High-velocity projectile penetration into thick armour targets

Abstract

The deformation of thick targets impacted by high-velocity projectiles is considered. The well-known model of Tate and Alekseevskii, or rather the hydrodynamic limit thereof, is used to calculate the penetration depth into the target. Slip line field theory is used to obtain the projectile penetration resistance in the target material and energy conservation is used to determine the hole radius in the target. The deformation of the projectile is assumed to result in a lining of the hole in the target. For maximum penetration capacity the rear part of the projectile must be able to pass the lined hole created by the front part. This defines a minimum impact velocity as a function of the projectile and target material densities and the corresponding yield strengths. All results are analytical, which of course means that the model can only provide a rough description of reality. This is however necessary if the model shall be a small but important part of a large computer program for assessment of effects and vulnerability of complex targets.