Trajectory and Ricochet Dependencies on the Center of Mass Location of Rigid Ogive-Nosed Projectiles Impacting Metallic Targets at Non-Normal Conditions

Penetration trajectory of homogenous projectiles impacting normally a metal target is the basic case in terminal ballistics. However, it is a singular case and impacts with angle of attack (yaw and pitch), or oblique angle, occur more often. These angles influence penetration trajectories, ricochet angles and penetration depths. We conducted a large number of 3D numerical simulations in order to determine the penetration characteristics of rigid homogenous and non-homogenous ogive-nosed projectiles. These projectiles impacted Al 6061-T6 targets at normal and non-normal conditions, in order to determine the effect of the center of their mass location on their penetration characteristics. Trajectory changes, threshold ricochet angles, and depths of penetration were determined in terms of the physical and geometrical properties of these projectile/target pairs. It was found that by moving the center of mass towards their tips, these non-homogenous projectiles show an enhanced ballistics performance and a better propensity to survive at non-normal impacts.