Target Flow Fields and Penetration Resistance for Pointed Projectiles

Abstract

Methods for determining target resistance using velocity fields have been very successful for hemispherical-nosed and eroding projectiles which produce a hemispherical flow. Pointed-projectile-induced target flow fields are more challenging due to the pointed nose itself being a singular point in the flow. This paper develops a flow field, based on the curl of a vector potential, that produces a singular flow field for pointed projectiles (including ogives and cones) and produces target resistances through integrating plastic work rates over the flow field. To give an example of the utility of these new flow fields and target resistances, comparisons are made using the new flow field in the Walker-Anderson model for ogival-nosed APM2 projectile ballistic limits and deep penetration. Agreement is excellent.