The muzzle brake on the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) emits a familiar plume as it redirects combustion gasses to reduce recoil and overblast pressure. As the Army seeks to extend the range of cannon artillery, muzzle brakes must be much stronger and less prone to manufacturing defects for a longer service life. Designing an improved muzzle brake is one of the many challenges facing engineers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, which has the lead in designing the ERCA system.