and both were secured to the target stand.
The projectiles traveled through the first jug, entered into the second
but did not have sufficient force to penetrate the back wall. Accordingly,
there was no damage recorded on the backstop at 10 feet.
Interior wall. For this application, one panel of 1/2 inch sheetrock
was secured on either side of a standard 2x4 inch stud. A 1/2 inch plywood
panel was also placed 2 inches behind the wall to represent a human target
at this distance. Penetration of lead projectiles through the initial
target indicates that the shot would be lethal to a human standing 2 feet
behind the wall. Analysis of the high-speed video indicates that there was
minimal deflection of lead projectiles. A significant amount of lead
projectiles did impact onto the backstop at 10 feet however the damage
caused was minimal.
Automobile Windshield. A standard automobile windshield was mounted at
a 45° angle and a plywood panel was placed 2 feet behind the point of
impact to represent a driver or passenger in the front seat of a vehicle.
The backstop was located 6 feet behind the plywood target to represent a
passenger in the rear seat of a vehicle. High-speed video analysis
illustrates that there was minimal deflection in the trajectory of the
projectiles as they passed through windshield. The projectiles then
impacted with sufficient force to penetrate the plywood target at 2 feet.
Additional applications were fired at various points on the windshield and
the procedure was repeated using a one gallon water jug in place of the
plywood target. In this scenario, the projectiles penetrated into the jug
but did not exit through the rear. In all applications, there was minimal
effect on the backstop.
Wood (Solid Core) Door. A six-panel colonial style pre-hung solid pine
door was used
for this portion of the evaluation. The effects of the POLYSHOK ammunition
varied
depending on the point of impact on the door. For all application, a 1/2
inch plywood panel was used to represent a secondary target behind the
door. Panels provided minimal resistance and projectiles penetrated easily
through plywood target. The upper cross beam provided more resistance but
projectiles were still able to penetrate the door and produce a lethal
effect on the plywood target. Only one of the three shots fired at middle
beam penetrated the door with lethal effect. Ammunition proved to be very
effective when used in a door breaching capacity. One accurately placed
shot at a stand-off distance of 6 inches completely disengaged the locking
mechanism. Additionally, the complete hinge assembly was removed with one
shot when fired at a stand-off of 6 inches through the door.
Metal Door. The effect of POLYSHOK was consistent regardless of the point
of impact
when used against a 22 gauge pre-hung metal storm door. Projectiles
produced a lethal effect on both 1/2 inch plywood and a one gallon water
jug when placed 2 feet behind point of impact on door. Projectiles
penetrated through a simulated interior wall (two, 1/2 inch panels of
sheetrock on either side of a stud). As with the wood door, the POLYSHOK
was used effectively to defeat the locking mechanism on the metal
door. The ammunition was not as effective when used against the
hinge assembly and would likely require a second shot to completely
disable each hinge.
Automobile Door. For this portion of the evaluation, a door from a 1986
Dodge Ram
Van was used to represent a standard automobile door. A 1/2 inch plywood
target panel was placed 2 feet beyond the far side of the door to
represent a driver of the vehicle. The projectiles penetrated the outside
of the door but did not completely penetrate through the interior panel.
Points where interior door mechanisms were present showed increased
resistance to the POLYSHOK ammunition. Multiple shots were fired at
various points on the door but in all of these the lethal effect could not
be guaranteed beyond the door.
Body Armour. A hard ballistic insert was placed against ballistic clay
to measure effect of ammunition. Due to curvature of insert, clay was
molded to eliminate the stand-off distance at point of impact. One shot
was fired at the center of the insert. The actuator and projectile body
was found embedded in the insert but none of the lead projectiles
completely exited through the back of the panel. Regardless, the energy
transferred during the impact caused a depression in the clay the measured
3.880 inches in diameter and continued to a maximum depth of 1.074 inches.
Therefore the injuries sustained by a human would be considered serious
but not lethal.
Fragmentation Jacket. A standard military issue Fragmentation Jacket
was hung so that the inside of the front of the jacket made direct contact
with the ballistic clay. Shots were fired at various points on jacket to
measure the potential effect on a human. Projectiles did not penetrate
through the soft ballistic inserts but a significant amount of trauma was
still transferred to the clay. Depressions were measured as follows:
a. Lower left panel: 3.155 x 1.762 inches.
b. Upper left panel: 3.721 x 1.975 inches.
c. Middle panel: 3.775 x 1.141 inches.
d. Upper right panel: 3.137 x 1.206 inches
From this data, the shots fired at the lower and upper left panels would
be considered lethal. One shot was also fired directly into ballistic
clay, creating a cavity that measured a depth of 2.655 inches and 4.175
inches in diameter.
SUMMARY
In applications where plywood target was used to measure secondary
lethality, the most serious damage recorded by the backstop was a result
of splinters from the plywood. In numerous applications, the plastic
carrier body embedded in the foam however the lead projectiles penetrated
just beneath the surface or did not penetrate at all.
Plywood provided some indication of lethality, however ballistic clay
or a gel blocks
would have been incorporated to give much clearer indication of the
effectiveness of the test ammunition. Due to cost and availability of
resources, this type of evaluation could not be conducted. Regardless, the
objective of the evaluation was to validate the data presented by
POLYSHOK.
This evaluation was not exhaustive and variables were kept standard
throughout as much as possible. The observations from this evaluation
validated the tactical demonstration provided by the manufacturer of
POLYSHOK in the video provided.
[ Up ]
