Vibration of the weapon system on an unmanned ground vehicle during movement

Keywords: unmanned ground vehicle, weapon system, stabilization, vibration analysis

Abstract


Introduction/purpose: The article presents a mathematical model of the vibration of a weapon mount on a small unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with a total weight of up to 70 kg, including the weapon.  The design of these small vehicles is similar to that of larger combat vehicles: a mount is placed on a wheeled or tracked chassis, allowing the weapon to be elevated and azimuthally adjusted, and if it allows firing while moving, the angular position of the barrel is affected by chassis vibration and should be stabilized. The vibration of the chassis and parts of the weapon mount is not desirable, and the results of vibration simulation allow for the design of a solution that will eliminate it.

Methods: A system of differential equations describing the vibrations of the weapon system and a system of equations describing the motion of the vehicle over terrain were created. Subsequently, the vibrations were simulated in Matlab-Simulink software. Further testing was carried out to measure the deviation of the camera axis from the center of the target. The results of the experiment were compared with the results of the simulation.

Results: The research results indicate that the vibration of the weapon system on unmanned ground vehicles depends on many factors, such as the road surface profile, tire properties, suspension system, and overall dimensions, layout, and weight of components. The experimental results of camera stability measurements during target tracking correspond to the simulation results in Matlab-Simulink software.

Conclusion: The system of mathematical differential equations of an unmanned ground vehicle, together with the road profile model, describes the factors affecting the vibration of the weapon system during vehicle movement. Mathematical models allow for parameter changes and thus enable simulation of changes in the angular position of the barrel for other input conditions.

Author Biographies

Bui Viet Dung, University of Defence

PhD student has worked in the scientific field of ballistics and ammunition for many years at the Vietnam Defence. He is the author of several scientific publications in the field of weapons and ammunition.

Martin Macko, University of Defence Brno

Professor Martin Macko is a university professor at the University of Defence in the Czech Republic and a respected expert in the field of mechanical engineering, specializing in weapons, ammunition and ballistics. He is the author of several textbooks, patents and scientific articles in the field of Weapons and Ammunition. He is well known for the development of measuring instruments for military technology and also for the field of forensic science. He is a university professor for more than 30 years, and has supervised PhD students from both the Czech Republic and abroad in their scientific work. He is a successful researcher of projects in weapon systems. In the past, he acted as Dean of the Faculty of Military Technology and also held the position of Vice-Rector for Scientific Activities.

Dang Ba Ngoc, University of Defence Brno

PhD student Dang Ba Ngoc is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Weapons and Ammunition, Faculty of Military Technology, University of Defence. PhD student Dang Ba Ngoc is a researcher at the Institute of Weapons, General Department of Defense Industry in Vietnam and was sent to the Czech Republic as a PhD student. In Vietnam, he has chaired and participated in many scientific projects at the Ministry of Defense and state levels

Pham Huu Nguyen, Tran Dai Nghia University

Huu Nguyen Pham is a teacher. He has worked in the scientific field of ballistics and weapons for many years. He is the author of several scientific publications in the field of weapons.

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Published
2026/01/23
Section
Original Scientific Papers