Perforation of metallic plates struck by a blunt projectile with a soft nose

The present paper constructs a rigid–plastic model to assess the effect of a soft nose on the perforation of metallic plates struck by a stubby projectile. A low-density nose-cabin-column, i.e., an assembly of seeker and guidance/control unit, is installed in the front of a real missile. It usually acts as an energy absorber and buffer in the perforation of metallic plates and notably affects the terminal results of projectile. The problem is equivalent to a blunt rigid projectile with a soft nose perforating a circular metallic plate. Effects of transverse shear, bending and membrane deformations on the perforation process are included in a rigid–plastic analysis. Especially the effect of an ahead structural response, induced by the soft nose impacting the target plate, is considered in the model. Analytical formulae for the ballistic performance are obtained for a range of plate thicknesses, which agree well with available experimental results.