Design and implementation of a high-velocity projectile generator

An explosively formed projectile (EFP) is designed as a high-velocity projectile generator to be used in a field test in which an equivalent fragment impacts on an equivalent tactical ballistic missile warhead. The formed slug of the EFP is ≈45 g and has a velocity of around 2500 m/sec. EFP detonation and slug forging are numerically simulated using an LS-DYNA3D finite-element code to optimize the design parameters of the EFP. Tests with determining EFP velocity and mass are performed to confirm the preliminary design and evaluate the EFP performance. A flash X-ray facility is employed to measure the profile and the velocity of the EFP slug. The high-velocity projectile generator developed herein can be used in verifying the lethality of the antitactical ballistic missile warhead against tactical ballistic missile. It is also useful for research of the resistance of military fortifications and nuclear power plant containment structures to penetration.