Scalable parallel computation of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs)

Under the DoD High Performance Computer Modernization Program, the ARDEC Energetics and Warheads Division has successfully developed and demonstrated scalable parallel warhead mechanics modeling of an advanced explosively formed penetrator (EFP) warhead device. Warhead development commonly uses advanced computer modeling which can take extreme amounts of computer time. The recent application of scalable parallel computers has demonstrated the capability to achieve approximately a 120 times speed-up of EFP warhead modeling. Speed-ups were demonstrated using modeling of a copper lined EFP anti-armor warhead using the PCTH computer program on a number of multiple processor computers including a 256 node IBM SP2, 128 node Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 and smaller multiple processor Silicon Graphics workstations. This pioneering work clearly demonstrates the feasibility of applying parallel computers for warheads development.