Penetration of a Highly Oblique Steel Plate by a Thin Disk

Segmented rod penetrator concepts created interest in the ballistic performance of high-density, low length-to-diameter (LID) ratio penetrators, but there was a lack of data showing the performance of such thin disks vs. high-obliquity targets. An experimental and computational study was conducted to examine the basic case of a single tungsten heavy alloy disk with an LID of 1/8 impacting a high-obliquity (65 degrees) rolled homogeneous armor steel plate at a nominal velocity of 2 km/s. The study provides valuable insight into the penetration process. Results include depths of penetration and penetration per unit length. Good agreement is seen between the experimental data and the CTH simulation; both show a ricochet phenomenon. Results are also compared to comparable previous studies, and possible explanations for differences are given.