Estimation of Minimum Jet Velocity for a Copper Penetrator Through a Homogenous Steel Target

Shaped charge technology has an important role in the military and commercial areas, as bullets and warheads made by the shaped charge principle are especially used for penetration to target and demolition purposes [1]. The goal of this work is to estimate the value of minimum jet velocity for a copper penetrator, in order to obtain the real penetration depth record. A specified shaped charge configuration was chosen. A series of 15 tests were performed and the values ofpenetrations depth were recorded. SHARP computer code was used to calculate theoretical penetration values for a wide range of minimum jet velocity. Comparing the penetration results for both experimental and theoretical records, a value of 1938 mm/μsec as minimum jet velocitywas obtained. Using the new minimum jet velocity value, a good agreement between experimental theoretical penetration depth was observed for standoff distance not greater than 3CD (charge diameter) but for standoff distance greater than 3CD the theoretical results are higher. This because, the minimum jet velocity is not constant and it is changing by increasing the standoff distance.