Non-normal impact and penetration. Analysis for hard targets and small angles of attack. Final report

Abstract : A rigid-projectile penetration analysis has been developed for non- normal impact, based on the Cavity Expansion Theory (CET). A modified version of the AVCO penetration code is used to implement the CET analysis, which is intended for hard targets (rock and concrete) and for small angles of attack (less than 10 degrees). Tentative verification has been obtained by comparison with 3-degree reverse ballistic data. More tests are needed for further verification, but the initial results suggest that the CET analysis can be used by projectile designers to estimate internal and external forces and moments. Appendix A describes the basic assumptions and results of the CET. Appendix B presents the results of a dynamic structural analysis. Appendix C compares lateral accelerations obtained using the CET and AVCO formulations of the force distribution.