DETERMINING THE LETHALITY OF A HAND GRENADE AGAINST PERSONNEL TARGET USING AVAL

Abstract

Kill probability as a function of distance is important for a hand grenade since it influences the lethality and minimum safe distance when using it. Measured characterised fragmentation information was used as an input into the AVAL lethality simulation software to make predictions against personnel targets. The direct nature of engagement between the hand grenade and the personnel target make AVAL the ideal simulation code for this type of prediction, not dissimilar to the direct engagement of other warheads with more complex targets such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or fighting vehicles. The kill probability of the hand grenade was evaluated as a function of distance from the target with various orientations to achieve an average expected kill probability. From these kill probabilities it was possible to determine lethality and the safe radius for the user. It was found that the kill probability was significantly reduced by the vest of the soldier for all distances investigated.