Prediction of impact velocity and target material influence on the efficiency of PELE ammunition

Abstract

Research of the different impact velocity influences on the efficacy of Penetration with Enhanced Lateral Efficiency (PELE) ammunition was performed using numerical simulations, where several conclusions were drawn. Namely, the average mass of fragments decreases as impact velocity rises. The mass of the residual projectile drops as impact velocity rises. At higher impact velocities, the casing and core of the projectile fracture more, and more fragments are formed. At higher impact velocities, the dispersion of fragments is greater, and bigger holes in the target are present. The fragment velocity rises linearly with the increase of impact velocity. Research on different target material influences on terminal ballistics of PELE is also conducted, where one target material from experimental research was also compared with numerical simulation. Several conclusions were made. Namely, the harder the target, the more fragments are created. The radial velocity of fragments is higher behind the steel target than behind the aluminum one. The aluminum target fragments the most and gives the highest residual velocity of the projectile. The highest fragmentation of the projectile jacket was recorded for the case of the hardest target (Nanos-BA). Nanos-BA steel target deformed the least upon impact, has the smallest hole, and gives the smallest number of fragments (from the target itself). The Nanos-BA steel target produces the largest number of fragments from the projectile jacket.