Abstract: A projectile is provided for penetration into targets of both slight and great resistance to penetration. The projectile is also operative for exploding the payload of the projectile after penetration. The projectile includes a forward barrier of high strength material and a fuse adapted to be detonated on impact with targets. This fuse operates with high sensitivity on impact with targets of slight resistance to penetration and by delayed action which permits explosion of the payload of the projectile after penetration. A delayed action charge included in the fuse is placed behind the barrier and is allocated a protected position where shock waves which occur in the forward material portions of the projectile are prevented from triggering or actuating the delayed action charge. The delayed action charge is exposed to a unit placed between the barrier and the delayed action charge, the unit, when the fuse is detonated, effectuating a reliable ignition of the delayed action charge.