Abstract: A pressure test of muzzle shock wave is carried out to understand the propagation of muzzle shock wave in low pressure environment. Low pressure environment is established in a cabin through vacuum pumping system. Pressure curves of muzzle shock wave at different pressures are got by the pressure test system. The results show that the distribution of muzzle shock wave in low pressure environment is the same as that in atmospheric environment. With the decrease in the ambient pressure, the intensity of shock wave decreases linearly. The intensity of shock wave at 10 km altitude is roughly half of that in ground. These results lay the foundation for the research on muzzle flow field and its control technology of aircraft gun in real high altitude environment.

Key words: ordnance science and technology, muzzle flow field, low pressure environment, shock wave, peak overpressure