Motion characteristics after ricochet: an experimental investigation

The ricochet behaviour of the air–water trans-media vehicle (AWTMV) during water-entry crossing was experimentally investigated. Three types of small-scale AWTMV including cone, ogive, and flat nose were used in the test. The underwater trajectory, velocity, and inclination angle of projectiles during the ricochet process were obtained using a high-speed camera. The angle change of the AWTMV and the ratio of the residual velocity are introduced. Based on this result, the relationship between the ricochet responses and initial conditions was derived. The results of this study show that (1) a small incident angle and great velocity make the occurrence of ricochet behaviour easier, (2) the stability of the trajectory of projectiles with cone, ogive, and flat nose weakened in turn at the same initial conditions, (3) the angle change and the ratio of the residual velocity are linear functions of the incident angle and velocity.