Overview

• The modified Laser-Induced Particle Impact Test moves from ~0.1 mm spheres to 0.3 mm projectiles propelled by laser-heated gas.
• SwRI reports throughput rising from roughly 30–40 tests per day to about 200 tests in an hour under full automation.
• Researchers increased laser pulse energy and refined materials and chamber design to optimize projectile acceleration.
• The approach supports scaled targets that exhibit realistic impact responses, improving relevance to conventional ballistics evaluations.
• Findings appear in the Proceedings of the 34th International Symposium on Ballistics, and SwRI is offering expanded LIPIT evaluations with further development planned.