Experimental Techniques

Abstract

Terminal ballistics is the general name for a large number of processes which take place during the high velocity impact of various projectiles/target combinations. There are two related disciplines which deal with launching these projectiles. Interior Ballistics concerns their acceleration to the desired velocity, and Exterior Ballistics deals with their flight dynamics from the launcher to the target. The present chapter describes, very briefly, some of the equipments and techniques which are used to launch a projectile to the desired velocity, as well as the relevant diagnostics which are used to follow its flight and its impact. The main experimental and theoretical techniques, which were developed in order to determine the relevant properties of the impacting materials, will also be described here.