Performance limits of KE-penetrators and the selection of optimal projectile parameters

Abstract
Ke-penetrators are used to defeat heavy armored vehicles. There is an instantaneous competition between the development of armor with increased protection efficiency and the improvement of penetrator performance. The penetrator performance is discussed in dependence of the most important parameters material, velocity, mass and length-to-diameter ratio for the case of massive target configuration. The so-called energy diagram is a useful tool to demonstrate the influence of these parameters and to assess their limits. High density and strength as well as large length-to-diameter ratios are important. As a consequence of the saturation of the penetration at high velocities there is an optimal velocity range between 2000 - 2500m/s for high density material rods. Since the kinetic energy transferred from the gun to the penetrator is limited, the penetrator mass has to be adapted for optimal performance. Beside the homogeneous rod penetrator also the behaviour of the segmented rod penetrato r is discussed. It is indicated that the penetrator type could be a solution for future gun and penetrator technology.