Two-Material Penetrator Nose for Penetrating Both Sand and Concrete

We propose to improve earth-penetrator performance against layered targets including soils and concrete by determining appropriate materials for a first-stage sand penetrating nose, and optimizing nose geometry for sand penetration. An analytical and/or computational study will narrow the options for each approach, and limited small scale tests will be conducted to verify material behavior under laboratory conditions. Once candidate materials have been identified, we will develop means for implementing the novel nose materials into a removable nose on a steel penetrator. BENEFIT: This program will enhance the capability of penetrating weapons that are under development by increasing the probability that the weapons will reach their intended targets. These technologies will also enable greater success for data-gathering space probes that are designed as planetary penetrators.