Limits of increasing the penetration of shaped-charge jets by pulsed thermal action on shaped-charge liners

The effect of preheating of liners on the penetration capability of shaped charges is considered theoretically. It is shown that for a plastically fractured shaped-charge jet, preheating of the liner generally increases the effective jet length and shaped-charge jet penetration. Restrictions on the parameters of preheating of shaped-charge liners due to the possible thermal initiation of the explosive are established. It is noted that excessive weakening of a shaped-charge jet can lead to transition from plastic to volume fracture with a corresponding decrease in shaped-charge jet penetration. The ultimate possibilities of the thermal method for increasing the penetration capability of shaped charges are estimated. Calculation results are compared with available experimental data.