Sure thing, let’s look at the physics. The kinetic energy of a projectile is ½ mv². For a 10‑gram projectile traveling at 10 km/s, that’s ½ (0.01 kg)(10,000 m/s)², which equals 50,000 J. That’s a lot of energy for such a small mass. Modern armor, like AR500 steel, can absorb about 0.5 kJ per square centimeter of impact before yielding. So if our projectile is only a few millimeters in diameter, its energy per unit area can easily exceed that threshold, causing the armor to crack or shatter. The key is not just speed but also shape and impact timing— a streamlined, pointed tip concentrates the force on a tiny spot, raising the pressure enough to puncture even thick plates. If you want a more precise estimate, we’d need the exact mass, velocity, projectile shape, and armor composition, but the numbers already suggest hyper‑velocity is a viable armor‑breaching strategy.

Indeed, the kinetic energy dominates, but we also need to account for the thermal load on the barrel and the structural integrity of the projectile. High‑speed impacts generate shock waves that can deform both the tip and the barrel if not properly designed. A material with a high melting point and good thermal conductivity, like a tungsten alloy, could mitigate back‑fire. Also, cooling channels in the barrel might be necessary to keep it tight.

Got it. The key is to keep the tip’s temperature below its melting point during impact. Tungsten or tungsten carbide has a high melting point and good strength at elevated temperatures, so it’s a solid choice. Add a cooling channel along the barrel or use a refractory liner to absorb the shock heat. Also keep the projectile mass low enough that the heat load stays manageable—if the mass is too high, the projectile itself can overheat and deform. With those tweaks, the barrel stays intact and the tip stays sharp.

That’s a high‑temperature gamble. Even with tungsten, continuous firing will eventually heat the barrel to a point where thermal expansion and creep start to soften the structural integrity. You’d need a way to dump heat between shots—maybe a quick‑cooling cycle or active water‑cooling—to keep the barrel from warping. And the tip, while robust, will still dull after a few hundred impacts. A balance between firing rate and heat management is essential, otherwise you’ll end up with a sludgy barrel and a blunt projectile.