WO2017171692A2

WO2017171692A2 - Projectile

Info

Publication number: WO2017171692A2
Application number: PCT/US2016/000139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory R. SCHULTZ
Original assignee: Olive Tree Financial Group, L.L.C.
Priority date: 2015-05-28
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: WO2017171692A3

Abstract

A projectile (10) having a carrier (12) with a side wall (20) coupled to a base (22). The side wall (20) and the base (22) at least partially surround a cavity (24), and the side wall (20) defines an opening (26) positioned opposite the base (22). A penetrator (14) is at least partially positioned within the cavity (24), extends from the cavity (24) through the opening (26), and includes a tip (36). The penetrator (14) is preferably formed from a non-porous material.

Description

PROJECTILE

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 14/724,032 filed on May 28, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward a projectile, and in particular, toward a projectile that includes a carrier and a penetrator.

2. Description of Related Art

Projectiles, such as bullets, that are designed to be fired from a firearm typically have a metal core formed from a relatively soft material, such as lead, that may be surrounded partially or fully by a metal jacket. The projectile is inserted within a cartridge containing a propellant and primer that ignite to fire the projectile from a firearm. The use of lead in these projectiles may cause environmental contamination.

A projectile that is specifically designed to penetrate a hard and/or reinforced target typically has a metal core formed from a relatively hard metal, such as steel and/or tungsten. A conventional steel and/or tungsten core projectile does not consistently penetrate conventional woven fiber body armor when fired at a typical handgun velocity because the core of the projectile deforms and the fibers of the body armor engage or stick within the pores of the steel and/or tungsten core. The fibers increase the surface area of the bullet, which along with deformation of the bullet, makes it harder for the bullet to penetrate the armor. If the bullet does penetrate the armor, it has limited stopping power because the body armor has reduced its velocity. A conventional steel and/or tungsten core projectile also is not designed to expand after penetrating body armor, and thus may not incapacitate the target wearing the armor. In addition, a conventional steel core projectile may have an unstable flight pattern if the steel core is not properly balanced.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed in a first aspect to a projectile that includes a carrier and a penetrator. The carrier includes a side wall coupled to a base. The side wall and the base at least partially surround a cavity, and the side wall defines an opening positioned opposite the base. The carrier is preferably formed from copper or brass. The penetrator is at least partially positioned within the cavity and extends from the cavity through the opening. The penetrator includes a tip that is spaced a distance from the carrier, and the penetrator is formed from a non-porous material, preferably a non-porous ceramic. The side wall of the carrier preferably includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a leading surface positioned opposite the base. The tip of the penetrator is preferably spaced a distance from the leading surface. Preferably, the projectile includes a cover that abuts the leading surface of the carrier, and the cover and the carrier encapsulate the penetrator. A portion of the cover is preferably positioned between the penetrator and the carrier to hold the cover in place.

The projectile can preferably penetrate hard objects or objects reinforced with material such as conventional body armor made from woven fibers. The projectile also preferably expands after penetrating body armor to create a greater wound channel within the target. Because the penetrator of the projectile is formed from a non-porous material, the fibers of body armor do not stick to the penetrator. The penetrator is preferably made from a material with a high compressive strength and is non-frangible so that it does not significantly deform or shatter as it passes through body armor. Because the penetrator is preferably constructed from a non-porous and lightweight material, the projectile preferably has a weight that is substantially similar to or less than a conventional bullet such that it can be fired in a standard firearm at the same or greater velocity as a conventional bullet without increasing the pressure generated within the firearm.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a projectile in accordance with a first

embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the projectile shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the projectile shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side-elevational view showing the projectile of Fig. 1 inserted in a cartridge shown in dashed lines.

Figs. 5 A-5G each show a side-elevational or perspective view of an alternative embodiment of penetrator that may be used with the projectiles of Figs. 1 through 4. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional detail view of an alternative embodiment of projectile in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, a projectile in accordance with the present invention is shown and designated with the numeral 10. Projectile 10 may be any caliber for firing from any type of firearm, but is most preferably designed for firing from a handgun. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, projectile 10 includes a carrier 12, a penetrator 14, and a cover 16. With reference to Fig. 4, projectile 10 is shown with the carrier 12 inserted within a cartridge 18 that is shown in dashed lines. A propellant (not shown) and a primer (not shown) are positioned in cartridge 18 between the base of the cartridge and projectile 10 as is well known in the art. Although projectile 10 preferably includes cover 16 as shown, the projectile of the present invention need not include a cover. When cover 16 is utilized as shown in Fig. 1, penetrator 14 is not visible once projectile 10 is assembled.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, carrier 12 includes a side wall 20 and a base 22. Side wall 20 and base 22 partially surround and define a cavity 24. Side wall 20 defines an opening 26 which is positioned opposite base 22. Base 22 has a bottom surface 22a. Side wall 20 includes an inner surface 28, an outer surface 30, and a leading surface 32. Leading surface 32 is positioned opposite base 22 and extends between inner surface 28 and outer surface 30. Leading surface 32 has a width extending from inner surface 28 to outer surface 30 that is preferably between approximately 0.25 to 3.5 mm, and in one embodiment is between approximately 0.25 to 1.25 mm. The preferable width of leading surface 32 depends on the type of material from which carrier 12 is constructed and the rigidity that carrier 12 must possess for the particular caliber of projectile 10. Leading surface 32 includes an annular recess 34 positioned between an outer ridge 35a and an inner ridge 35b. As shown, outer surface 30 of carrier 12 is generally cylindrical, yet tapered such that its diameter decreases from leading surface 32 to base 22. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for outer surface 30 to have a constant diameter from leading surface 32 to base 22 or to be other shapes. Carrier 12 is preferably constructed of copper or brass, but it is within the scope of the invention to construct carrier 12 of any suitable material.

Penetrator 14 includes a tip 36, a cylindrical first section 38, an ogive or conical second section 40, and an outer surface 42. Second section 40 includes a first end 44 and a second end 46 that is integral with first section 38. The diameter of second end 46 is greater than the diameter of first section 38 such that second end 46 extends generally perpendicular outward from first section 38. The diameter of second end 46 is less than the diameter of leading surface 32 such that leading surface 32 extends radially outward from penetrator 14. Second section 40 has an outer surface that gradually slopes from second end 46 to tip 36. The shape of second section 40 facilitates its ability to penetrate relatively hard objects and body armor as described in more detail below. Penetrator 14 is constructed from a non-porous, relatively light-weight material, such as a non-porous ceramic. Penetrator 14 preferably has a compressive strength of at least approximately 200,000 psi, more preferably between approximately 200,000 to 1 ,600,000 psi, and most preferably between approximately 200,000 to 800,000 psi. In one embodiment, penetrator 14 is a non-porous aluminum oxide ceramic with a compressive strength of approximately 300,000 psi. Other suitable non-porous materials include but are not limited to non-porous ceramics, a non-porous high-alumina ceramic, or a non-porous silicon nitride ceramic.

First section 38 of penetrator 14 is positioned within cavity 24, and, as shown in Fig. 2, first section 38 fills cavity 24 such that first section 38 abuts base 22 and inner surface 28. Cavity 24 is preferably sized to have a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of first section 38 such that penetrator 14 is press fit into cavity 24. Second section 40 extends from first section 38 such that penetrator 14 extends from cavity 24 through opening 26. A portion of second end 46 abuts inner ridge 35b of leading surface 32 of carrier 12, and a portion of second end 46 extends over recess 34. Tip 36 is spaced a distance from carrier 12, as measured from leading surface 32, that is preferably between approximately 1 to 9 mm. Preferably, tip 36 is spaced a greater distance from carrier 12 depending on the caliber of projectile 10. For instance, if projectile 10 is .50 caliber, tip 36 may extend approximately 8 to 9 mm from carrier 12, while if projectile 10 is .25 caliber, tip 36 may extend approximately 2 to 5 mm from carrier 12.

Penetrator 14 is preferably mechanically press fit into carrier 12 such that the resulting combination is held together without the use of adhesives or chemical bonding due to factional forces acting on the surfaces of projectile 14 and carrier 12 at their respective points of contact. Alternatively, an adhesive or resin may be inserted into cavity 24 of carrier 12 before penetrator 14 is press fit into carrier 12 in order to enhance the bonding between penetrator 14 and carrier 12. Depending on the caliber of projectile 10 and the resulting length and weight distribution that projectile 10 must possess in order to have a stable flight pattern from a firearm, cavity 24 may have a depth extending toward bottom surface 22a that is not entirely filled by penetrator 14. In such a configuration, the portion of cavity 24 between penetrator 14 and base 22 may be filled with a resin or adhesive in order to optimize the weight distribution of projectile 10 for its particular caliber. The resin or adhesive may be mixed with a hardened material, such as boron carbide or cubic boron powder, in order to enhance the rigidity and optimize the weight distribution of the projectile 10. The resin or adhesive also assists in bonding penetrator 14 to carrier 12.

Referring to Fig. 2, cover 16 includes an inner surface 48, an outer surface 50, and a lower surface 52 that define a cavity 54. Second section 40 of penetrator 14 is positioned within cavity 54. Inner surface 48 partially surrounds cavity 54. Lower surface 52 extends between inner surface 48 and outer surface 50 and includes an annular ridge 56 at its inner peripheral edge. Cover 16 generally has an ogive or conical outer surface 50 that matches the shape of second section 40 of penetrator 14. Cover 16 may create a large wound channel when the projectile 10 strikes a target and the cover 16 breaks away from the carrier 12 and the penetrator 14. Further, cover 16 preferably protects the feed ramp of the weapon used to fire projectile 10 because cover 16 is preferably made from a material that will not damage the feed ramp. Cover 16 may be formed from a variety of malleable or moldable materials and is preferably a polymer or plastic. Cover 16 may be formed with a self-lubricating or low friction material to reduce friction when the cover 16 engages a firearm feed ramp. Including a self- lubricating or low friction material within cover 16 also preferably enhances the ability of projectile 10 to penetrate woven fiber body armor because the low friction material will coat the outer surface of penetrator 14 and enhance the ability of the penetrator 14 to slide through the gaps between woven fibers.

As shown in Fig. 1, cover 16 and carrier 12 encapsulate penetrator 14 (as shown in Fig. 2) of projectile 10. Referring back to Fig. 2, ridge 56 of cover 16 is positioned within and fills annular recess 34 of leading surface 32 of carrier 12 such that cover 16 abuts leading surface 32 of carrier 12. Cover 16 is held in place without the use of adhesives or chemical bonding due to the fact that a portion of ridge 56 of cover 16 is positioned between second section 40 of penetrator 14 and leading surface 32. Because penetrator 14 is press-fit into carrier 12, penetrator 14 retains cover 16 in place. A portion of cover 16 is positioned between penetrator 14 and leading surface 32 to retain cover 16 in place because the non-porous material of penetrator 14 makes it difficult for cover 16 to bond to penetrator 14. Cover 16 is preferably injection molded on to the combination of carrier 12 and penetrator 14 so that it is simultaneously formed and secured to the combination. Projectile 10 may further include a disc (not shown) that is positioned within cavity 24 between base 22 and penetrator 14. The disc (not shown) is preferably made from a hard material such as boron to improve the hardness of the base 22 and prevent deformation of base 22 when it is subject to a force to propel projectile 10 from cartridge 18 (shown in Fig. 4). If such a disc is utilized, the length of first section 38 of penetrator 14 may be shortened to accommodate the disc and to leave the overall construction of projectile 10 and the relative positioning of its individual components unchanged.

Because penetrator 14 is constructed from a non-porous and preferably lightweight material, such as a non-porous ceramic, projectile 10 preferably has a weight that is substantially similar to or less than a conventional bullet such that it can be fired in a standard firearm at the same or greater velocity as a conventional bullet without increasing the pressure generated within the firearm. For any given caliber projectile 10 preferably weighs less than a conventional bullet (while still performing better than a conventional bullet as described herein) so that a soldier or hunter carrying a plurality of projectiles 10 has a substantially lighter overall load than if the soldier or hunter carried conventional bullets. Projectile 10 preferably does not include lead so that it can be used for hunting without contaminating game and environment with lead. The non-porous material of penetrator 14 is preferably not frangible (non-porous ceramics, non-porous high-alumina ceramic, and non-porous silicon nitride ceramic meet this requirement) to prevent it from shattering upon impact with a target. The combination of carrier 12 and penetrator 14 preferably has a center of mass and weight that allows projectile 10 to travel relatively straight and stable when fired. In an alternative embodiment, the carrier 12 may be shaped so the leading surface 32 does not project radially outward from projectile 14. In this configuration, projectile 10 will penetrate deeper into a target and create a smaller wound channel than the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4.

Penetrator 14 of projectile 10 may be replaced with alternative penetrator s depending on the desired type of impact and/or wound channel within a target. Penetrators 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, and 810, shown in Figs. 5A-5G, respectively, each include respective cylindrical first sections 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712, and 812; respective second sections 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814 integral with and extending outward from the first sections, and respective outer surfaces 218, 318, 418, 518, 618, 718, and 818. Second sections 214, 514, and 614 are each dome-shaped or convex, but do not have a sharp tip like penetrator 14. Second section 314 is bowl-shaped or concave. Second section 414 is sloped concave in that it is bowl-shaped with an apex that is offset with respect to a longitudinal axis of penetrator 410. Second section 814 is sloped convex in that it is dome-shaped with an apex that is offset with respect to a longitudinal axis of penetrator 810. Penetrator 310 includes four generally cube shaped protrusions, three of which are shown as 316a-c that are coupled to and extend radially outward from outer surface 312. Penetrator 510 includes a pair of triangular shaped protrusions 516a-b or fins that are coupled to and extend radially outward from outer surface 512. Penetrator 610 includes four generally cube shaped protrusions, three of which are shown as 616a-c, that are coupled to and extend radially outward from outer surface 612. Penetrator 710 is a hollow cylinder such that first section 712 and second section 714 are both tubular and second section 714 has a planar ring-shaped end.

Penetrators shown in Figs. 1-5G that do not include protrusions may optionally include at least one protrusion, and the protrusions may be a variety of shapes including but not limited to square pegs or fins. On the other hand, penetrators shown in Figs. 1-5G that do include protrusions may optionally not include any protrusions or the number of protrusions may be reduced.

When used to replace penetrator 14 of projectile 10, penetrators 214, 314, 414,

514, 614, 714, and 814 will, like penetrator 14, extend outward from leading surface 32.

Penetrators 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714 and 814 may also include second ends comparable to second end 46 of penetrator 14 that may be greater than or substantially equal to the diameter of first sections 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712 and 812. Where a penetrator includes protrusions on the outer surface (as shown with penetrators 310, 510, and 610), the protrusions are preferably on the portion of the outer surface that extends outward from leading surface 32.

Regardless of whether the penetrators shown in Figs. 5 A-G are substituted for penetrator 14 of projectile 10, cover 16 would fill the space above second sections 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814, if any (i.e., the concave spaces above second sections 314 and 414 and the space above second section 714).

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of projectile 910 in accordance with the present invention. Projectile 910 is substantially similar to projectile 10 shown in Figs. 1-4. Accordingly, only the differences between projectile 910 and projectile 10 are discussed in detail herein. Projectile 910 has a carrier 912 with a leading surface 914 that is tapered as compared to projectile 10, which enhances the ability of projectile 910 to penetrate a hard object, such as body armor or bullet resistant glass. Leading surface 914 includes a tapered surface 916 and an annular surface 918. Tapered surface 916 slopes from an outer surface 920 of carrier 912 toward a tip 922 of penetrator 924 and toward a central axis of projectile 910. Annular surface 918 extends from tapered surface 916 to an opening 926 in carrier 912.

Penetrator 924 has a cylindrical first section 928 received within opening 926 and an ogive or conical second section 930 extending outward from opening 926. Second section has a first end 932 and a second end 934 that abuts annular surface 918. Second end 934 has a diameter that is larger than annular surface 918 such that second end 934 extends radially outward from annular surface 918. Tapered surface 916 extends radially outward from penetrator 924.

Projectile 910 has a cover 936 that is substantially similar to cover 16 described above except that cover 936 has a lower surface 938 that is shaped to abut the tapered surface 916 of carrier 912. A portion of cover 936 is positioned between the second end 934 of penetrator 924 and carrier 912 to retain cover 936 in place in a similar manner as discussed above for projectile 10.

When fired from a firearm, projectile 10 preferably can penetrate hard objects, such as the hide, bone, and muscle of large game, and reinforced objects, which may include bullet resistant glass and conventional body armor made from woven fibers such as evlar^® aramid fibers or Spectra Shield^® ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. After penetrating hard objects or the reinforcement surrounding an object and entering a softer object, such as soft body tissue, projectile 10 preferably expands to create a larger wound channel within the target. For example, the target may be a person wearing body armor made from woven fibers. When the projectile 10 penetrates the body armor, passes through the body armor, and enters the soft tissue of the person, the projectile 10 expands to create a larger wound channel within the person, which will enhance the capability to incapacitate the person. If the target is large game, after projectile 10 penetrates the outer hide and any large bones adjacent thereto, the projectile enters soft tissue of the animal and expands to create a larger wound channel within the animal, which has the potential to kill the animal quicker in a more humane manner.

When projectile 10 is fired into a target surrounded by woven fiber body armor, cover 16 preferably strikes the armor first and breaks away from the remainder of projectile 10. Penetrator 14 then hits the body armor, and the body armor initially resists the impact. The carrier 12 continues to move forward toward the body armor driving the penetrator 14 into the armor. As the body armor resists penetration and exerts a force on penetrator 14 toward carrier 12 and carrier 12 moves forward, penetrator 14 causes annular ridge 35b of leading surface 32 to deform. Tip 36 of penetrator 14 then enters a void between the woven fibers of the armor as the fibers fail to engage the non-porous penetrator 14. As tip 36 advances through the armor, it ,

- 9 - spreads the fibers apart creating a hole in the armor. The fibers of the armor are pushed out of the way expanding the hole through the armor as the second section 40 of the penetrator 14 passes through the armor. The contoured ogive or conical outer surface of second section 40 facilitates the penetrator 14 passing through the armor as the second section 40 gradually expands the hole created in the armor by tip 36. Because penetrator 14 is made from a non- porous material, the body armor fibers do not engage or stick to the penetrator 14. This makes it easier for the penetrator 14 to penetrate the body armor because there is no additional resistance to penetration created by fibers engaging or sticking to the penetrator 14. Further, penetrator 14 is preferably made from a material with a high compressive strength that does not deform as the penetrator 14 passes through the armor. Minimizing deformation in penetrator 14 as it passes through the armor means that the penetrator 14 can penetrate the armor with less resistance.

After second section 40 of penetrator 14 has passed through and created a hole in the body armor, the leading surface 32 of carrier 12 reaches the body armor. Penetrator 14 preferably creates a hole in the armor that carrier 12 can pass through with minimal resistance. As carrier 12 advances through the hole in the armor created by penetrator 14, the fibers of the armor engage the leading surface 32 of carrier 12, which causes the carrier 12 to deform such that carrier 12 is no longer symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. Penetrator 14 and carrier 12 then contact the intended target protected by the armor. Because the leading surface 32 of carrier 12 has been deformed by both the penetrator 14 and the body armor, projectile 10 does not take a straight path through the soft tissue of the target. Instead, projectile 10 cants, tips, and/or wobbles due to its now unsymmetrical carrier 12. This unstable flight path through the soft body tissue causes a larger wound channel within the target than would occur if the carrier 12 was not deformed by the body armor and the projectile 10 followed a substantially straight path through the target. Further, the leading surface 32 of carrier 12 has a greater diameter than penetrator 14 such that it contacts the target and creates a larger wound channel than penetrator 14. Carrier 12 is also made of a softer material than penetrator 14 that may deform when it contacts the target to create a greater wound channel in the target. Penetrator 14 preferably penetrates standard thickness bullet resistant glass and the bone, hide, and muscle of large game animals in a similar manner as described above.

If projectile 10 is fired at an unarmored and/or relatively soft target, cover 16 will peel back when the projectile 10 strikes the target creating a large wound channel on the surface of the target. Projectile 910, shown in Fig. 6, operates in a similar manner as projectile 10 except that the tapered surface 916 of projectile 910 enhances the ability of carrier 912 to penetrate a hard object, such as body armor or bullet resistant glass. Specifically, when projectile 910 strikes typical body armor made from woven fibers, cover 936 breaks off, and penetrator 924 creates a hole in the body armor in a similar manner as described above for projectile 10. When the leading surface 914 of carrier 912 reaches the hole in the body armor, the fibers of the body armor will engage less with leading surface 914 of carrier 912 than is the case with the leading surface 32 of carrier 12 due to the tapered surface 916. Less engagement between the body armor fibers and the leading surface 914 of carrier 912 means that the leading surface 914 deforms less than the leading surface 32 of carrier 12 as the carrier 912 passes through the hole in the body armor. Less deformation in carrier 912 means that projectile 910 will not create as large of a wound channel in the target, but also means that projectile 910 will penetrate deeper into the target. When it is necessary to penetrate very hard and/or thick targets, it may be desirable to use projectile 910 instead of projectile 10 to minimize the engagement between the target and the leading surface 914 of carrier 912 so that projectile 910 can effectively penetrate the target. The angle between the tapered surface 916 and outer surface 920 of carrier 912 may be varied depending on the desired amount of target penetration and wound channel. For example, a smaller angle (i.e., closer to 90 degrees) between tapered surface 916 and outer surface 920 may allow for less penetration but a larger wound channel, while a larger angle (i.e., closer to 180 degrees) between tapered surface 916 and outer surface 920 may allow for deeper penetration with a smaller wound channel.

Any of projectiles 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, or 810 shown in Figs. 5A-G may be used in place of projectile 10 when it is desired to create a larger wound channel within a relatively soft, unarmored target. The second section 214 of projectile 210 is more blunt than the tip of projectile 10 to create a larger wound channel when projectile 210 strikes a target. The protrusions 316a-c, 516a-b, and 616a-c extending out from projectiles 310, 510, and 610, respectively, engage soft tissue to create a larger wound channel. The sloped concave and sloped convex end surfaces of projectiles 410 and 810 may cause the projectiles to tumble, or rotate around an axis other than the longitudinal axis of the projectiles 410 and 810, when they hit a target. This rotation causes the projectiles 410 and 810 to engage a larger amount of the target creating a larger wound channel. When projectile 710 strikes soft tissue, a portion of the tissue may enter the tubular channel within projectile 710 increasing impact shock and creating a larger wound channel. From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein- above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and

subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A projectile comprising:

a carrier comprising a side wall coupled to a base, wherein the side wall and the base at least partially surround a cavity, and wherein the side wall defines an opening positioned opposite the base; and

a penetrator that is at least partially positioned within the cavity, wherein the penetrator extends from the cavity through the opening, wherein the penetrator comprises a tip that is spaced a distance from the carrier, and wherein the penetrator comprises a non-porous material.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the side wall of the carrier comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a leading surface positioned opposite the base, wherein the leading surface extends between the inner surface and the outer surface.

3. The projectile of claim 2, wherein the penetrator further comprises a first section that is at least partially positioned within the cavity, wherein the first section comprises a first diameter, wherein the penetrator comprises a second section comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises the tip, wherein the second end is coupled with the first section, and wherein the second end comprises a second diameter.

4. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the first section is cylindrical.

5. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the second section is ogive, concave, convex, sloped- concave, or sloped-convex.

6. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the penetrator further comprises an outer surface and at least one protrusion coupled to and extending outward from the outer surface.

7. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the first diameter is substantially equal to the second diameter.

8. The projectile of claim 3, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

9. The projectile of claim 8, wherein the second end of the second section at least partially abuts the leading surface of the carrier.

10. The projectile of claim 9, further comprising a cover that abuts the leading surface of the carrier, wherein the cover and the carrier encapsulate the penetrator.

11. The projectile of claim 10, wherein a portion of the cover is at least partially positioned between the second section of the penetrator and the leading surface of the carrier.

12. The projectile of claim 2, further comprising a cover that abuts the leading surface of the carrier, wherein the cover and the carrier encapsulate the penetrator.

13. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator comprises a hollow cylinder.

14. The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the penetrator comprises non-porous ceramic.

15. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises copper or brass.

16. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a disc that is positioned within the cavity between the base of the carrier and the penetrator.

17. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the penetrator comprises a compressive strength of at least 200,000 psi.