Terminal Ballistics Explained

With ballistics, understanding the science behind a projectile’s behavior upon impact with a target — be it inanimate or living — is as crucial as mastering the skills of marksmanship. This area of study is known as “Terminal Ballistics.” For a covert operative, appreciating the nuances of terminal ballistics can be the difference between mission success and catastrophic failure.

This intel serves as a primer to guide this knowledge that extends beyond just the mechanics of firearms and ammunition. A sub-discipline of ballistics, is the study of the behavior and effects of a projectile when it hits its target.

          The Four Phases of Ballistics

To understand terminal ballistics fully, one must be aware of the entire flight path of a projectile. Ballistics can be divided into four primary phases:

Internal Ballistics

The study of the projectile’s behavior within the firearm, from the moment of ignition to the exit from the muzzle.

Transitional Ballistics

The study of the projectile’s behavior as it exits the muzzle and enters the surrounding atmosphere.

External Ballistics

The study of the projectile’s flight in the open air, affected by factors such as air resistance, wind, and gravity.

Terminal Ballistics

The study of what happens when the projectile impacts the target.

For an operative, each phase has its specific tradecraft implications, but our focus here is terminal ballistics.

          Basics of Terminal Ballistics

Upon striking the target, a projectile goes through a sequence of actions that can be categorized under terminal ballistics. These include:

Energy Transfer

Understanding the energy exchange between the projectile and the target material is paramount. The goal often is to maximize this energy transfer for desired effects, such as incapacitation in the case of live targets or material destruction.

Projectile Deformation

The projectile can deform or break apart upon hitting the target, affecting penetration depth and wounding characteristics. The design of the projectile, like hollow-point or soft-point bullets, influences this.

Wound Channels

In ballistics gel tests that mimic soft tissue, wound channels demonstrate the projectile’s path and the cavitation effect, crucial when assessing lethality.

          Types of Targets

Targets can be categorized into:

Inanimate

These include barriers like walls, vehicles, and body armor.

Animate

Primarily human or animal targets, where considerations like tissue damage and lethality are evaluated.

Understanding the intended target is crucial for selecting the right ammunition and calculating the desired terminal effects.

          Factors in Terminal Ballistics

Impact Energy

This is the kinetic energy of the projectile upon impact. Higher energy often means greater damage, but how this energy is transferred is critical.

Projectile Design

Various types of bullets are designed for different terminal effects. Hollow-points are intended to expand upon impact, transferring more energy to the target, whereas full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are more likely to pass through the target.

Penetration

In covert operations, over-penetration can be as detrimental as under-penetration. Knowing the material properties of the target aids in bullet selection.

Yaw and Fragmentation

Upon impact, bullets can yaw or turn side-on, which can lead to fragmentation. Both can cause a broader wound channel, amplifying the terminal effect.

Permanent and Temporary Cavity

The permanent cavity is the wound channel that remains after the projectile passes through, while the temporary cavity is the expansion of tissue due to transferred energy. High-speed projectiles can cause a significant temporary cavity, which may result in greater tissue damage.

          The Importance of Caliber and Ammunition Type

Caliber and ammunition type are two variables that substantially affect terminal ballistics. For example, smaller calibers like 9mm are generally less effective at transferring energy compared to larger calibers like .45 ACP, given similar projectile types and velocities.

Likewise, ammunition designed for deep penetration — such as full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds — will behave differently than expanding ammunition like hollow-points.

The Yaw Cycle

Upon impact, most projectiles experience a phenomenon known as “yaw,” which is the oscillation of the bullet as it travels through the medium. The yaw cycle can significantly affect the wound channel and energy deposit within the target.

Recognizing and understanding the yaw behavior of different types of ammunition could provide an operative with crucial insights into their efficacy for specific mission parameters.

          Tactical Implications

Understanding terminal ballistics enables operatives to make informed decisions on ammunition selection based on mission objectives and engagement scenarios.

For instance, if the mission involves a hostage rescue, frangible rounds that minimize over-penetration and collateral damage may be preferable.

Snipers, for instance, have to consider not just the ballistics for achieving a hit but also how the projectile will behave upon impact to ensure a one-shot incapacitation.

Similarly, operatives using suppressed weapons must choose ammunition that is both subsonic and effective in terminal performance, a delicate balancing act.

To excel in the field, operatives must be well-versed in the complexities of terminal ballistics. Knowing how different types of projectiles behave upon impact can be the difference between mission success and failure. Whether you’re breaching a fortified position or performing a surgical strike, understanding terminal ballistics will provide you with the tactical advantage you need to ensure your objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

While terminal ballistics may appear to be a niche subject, it has far-reaching implications in covert operations. Like any facet of tradecraft, it’s not just about the knowledge; it’s about the application of that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Adopting a deep understanding of terminal ballistics can significantly augment your toolkit as an operative, enabling you to adapt, overcome, and succeed in the field.