The Development of a Theory for the Design of Lightweight Armor

Abstract : An Analytical and experimental program was conducted, the purpose of which was the development and application of the Integral Theory of Impact to the design of lightweight armor. The experimental program consisted of deforming and nondeforming spherical projectiles impacting monolithic and layered targets. Crater depth data were obtained for thick targets; residual velocity data for thin targets. The program verified two key aspects of the theory: (1) a simple, deforming particle model can be used to predict the gross response of a target; (2) the theory can be used to predict layered target response. Materials have been identified which have the potential to reduce armor weight and/or cost. In general, these materials are ceramics which must be used in combination with more ductile materials. An optimization study is presented which demonstrates the method by which the tradeoffs between these materials can be estimated and suggests the potential payoff. The optimization is based on a typical high velocity fragment threat.