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Hail presents a significant threat to the structural integrity of aircraft, particularly with the extensive use of foam sandwich structures in aerospace applications. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the effects of hail impact on foam sandwich structures. This paper aims to investigate the impact of ice projectiles on carbon Fiber/PMI foam sandwich structures, using both experimental and numerical simulation approaches. The gas cannon was employed to launch ice projectiles, which were then directed towards the carbon Fiber/PMI foam sandwich structures. Additionally, a numerical simulation model was developed using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software to analyse the impact of these ice projectiles. Moreover, the validity of the finite element model was confirmed through experimental verification. The study involves simulations of single-point continuous impacts of ice projectiles and multi-point simultaneous impacts on carbon Fiber/PMI foam sandwich structures, while maintaining the same total impact energy. By varying the distribution of ice projectiles, the dynamic response and damage characteristics of the target plate are analysed. Specifically, the research aims to investigative the deformation characteristics of the target plate and the energy absorption of the structure. The research results underscore the importance of considering the distribution of ice projectiles in mitigating structural damage caused by hail impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CFRP/PMI sandwich panels were experimentally studied under ice projectile impact with different incident angles and impact velocities. • The impact force of the ice projectile and the peak deformation of the target plate correlate with the ice projectile's normal velocity. • The energy absorption of the foam layer shows a quadratic positive correlation with the normal velocity of the ice projectile. The integration of composite sandwich structures in aircraft design necessitates consideration of hail impacts within aerospace applications. This investigates the dynamic response and damage characteristics of a carbon fibre/PMI foam sandwich structure under hail impact through both experimental and numerical simulation methods. These methods analyse the impact velocity, fibre panel thickness, and angle of incidence of the ice projectiles. The study establishes relationships among various parameters such as ice projectile impact force, foam absorption energy, and target plate deformation in relation to the impact velocity and angle of incidence. The damage sustained by the carbon fibre/PMI foam sandwich (CPS) structure due to ice projectile impact was systematically categorized and examined. Additionally, the effects of normal and tangential impact velocities on the target plate's dynamic response during oblique impacts were investigated. This research serves as a valuable reference for understanding the dynamic response and damage characteristics of composite foam sandwich structures subjected to ice projectile impacts, With a focus on the carbon fibre/PMI foam sandwich structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]