The International Journal of Impact Engineering is established worldwide as a forum for the publication of original research work concerned with the response of structures and bodies to dynamic loads arising from exposure to blast, collision or other impact events. Topics encompassed by the journal include the elastic and plastic response of structures and bodies to impact and blast loading, terminal ballistics, vehicle crashworthiness, containment and other processes and phenomena in which effects due to impact predominate, such as explosive welding. The journal continues to go from strength to strength, and we are pleased to announce that the journal's Impact Factor for 2001 according to ISI has risen to 0.882. (Copyright: Journal Citation Reports, ISI, 2002) As the field continues to evolve, so readers of the literature require ever more flexible mechanisms to help them keep in touch with the latest developments. Responding to the requirements of our readers, the International Journal of Impact Engineering is available both in print and electronically. On the cover of this issue of the journal you will see reference to ScienceDirect, the key route for accessing the International Journal of Impact Engineering online.