Abstract: This invention is directed to the construction of armor-piercing projecti which combine the enhanced kinetic energy penetration due to metal matrix composite materials with that of a shaped-charge jet to defeat armor not vulnerable to either weapon alone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of fabricating kinetic-energy projiles from composite materials in such a manner that the type and degree of local inhomogeneity and anisotropy is controlled for tailoring the mechanical and physical properties of the projectile for different applications. A continuous rod of composite material is fed into a machine having a stationary holder or gripper and a rotatable holder or gripper which grips the rod. An induction heater heats a particular zone of the rod between the holders. Once the rod zone has been heated, the rotatable holder is rotated through a particular predetermined angular twist about the longitudinal axis, thereby applying a torque on the rod which causes the rod to deform in the heated zone. Depending upon the heated zone length, projectile noses in near-final shapes ranging from rather blunt hemispheres to sharp ogives can be formed.