Could a Voitenko Compressor be Used in a Missile for Armor-Piercing Attacks?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using a Voitenko Compressor in missile technology for armor-piercing applications. The Voitenko Compressor is identified as a type of shaped charge that rapidly deforms a metal plate to accelerate gas, potentially enabling high-energy impacts. Participants explore the concept of integrating a non-compressible liquid warhead, akin to an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator), to enhance penetration capabilities. The consensus suggests that while innovative, the practicality of such devices may be limited to controlled laboratory conditions, and alternative HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) mechanisms should be considered.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Voitenko Compressors and their operational principles
  • Familiarity with shaped charges and their design
  • Knowledge of Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs)
  • Basic principles of high-explosive technology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of Voitenko Compressors and their applications in military technology
  • Study the design and effectiveness of various shaped charges
  • Explore alternative HEAT mechanisms and their operational environments
  • Investigate the engineering challenges of deploying high-energy devices in missile systems
USEFUL FOR

Writers of military fiction, defense technology enthusiasts, and engineers interested in advanced explosive mechanisms will benefit from this discussion.

Misericorde
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Hello, this is my first post, and it's not for any kind of homework, but rather for a work of fiction. From what I understand the Voitenko Compressor is a shaped charge which rapidly deforms a metal plate to accelerate the test gas.

From reading a bit, it seems that this lead to a self-destroying shock tube for super-compression work http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voitenko_compressor .

Is it beyond imagining (i.e. sci-fi) that you could have a missile which uses this, and is loaded with a "warhead" of non-compressible liquid to punch through armor, a bit like an EFP?

Please let me know if there is already a far better way to do this, such as other HEAT mechanisms, or if this kind of device would almost certainly always require laboratory conditions. Remember, there is some latitude for the sake of fiction, but if there is a better way to reach these energies in a disposable package, and this is stretching credulity please let me know.
 
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JaredJames said:
A shape charge.

It is a explosive with a cone of metal that focuses the blast to punch through armour.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaped_charge

I'm familiar with these, and in fact I think any shock-tube is predicated on a kind of shaped charge. What makes these versions unique is the amount of energy released as a subset of shaped charges. In the end, you think I should ignore specific subsets in favor of the larger family of shaped charges with various kinds of EFPs?
 

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