An Overview of Novel Penetrator Technology

Over the past 25 years, long-rod penetrators have proven to be highly effective when used as a lethal mechanisms in tank-fired ammunition. However, constraints imposed by currently fielded gun systems and the possibility of future, high-velocity gun systems have prompted researchers to examine other penetrator concepts. The rationale for some of these concepts can be found in physical principles embodied in simple one-dimensional semiempirical penetration models. In other cases, certain vulnerabilities of advanced armors can be attacked with novel concepts. In any event, it has been found that departure from a simple, long-rod has posed engineering and fabrication problems that make implementation of the concepts at full scale a major technical challenge.