Effects of Engine on Penetration Performance of Semi-Armor Piercing Warhead

Abstract

In the structural layout of missiles and rockets, the engine is generally placed behind the warhead. In order to investigate the effects of the engine on the penetration performance of semi-armor piercing (SAP) warheads, this study numerically simulated the oblique penetration of an SAP warhead and a free-flight rocket into armor plates. The results showed that under the condition of oblique penetration, the compressive force the warhead underwent was asymmetric and that attitude changes made the body of the warhead easily compressed by the target plate. In addition, the constraint of the engine was found to suppress warhead deflection and reduce projectile deformation.