Penetration mechanics of seg-tel penetrators

Numerical simulations have been used to investigate the penetration performance of a segmented telescopic (seg-tel) penetrator between 1.6 and 2.5 km/s, with an emphasis at the higher impact velocities. Where applicable, the simulations are compared to experimental data. The simulations demonstrate that the penetration process of the seg-tel penetrator deviates in several fundamental ways from that of an ideal monolithic L/D 1 segmented penetrator. The paper focuses on the penetration mechanics of seg-tel projectiles, including single and multi-segment penetrators, as well as individual component elements of the seg-tel penetrator. It is shown that the mechanics of the penetration of the tubular element forces penetrator material to remain along the center of the penetration axis which interferes with the penetration of subsequent segments. A limited experimental effort supports the conclusions drawn from the numerical simulations.