Terminal Ballistics Test and Analysis Guidelines for the Penetration Mechanics Branch
Abstract
The principal mission of the Penetration Mechanics Branch (PMB) of the Terminal Ballistics Division (TBD) of the Ballistic Research Laboratory (BRL). Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, is research and development leading to improvements in the terminal ballistic performance of kinetic energy (KE) long rod penetrators. This is done by using computer modeling and by experimental tests. In terms of the number of shots fired, the experimental testing is predominantly done at reduced scale using laboratory guns with bore diameters of 20 to 30 mm. The reduced scale penetrators are of simplified geometry compared with their full-scale counterparts. The penetrator is usually a monolithic right-circular-cylinder metal rod with a hemispheric nose made from either tungsten alloy (WA) or depleted uranium (DU). Terminal ballistics is that part of the science of ballistics that relates to the interaction between a projectile (penetrator) and a target. In general, the projectile is the package which flies through the air. The penetrator is the part of the projectile which digs into the target, inflicting damage to the target. The primary measure of the effectiveness of a penetrator attacking a specific target is its ballistic limit velocity. The ballistic limit velocity is the impact speed required to just get through the target placed at the specified angle of obliquity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA246922
Entities
People
- Graham F. Silsby
- John A. Zook
- Konrad Frank
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory