The use of novel penetrators is being investigated for their potential application against ballistic missile payloads. Packaging and deployment concepts of these penetrators were parametrically traded when considering an aimable kinetic energy rod (KER) warheads. These novel penetrators where compared to traditional cylindrical shaped rods from both packaging and penetration performance. Our studies showed that novel penetrators obtained equal (normal) penetration with lighter weight rods compared to heavier cylindrical rods. These studies also indicated that cruciform rods achieved similar penetration at yaw given equal diameters. Our studies suggest that enhanced target damage would occur with novel rod concepts with given equal warhead volume and weight constraints. The HULL 3-dimensional hydrocode calculated that lighter weight cruciform rods penetrated similar depths through submunitions at yaw compared to cylindrical rods.
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