Arnold E.

"The Theory of High Speed Guns" is an influential scientific monograph written by Arnold E. Seigel (often spelled Seigel instead of Siegel), published in May 1965 as AGARDograph 91 by the NATO Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD). The work focuses entirely on the gas dynamics of hypervelocity guns (such as light-gas guns). This technology uses low-molecular-weight gases (such as hydrogen or helium) at high temperatures to accelerate projectiles to extreme speeds (up to about 7–11 km/s). This exceeds the limits of conventional gunpowder. Although the handbook covers fundamental physics and mathematics for indoor projectile testing, the theory is directly linked to Cold War developments in atomic missiles (ICBMs) through two crucial applications: 1. Simulation of atmospheric re-entry: To understand what happens when the nuclear warhead (re-entry vehicle) of an intercontinental ballistic missile enters Earth's atmosphere at hypervelocity (extremely high speed), test tracks were built (aeroballistic ranges). Techniques from Seigel's book were used to fire scale models and study the extreme heat and shock waves. 2. Research into impact physics: The high-speed guns were used to test how materials respond to hypervelocity impacts. This was essential for both designing armor against incoming missiles and for the structural integrity of nuclear weapons themselves upon impact or intercept. Present in good condition with some library marks, withdrawn from the library of the Ministry of Defense in 2015.

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