Study on forming control and penetration performance of tantalum in linear explosively formed penetrators (LEFP) warhead

Abstract

In order to further improve the penetration power of the multi-explosive formed warhead, tantalum is used to design a multi-explosive folded warhead. Firstly, using numerical simulation, the design parameters of the damage element of two different forming methods are obtained. Then the formation process, flight process, and penetration process of the projectile were calculated, respectively. Finally, the static explosion experiment of the warhead was carried out. The results show that the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results. There was no break during the formation of the penetrator. It can be folded to form a rod-shaped penetrating body with a high aspect ratio, which can penetrate a Q235 steel target with a thickness of 30mm at a distance of 3 meters. Tantalum material is used as a shaped charge liner, which has a much higher penetration power and stronger aftereffect than copper and pure iron.