Jacketed Long-Rod Penetrators: Problems and Perspectives

 

Sebastian Baloš

Milutin Nikačević

Predrag Ristić

Leposava Šiđanin

 

This paper reviews problems and perspectives of jacketed long-rod penetrators. The present status of their developement is shown, while a special attention is given to the influence of jacket material on the occurence of bending vibrations during the acceleration and free flight. A special consideration is given to the design of load transferring jacket/core joints, which is a significant technological problem. Finally, the effectiveness of jacketed long-rod projectiles on different targets - vertical, oblique and spaced ones - is also analyzed. It has been shown that nowadays the most effective jacket material is maraging steel. The efectiveness of jacketed long-rod penetrators is lagrely influenced by impact velocity and a nose shape, which, if optimized correctly, may result in a notable increase penetration of jacketed long-rods compared to conventional monoblock long-rods, even against multilayered targets.

Key words: projectile, long-rod penetrators, jacket, projectile construction, poduction technology.