Electrical ignition?

[Dave L.]

Does anyone know how it's done? I mean, in systems like the 20x102mm Vulcan and such, where pressures are really high.

Could someone shed some light on this for me?

- Dave.

 

[TheIndifferent1]

I'm only guessing, but there is likely a positive and negative terminal on the casing, and in or around the primer there is a gap for the spark to arc, thus igniting it. Think of a miniature sparkplug. Again, just my guess

 

[Dave L.]

That's what I sort of figured, only I'm not exactly sure how to do it, seeing as it could escape through the brass and go through the chamber and barrel, and probably back into the user...

- Dave.

 

[recce]

Tank rounds are fired electrically as well. The base has what looks like a normal primer, no -/+ terminals. The firing needle looks like a fring pin and a charge goes through it to the "primer".

It doesn't need a huge charge to set off the round (forget the exact voltage) but it does not travel through the vehicle, which is good considering a fully loaded Leo C2 holds 40 rounds of ammo.

 

[NavyShooter]

Don't recall 100%, but I do know that the CIWS firing voltage is 28 VDC

NS

 

[Canuck223]

The gun is grounded. The "firing pin" is an electrode.

 

[Dave L.]

Alright, sounds simple enough. What should I use as the primer? Nichrome wire?

- Dave.