Shape optimization of penetrator nose

A simplified procedure is suggested to optimize a penetrator's nose shape using localized impactor-target interaction model in the case of penetration into a semi-infinite target and into a target with a finite thickness. Such a procedure establishes the similarity between the projectile's shape optimization in penetration dynamics and in aerodynamics of high speeds. The optimization of the impactor's nose shape can thus be reduced to the variational problem considered previously in connection with the projectile's shape optimization in high speed gas dynamics. Two example from the literature are analyzed when impactor's shape optimization involved difficulties whereas the mathematically similar problem was solved before in aeromechanics. Some aspects of applying gas dynamics similarity for optimization of the impactor's shape for bodies of revolution are discussed.