A projectile for penetrating hardened targets is provided to include a shell having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to an impact surface of the target; and a plurality of penetrator elements disposed in tandem in the shell along the longitudinal axis. The penetrator elements may be composed of ceramic, which has high compressive strength relative to most metals. Selected portions of the penetrator may be composed of heavy metals. The penetrator elements may be separated from each other by gaps, which may be filled with foam or other shock-absorbing material. An alternate projectile provides a unitary penetrator element composed of ceramic.