Study of the Robust Earth Penetrator Penetrating Concrete Target
Chu Zhe, Zhou Gang · Baozha yu chongji · 2004
A robust EP(earth penetrator) what we call WHA-ballast EP is designed to improve penetration performance. A specific WHA(tungsten heavy alloy) component is embedded in the WHA-ballast EP case as a ballast to increase the cross-section mass(penetrator weight to cross section area ratio) which plays a dominant role in EPW(earth penetrator weapon) penetration capability. The laboratory and field tests of the scale WHA-ballast EP penetration have been conducted. The concrete target and discarding sabot used in the experiments are designed. The experimental results show that the penetration performance of the WHA-ballast EP is improved significantly compared with data from the conventional EP tests, and the penetrator can survive severe penetration environment. Study was carried out on the h_p(depth of penetration) relationship between the scaled-down EP and the full scale one. The result of the study is presented in summary form expressing the relationship between h_p of scaled penetrator and the scale factor κ with excellent agreement with test data.