Estimation of Influence of Target Obliquity on Efficiency of PELE Ammunition

In the available literature, no research on target obliquity influence on terminal ballistics of PELE could be found. This study aimed to give an insight into this phenomenon. As a part of the research, numerical simulations were performed with four different target obliquity angles, namely 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60°. Before the simulations, the numerical model was validated with available experimental data. It was shown that the case of a target inclination of 30° is the most effective in stopping PELE ammunition, for the given type of materials and design, because it shows the lowest number of fragments created and also the lowest velocity of fragments, with large number of fragments lost in front of the target. Target obliquity leads to the asymmetric deformation of the projectile and at larger target obliquities a good part of the jacket and core is fragmented and lost in front of the target. Residual velocity of projectile is smaller for larger target obliquities. The deformation of the aluminum core is significant for larger target obliquities. Perforation time for larger target obliquity angles is longer. The lower side of the projectile casing is more deformed than the upper side for target obliquities larger than 0°. Fragments that originate from the front part of the projectile jacket are faster compared to fragments originating from the projectile lower sections. The perforation hole is significantly larger for higher target obliquity angles than for smaller ones. For a 60° inclination of the target, several massive fragments are created in front of the target.