Penetration Mechanics Research In The Former Soviet Union

Penetration Mechanics Research in the Former Soviet Union

Recently published papers by scientists from the former Soviet Union reveal to Western researchers a mature body of highly inventive and dedicated research. To analyze and assess this work, a group of six internationally recognized US experts in the field of penetration mechanics and hypervelocity impact reviewed hundreds of unclassified documents. Five broad, sometimes overlapping, research areas were chosen for assessment: Hypervelocity Impact Capabilities; Penetration Mechanics Experiments at Ordnance Velocities; Analytical Penetration Mechanics; Material Response to High-Velocity Impact and Penetration; and Numerical Simulations of Penetration Physics. Both similarities and differences between Soviet and Western research were noted and characterized, with particular attention paid to potential breakthrough technologies. Leading Soviet scientists and their organizations were identified, as were areas of potentially fruitful collaboration between researchers from the former Soviet Union and the United States, Soviet breakthroughs in penetration mechanics technology that far out-distanced Western efforts were not found, though potential breakthroughs were noted in several areas, including penetration models of brittle materials (principally ceramics), superdeep penetration of particles, and very-high-velocity electromagnetic launchers.

Parallel Processing Research in the Former Soviet Union

Climate Research in the Former Soviet Union