Penetration Performance of Tungsten Alloy Penetrators with L/D Ratios of 1 to 1/32

Abstract

A combined experimental and computational investigation was conducted to determine the terminal ballistic performance and transient behavior of low L/ D (length/diameter ratio) tungsten alloy penetrators impacting normal incidence rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) targets at 2 km/s. Each penetrator had a nominal diameter of 25.4 mm, and an L/D of either 1. 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, or 1/32. Experiments were performed using a 50-mm high pressure powder gun and a push- launch sabot. Data collected consisted of penetrator attitude and velocity at impact, depth of penetration, crater diameter, and limited information regarding residual penetrator material. Numerical simulations of each of the penetrators impacting RHA were performed with the Lagrangian code SMACH and the Eulerian code CTH. Both codes exhibited good agreement with experimental data.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA239549

Entities

People

  • Jonas A. Zukas
  • Kent D. Kimsey
  • Todd W. Bjerke

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alloys
  • Ammunition
  • Anti-Armor Ammunition
  • Ballistics
  • Elements
  • Geometry
  • High Pressure
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Kinetic Energy Projectiles
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Projectiles
  • Rolled Homogeneous Armor
  • Simulations
  • Tungsten Alloys
  • Two Dimensional
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • ballistics.