Lowenthal Marvin J. The Accuracy of Ballistic Density Departure Tables 1934-1972

Research and development technical rept. — New Mexico: White Sands Missile Range Atmospheric Sciences Lab, 1970. — 40 p.The accuracy of ballistic density departure tables is examined, starting with the earliest available sets in 1934. The extension of the tables (originally developed for the US) to encompass the entire Northern Hemisphere is discussed and the shortcomings of the current climatological regional zones described. New tables, based on current data and used for a more limited geographical area, are shown to be accurate to one half of one percent, hence furnish excellent back-up information when a current sounding is not available for artillery firings. A procedure for minimizing ballistic density errors that accrue between observational periods is also presented.