Procedure for Testing Powder-Gas Leakage at the Barrel–Breech Joint of a Mortar During Live Fire
Abstract
Purpose. Based on the results of field tests, to substantiate and establish a procedure for detecting the leakage of propellant gases between the barrel and the breech of a mortar during firing.
Method. The study employs empirical (experimental), systems analysis, and comparative analysis as its primary research methods.
Findings. The proposed procedure provides a cost-effective, repeatable, and visually verifiable method for confirming the integrity of the labyrinth-threaded seal between the barrel and the breech of modern mortars. Rupture of the indicator strip or displacement of the marker constitutes direct evidence of propellant gas leakage and provides grounds for a negative conclusion regarding the integrity of the joint. The absence of both indicators confirms the integrity of the joint and provides grounds for a positive conclusion.
Theoretical implications. The proposed procedure complements existing indirect testing approaches, including crusher-gauge measurement of bore pressure and computer vision–based estimation of muzzle velocity, by providing a directly observable indicator of obturation failure. In contrast, these methods detect such defects only indirectly through reductions in bore pressure or muzzle velocity.
Paper type. Empirical and methodological.
Downloads
References
Bondarenko, P. M., & Kosovtsov, V. S. (2024). Analiz syl, shcho stvoriuiut perekydalnyi moment v moment postrilu artyleriiskoi harmaty 155-mm Assegai T6 Mk 1 [Analysis of the forces that create an overturning moment at the moment of firing of the 155-mm Assegai T6 Mk 1 artillery gun]. Scientific Works of State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, 20, 5–11. https://doi.org/10.37701/dndivsovt.20.2024.01 [in Ukrainian]
Borshch, V. V., Verveiko, O. I., & Semyroz, A. O. (2022). Deiaki problemni pytannia iz zabezpechennia yednosti vymiriuvan pid chas vyprobuvan ozbroiennia ta viiskovoi tekhniky [Some problematic issues of ensuring the uniformity of measurements during testing of armament and military equipment]. Scientific Works of State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, 11(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.37701/dndivsovt.11.2022.02 [in Ukrainian]
Borshch, V. V., Verveiko, O. I., Svitenko, M. I., & Semyroz, A. O. (2023). Deiaki osoblyvosti zastosuvannia standartiv NATO shchodo zabezpechennia yednosti vymiriuvan pry vyprobuvanniakh vyrobiv ozbroiennia ta viiskovoi tekhniky [Some features of the application of NATO standards regarding ensuring the uniformity of measurements during testing of armament and military equipment]. Scientific Works of State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, 15(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.37701/dndivsovt.15.2023.04 [in Ukrainian]
Bubenshchykov, R. V., & Bondarenko, S. V. (2023). Matematychna model polotu snariada yak modyfikovana model materialnoi tochky u yavnii formi [The mathematical model of the projectile flight as a modified model of the material point in express form]. Scientific Works of the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine, 2(42), 24–33. [in Ukrainian]
Veklenko, Yu. A., Bardin, O. A., & Rudnyk, M. V. (2019). Vyznachennia koefitsienta zapasu mitsnosti minometnykh stvoliv za dopomohoiu kresherskykh pryladiv [Determination of the strength margin factor of mortar barrels by means of crusher gauges]. Scientific Works of State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, 2, 47–52. https://doi.org/10.37701/dndivsovt.2.2019.07 [in Ukrainian]
Hera, V. Ya., Bahan, A. V., Lavrut, O. O., Snitkov, K. I., & Sivak, O. I. (2025). Metod vyznachennia shvydkosti minometnoho boieprypasu na osnovi kompiuternoho zoru [A method for determining the speed of a mortar projectile based on computer vision]. Military Technical Collection, 32, 9–17. https://doi.org/10.33577/2312-4458.32.2025.9-17 [in Ukrainian]
Hrabchak, V. I., Bondarenko, S. V., & Stetsiv, S. V. (2014). Matematychna model rukhu tsentru mas snariada z hiroskopichnoiu stabilizatsiieiu [Mathematical model of movement of center of shell mass with gyroscopic stabilization]. Military Technical Collection, 2(11), 7–13. [in Ukrainian]
Derevianchuk, A. Y. (2011). Artyleriiska zbroia: Navchalnyi posibnyk [Artillery weapons: A study guide]. Sumy State University. [in Ukrainian]
Droban, O. M., Bondarenko, S. V., Fedor, B. S., Yevdokimov, P. M., & Chumakevych, V. O. (2012). Budova ta ekspluatatsiia 120-mm minometa 2S12: Navchalnyi posibnyk [Design and operation of the 120-mm 2S12 mortar: A study guide]. Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy. [in Ukrainian]
Scientific Research Center of Missile Troops and Artillery. (2025). Dovidnyk z vykorystannia minometnykh postriliv ta minometiv riznykh vyrobnykiv [Reference book on the use of mortar shots and mortars of various manufacturers] (Military Reference Publication SVP 7-(07)274, 3rd ed.). Scientific Research Center of Missile Troops and Artillery; Command of Missile Troops and Artillery of the Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [in Ukrainian]
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. (2019). Instruktsiia z katehoruvannia raketno-artyleriiskoho ozbroiennia [Instruction on categorization of missile and artillery armament] (Order of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine of 04.01.2019 No. 4). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0080-19 [in Ukrainian]
Korytchenko, K. V., Martynenko, V. H., Kasimov, A. O., Kirichenko, O. L., & Prokopenko, Yu. S. (2023). Elektromahnitne utrymannia miny v kanali stvola hazodetonatsiinoho minometa [Electromagnetic retention of a mine in the barrel channel of a gas-detonation mortar]. Military Technical Collection, 29, 44–50. https://doi.org/10.33577/2312-4458.29.2023.44-50 [in Ukrainian]
Naumenko, I. V., Mokrotskyi, M. Yu., & Maistrenko, O. V. (2023). Metodyka vyznachennia mozhlyvoho boiovoho navantazhennia artyleriiskoho pidrozdilu v boiu mekhanizovanoi bryhady [Methodology for determining the possible combat load of an artillery unit in a mechanized brigade battle]. Scientific Works of State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, 18(4), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.37701/dndivsovt.18.2023.10 [in Ukrainian]
U.S. Department of the Army. (2022). Field Manual 23-90: Mortars (Ukrainian translation; Technical Order 11W2-5-13-21). Headquarters, Department of the Army.
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. (2024). Pro zatverdzhennia Instruktsii z orhanizatsii provedennia vyprobuvan zrazkiv ozbroiennia ta viiskovoi tekhniky [On the approval of the Instruction on the organisation of testing of armament and military equipment samples] (Order of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine of 27.08.2024 No. 576; registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 14.10.2024 under No. 1540/42885). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z1540-24 [in Ukrainian]
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2021). Pro zatverdzhennia Poriadku provedennia vyprobuvan ta pryiniattia na ozbroiennia (postachannia) zrazkiv ozbroiennia, viiskovoi tekhniky ta spetsialnoi tekhniky, zasobiv i obladnannia inozemnoho vyrobnytstva [On the approval of the Procedure for conducting tests and adopting for service (supply) samples of armament, military equipment and special equipment, means and equipment of foreign production] (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 17.02.2021 No. 160). Official Gazette of Ukraine, 21. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/160-2021-п [in Ukrainian]
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2020). Pro oboronni zakupivli [On defence procurement] (Law of Ukraine of 17.07.2020 No. 808-IX). Official Gazette of Ukraine, 67, art. 2143. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/808-20 [in Ukrainian]
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (1992). Pro oboronu Ukrainy [On the defence of Ukraine] (Law of Ukraine of 06.12.1991 No. 1932-XII). Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 9, art. 106. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1932-12 [in Ukrainian]
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2018). Pro skhvalennia Stratehii rozvytku oboronno-promyslovoho kompleksu Ukrainy na period do 2028 roku [On the approval of the Strategy for the development of the defence industrial complex of Ukraine for the period up to 2028] (Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 20.06.2018 No. 442-р). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/442-2018-р [in Ukrainian]
Tkachuk, V. M., Velychko, L. D., Voitovych, M. I., & Sorokatyi, M. I. (2022). Vplyv vidkhylennia masy snariada na kinematychni parametry rukhu [The influence of projectile mass deviation on kinematic parameters of motion]. Military Technical Collection, 27, 59–64. https://doi.org/10.33577/2312-4458.27.2022.59-64 [in Ukrainian]
Chopa, D. A., Derevianchuk, A. Y., Moskalenko, D. R., & Ishchenko, V. P. (2023). Virtualizatsiia protsesu pidhotovky minometnoi obsluhy yak elementu rozviduvalno-vohnevoho kompleksu [Virtualization of the process of training a mortar crew as an element of the reconnaissance and fire complex]. Modern Information Technologies in the Sphere of Security and Defence, 48(3), 122–129. https://doi.org/10.33099/2311-7249/2023-48-3-122-129 [in Ukrainian]
Anderson, R. D. (2006). Mortar interior ballistics: Sensitivity studies using IBHVG2 and progress toward a fully two-dimensional, two-phase reactive flow code (Technical Report ARL-TR-3760). U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
Carlucci, D. E., & Jacobson, S. S. (2018). Ballistics: Theory and design of guns and ammunition (3rd ed.). CRC Press / Taylor & Francis Group.
Guermonprez, G., Gaillard, T., Dupays, J., Anthoine, J., & Demarthon, R. (2025). A methodology to simulate interior and intermediate ballistics with dynamic mesh technique and lumped parameter code. Defence Technology, 49, 447–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2025.02.021
Magier, M., & Merda, T. (2016). Drag coefficients for supersonic mortar projectiles. Problems of Mechatronics: Armament, Aviation, Safety Engineering, 7(4), 21–28.
Pautard, M., Chauveau, C., Halter, F., & Coulouarn, C. (2022, June). Modelling of the internal ballistics of mortar including polydisperse gunpowder size [Conference paper]. 51st International Annual Conference of the Fraunhofer ICT, Karlsruhe, Germany. https://hal.science/hal-03714977
NATO Standardization Office. (2019a). STANAG 4107 Ed. 11: Mutual acceptance of government quality assurance and usage of the allied quality assurance publications (AQAP). NSO.
NATO Standardization Office. (2019b). STANAG 4370 Ed. 7: Environmental testing. NSO.
NATO Standardization Office. (2017). STANAG 4704 Ed. 2: NATO requirements for calibration support of test and measurement equipment. NSO.
Sutejo, F. (2024). Ballistics study of mortar weapon technology. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, 45(2), 703–710.
Abstract views: 24 PDF Downloads: 19
Copyright (c) 2026 Валерій Іщенко, Олексій Іщенко, Анатолій Дерев’янчук
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors agree with the following conditions:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication (Download agreement) with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2. Authors have the right to complete individual additional agreements for the non-exclusive spreading of the journal’s published version of the work (for example, to post work in the electronic repository of the institution or to publish it as part of a monograph), with the reference to the first publication of the work in this journal.
3. Journal’s politics allows and encourages the placement on the Internet (for example, in the repositories of institutions, personal websites, SSRN, ResearchGate, MPRA, SSOAR, etc.) manuscript of the work by the authors, before and during the process of viewing it by this journal, because it can lead to a productive research discussion and positively affect the efficiency and dynamics of citing the published work (see The Effect of Open Access).
