Application of a direct circular conical impactor model for assessing the effects of conventional weapons on aircraft structural elements

In the design of aircraft, it is essential to consider the consequences of emergency situations, including impacts from conventional weapons such as small arms. To assess the penetration capability of striking elements from such weapons, a mathematical model of a direct circular conical impactor is applied, representing a bullet as a rigid cone. Two impact scenarios are analyzed: one in which the impactor length exceeds the target thickness and another where it is shorter. The model was verified using the ANSYS Autodyn simulation environment, which analyzes dynamic effects on structures. The deviation between the simulated and calculated results does not exceed 13.5%, which is considered acceptable for high-speed processes. The model’s reliability is demonstrated for thin-walled barriers typical of aircraft structural components. Future work will focus on the investigation of different materials and the development of methodologies for assessing aircraft vibration impact loads from conventional weapons.