Abstract
Analyses presented in the article were carried out in order to characterize the main parameters of the shaped charge jet formed due to detonation of the PG-7VM warhead. As opposed to the previously published studies in which rolled homogeneous armored steel was mainly used as a target, in the current work the warhead penetration capability was determined against more contemporary high-hardness (500 HB) ARMSTAL 30PM steel armor with precisely determined mechanical properties. The research included experimental depth of penetration tests and their numerical reproduction in the LS-Dyna software. Special attention was paid to factors that could perturbate the shaped charge jet formation process and under- or overestimate its penetration capability. For this reason, warheads were X-ray inspected for structural discrepancies (voids or air inclusions in explosive, misalignment between the body, explosive, and liner, or lack of contact between the explosive and the liner) and properties of materials (explosive, targets, and most important warhead components) were analyzed before the experiments. The numerical model of the warhead was defined more accurately than in previously published studies, since it was based on the real grenade dimensions and its technical documentation. Thanks to this, the depth of penetration of the target made of ARMSTAL 30PM armored steel plates by the shaped charge jet formed from the PG-7VM warhead obtained by numerical simulation was consistent with the experimental results and equaled 278 mm and 280 mm, respectively. The difference between the experimental and numerical value was smaller than 1%, which confirms that the developed methodology of modeling allows users to properly reproduce the PG-7VM shaped charge jet formation and target penetration processes. A verified numerical model of the shaped charge jet penetration into a steel target was used to determine depth of penetration in function of stand-off distance for the PG-7VM warhead. A maximum depth of penetration of about 317 mm was obtained for the stand-off distance of 360 mm, which may indicate the potential direction of modernization of warheads.
Highlights
On the basis of the literature review, it can be concluded that a combined experimental and numerical approach can be very effective in testing and designing of multiple studies on the effectiveness of various High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads with different numbers of shaped charges (SCs) [21,22], liner shapes [23,24,25], liner materials [26,27,28], and types of explosives used [29] were presented in the literature, paradoxically there is a lack of accurate and reliable research related to the performance of the most common PG-7VM
The presence of structural discrepancies in the warheads were X-ray inspected and material properties of explosive, target, and most important warhead components were analyzed during material characterization tests to exclude all the factors that could negatively affect warhead penetration capability
The results of the simulation of SCJ formation due to the detonation of explosives in the PG-7VM warhead are presented in this chapter
Summary
High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads [1,2,3,4], besides the armor-piercing fin stabilized discarding sabots projectiles (APFSDS) [4,5,6], are one of the most effective types of anti-tank ammunition currently used by armed forces worldwide. The high effectiveness of HEAT warheads results from the presence of shaped charges (SCs) in their design. The fundamentals of SCs have already been well understood and described [2,3]. An SC basically employs a highly explosive device with a lined cavity. The liner is typically a hollow metal cone but may assume almost any geometrical shape [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
