411-External Ballistics Primer for Engineers - Part II: Test Equipment

By: Terry A. Willemin, P.E.

Preview Course Read/Print Test Author's Page

Having trouble opening course PDF documents?

Course Objective

This course was written to introduce engineers of any discipline to the basics of external ballistics. The engineer will gain a general understanding of many of the factors, effects and forces which affect the flight path of a projectile in unpowered flight.

Course Description

411-External Ballistics Primer for Engineers - Part II: Test Equipment

In part one of this external ballistics course several factors were introduced which affect the flight of a ballistic projectile. Some basic equations were presented that are useful to a great many engineers outside of ballistics for making approximations with a fair bit of accuracy. Several flow regimes that a ballistic projectile may pass through were also treated, though there were cases that were omitted for either lack of space or complexity. Fast forward to part deux. Projectiles launched from earth generally move through air for most or all of their flight, which means understanding the properties of that air is very important. Besides air there are other flightpath modifiers including Coriolis’ effects, so many times it is important to know the direction the projectile is headed in and its speed. The list of measurement equipment used in relation to external ballistics research is extensive, however there are tools which may be more noteworthy or common than others. The balance of this part of the full course delivers descriptions and general information of some of the equipment used to measure atmospheric air pressure, humidity, windspeed, wind direction, projectile speed and direction. There are also a few characteristic comparisons in table form appended to a handful of the sections.

The tools that follow are used throughout much of engineering and research rather than being confined to external ballistics, so it is likely you have used at least some of them in relation to your own work.

Questions about this course? Email the Author: willemta@vt.edu

Star (3)
Star (1)
Star(0)
Star (0)
Star (0)

(4.8) 4 Reviews

Review of: External Ballistics Primer for Engineers

Tom Beck

06/20/2024

Heck of a lot of fun. I recommend for a review of physics/dynamics.

Was this helpful?

Review of: External Ballistics Primer for Engineers

Joseph S Johnson

03/04/2023

Verified Buyer

Interesting / good course

Was this helpful?

Review of: External Ballistics Primer for Engineers

Steven Faseler, PE

09/11/2021

Verified Buyer

Not really what I was expecting, but I did learn a few things. Question 25 - I calculate . . . There is a unit conversion error in the Ballistic Pendulum spreadsheet. If I convert the 3 ft length to meters and then solve the problem I get the correct answer.

Portions of the reviewers comments have been removed because they discuss the answers to test questions

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

Was this helpful?

Review of: External Ballistics Primer for Engineers

James Maddrey

08/28/2021

The software is a nice touch. I had to work hard to get the units correct. A table of constants (g, R,&etc) at the end of the text would be very helpful. This course is certainly worth 4 hours.

Was this helpful?

SAVE 20%

Order the Complete Set of 2 Courses for $126.00!

Click Here to Order & Save

You Must Use This Button to Get The Savings

This Course Includes FREE Software

Course Code: 100294-02

Course PDH Hours: 4

Engineering Course Approvals

This course is accepted for engineering continuing education credit in all US states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces.
Ohio rules allow only 6-hours of unsupervised online courses such as this course per license renewal period
Kansas rules allow only 5-hours of self-study courses such as this course per license renewal period

About Course Approvals

Other Courses by Terry A. Willemin, P.E.

Course Title Rating Hours Price

402-External Ballistics Primer for Engineers - Part I: Aerodynamics & Projectile Motion

(4.7) 9 Reviews

$67.50

Local Copy of Course Preview