Development of a test system to replicate the shock profiles through small arms accessories
Mr. Nigel Linden, ReTest Equipment, Inc.

Abstract:
Several vendors provide accessories that attach to small arms. These accessories generally involve optics and electronics that are subject to the harsh shock profile generated when the weapon is fired. In the past, these accessories were evaluated and developed through live firing in a range. This has been extremely costly and time-consuming, and the variability of live fire has made A-B comparisons difficult. This paper presents a novel test system and methodology that has been developed to reproduce a typical shock profile in these accessories. A shock-amplification fixture was developed that is mounted to a standard Electro-Dynamic Shaker. This fixture is able to shoot over 18,000 rounds per day, at minimal cost. The paper will compare data recorded on the range, with the same recordings on the test fixture, and present failure modes that have been replicated.

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