The destructive impact of weapons and ammunition.

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction
2. Fragmentation Munitions
3. Shaped Charge Munitions
4. High-Explosive Munitions
5. Penetration Munitions
6. Numerical Simulation of High-Speed Processes

Document Introduction

This report systematically expounds on the physical action fundamentals and damage effect assessment methods for various types of conventional weapon munitions (fragmentation, shaped charge, high-explosive, penetration). The report aims to fill the gap in existing literature regarding systematic and modern discourse on the damage effects of weapon munitions. Its content synthesizes the author's teaching experience at several top technical universities in Russia and related scientific research achievements, providing students, researchers, and professionals in related fields with an authoritative theoretical framework and practical analytical tools.

The core of the report begins with a clear distinction between the concepts of "damage effect" and "combat effectiveness." The former focuses on the damage capability of a munition after it approaches the target under the normal functioning of all its components, while the latter is a broader category that also includes factors such as delivery accuracy, component reliability, and countering enemy defenses. Building on this foundation, the report constructs generalized damage characteristics such as the "conditional damage law" for evaluating contact-action munitions (e.g., armor-piercing shells) and the "coordinate damage law" for remote-action munitions (e.g., fragmentation shells, high-explosive shells). It also elaborates in detail on target damage levels (A, B, C grades), firing error analysis (systematic error, random error, grouping error), and different effectiveness assessment models for single targets, clustered targets, and area targets.

The main body of the report delves into four major categories of munitions by topic. Regarding fragmentation munitions, the content covers their classification, the formation mechanisms of natural and preformed fragments, statistical models of fragment fields (Weibull distribution, Mott's law), fragment external ballistics, and methods for calculating damage laws and optimizing munition parameters based on target vulnerability characteristics. Regarding shaped charge munitions, starting from the basic principles of the shaped charge phenomenon, the report discusses in detail the hydrodynamic theory of jet formation (PER theory), the explosive loading and collapse process of the liner, the penetration mechanism of the jet into the target, and analyzes the influence of design parameters, manufacturing processes, and operational conditions (e.g., standoff, rotation) on the penetration effect. Regarding high-explosive munitions, the focus is on analyzing parameter calculations for airblast, underwater, and underground explosion shockwaves, damage criteria for structures and personnel, and the explosion characteristics of Fuel-Air Explosives (FAE). Regarding penetration munitions, the report explores the interaction mechanisms between kinetic energy projectiles and targets, the mathematical formulation of penetration problems, and the particularities of high-velocity impact.

Given that the study of explosion and impact processes is inseparable from the widespread application of numerical simulation, the report dedicates a chapter to introducing the fundamentals of numerical simulation for high-speed processes. This includes the governing equations of continuum mechanics, constitutive models of materials under intense dynamic loads (elastic, hydrodynamic, elastic-plastic, etc.), and principles for selecting solvers in mainstream simulation software (e.g., ANSYS AUTODYN). It also demonstrates the application process of numerical simulation through specific case studies. The report appendix provides practical information such as unit conversion tables.

This report does not cover the design and operation of weapon guidance and control systems. Its discourse is closely integrated with engineering practice. The formulas and criteria used can be directly applied to estimate damage field parameters, analyze target vulnerability, determine safe distances, and assess the resistance of protective structures. It holds high reference value for professionals engaged in damage effect research, explosion safety, counter-terrorism protection, and military equipment research and development.