THE INFLUENCE OF YAW ON THE PERFORATION OF FRAGMENTS

It is generally assumed that the penetration capability of fragments such as fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs) and cubes is greatest when the impact attitude is un-yawed, i.e. face-on. On this basis it is the usual aim in experiments to reduce impact yaw to a minimum. There is therefore very little published data available to confirm the assumption. This paper reports perforation experiments (V-50) of two fragments impacting steel plates with orientations other than face-on. The fragments were a 20mm diameter steel FSP and a 6mm tungsten alloy cube. The FSP was found to give reduced perforation at 45 degrees and 90 degrees orientations compared to face-on (0 degrees). The cube results indicate that corner-on impacts could be more penetrative than face-on orientation.