Ballistic measurement systems: Measuring hit accuracy patterns (1973)
Measuring hit accuracy patterns (1973)
The Target Scoring System (TSS; TRA in Dutch) is an electronic recording device of hits at the target area for large-calibre projectiles. This equipment was developed by the TNO Physics Laboratory for the benefit of the Commission of Trails of the Royal Netherlands Army (CVP) in 1973. From the angles at which both detectors observe the projectile and the known distance between the detectors, the position of the projectile in the target plane can be deduced. The control box sends this position to the registration station where it is recorded, together with the shot number (obtained by the acoustic detector).
The observation of birds, for example, is prevented by the shock wave detector which signals the nearing of a projectile on the control box.
In addition to this equipment, the museum also has transmitting and receiving antennas belonging to the TSS, one of the two artificial light sources to use in case of insufficient daylight, one of the two hoods to be used to prevent sun in the lens, and one of the two rotating windshields beat the rain.
Evaluation Goalkeeper
In 1984, the TSS was employed to evaluate the ‘Goalkeeper CIWS‘, a Naval seven-barrel weapon system to counter incoming missiles. Because of the very high firing rate of 4,200 shots a minute, the TSS had to be modified to be able to perform these measurements. The precise time of the shot had to be recorded to correlate the shot with the barrel and to determine undetected shots. Those measurements took place at Fort Erfprins, Den Helder over a length of 350 metres. The recordings were transmitted via a radio connection to the sea container with the processing equipment. The container was set up just behind the Goalkeeper.
