Patent classifications
F42B12/22
Munitions and methods for operating same
A munition includes a warhead having a warhead axis and axially opposed first and second warhead ends. The warhead includes: a tubular shock attenuation barrier including an axially extending passage extending from a first barrier end proximate the first warhead end to a second barrier end proximate the second warhead end; an explosive core charge disposed in the passage; an explosive main charge surrounding the shock attenuation barrier; projectiles surrounding the main charge; a core charge detonator; and a main charge detonator. The warhead is configured to be activated in each of a first projection mode and an alternative second projection mode. When the warhead is activated in the first projection mode, the main charge detonator detonates the main charge to thereby forcibly project the projectiles from the warhead with a first set of projection velocities and velocity profile. When the warhead is activated in the second projection mode, the core charge detonator detonates the core charge proximate the first barrier end such that a core charge detonation wave propagates through the passage to the second barrier end and, at the second barrier end, the core charge detonation wave detonates the main charge to thereby forcibly project the projectiles from the warhead with a second set of projection velocities and velocity profile. The second set of projectile velocities and velocity profile is different from the first set of projectile velocities and velocity profile.
Multipurpose munition for personnel and materiel defeat
An ammunition round comprises an optimized projectile incorporating a hardened penetrator and a dual safe-fuze for a medium caliber high rate of fire round packaged into a form factor smaller than currently available multi-purpose rounds. The ammunition round incorporates a hardened segment penetrator followed by a point detonated high explosive warhead that substantially increases the terminal performance against both materiel and personnel targets. The hardened segment penetrator localizes the kinetic, energy of the projectile to increase target penetration prior to the initiation of the high explosive warhead.
Battery augmented munition
A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.
Battery augmented munition
A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.
INTERCEPTION MISSLE AND WARHEAD THEREFOR
A fragmentation warhead is provided, capable of being mounted in a carrier vehicle, the warhead having a longitudinal axis. In at least one example the warhead includes a shell that extends along the longitudinal axis. The shell includes a fixed shell portion and a fragmentation portion, and defines therebetween a cavity for accommodating therein an explosive charge. The fragmentation portion includes at least one set of serially adjacent fragments in correspondingly serially contiguous relationship in the fragmentation portion and in generally helical relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis. A corresponding carrier vehicle and a corresponding missile are also provided.
INTERCEPTION MISSLE AND WARHEAD THEREFOR
A fragmentation warhead is provided, capable of being mounted in a carrier vehicle, the warhead having a longitudinal axis. In at least one example the warhead includes a shell that extends along the longitudinal axis. The shell includes a fixed shell portion and a fragmentation portion, and defines therebetween a cavity for accommodating therein an explosive charge. The fragmentation portion includes at least one set of serially adjacent fragments in correspondingly serially contiguous relationship in the fragmentation portion and in generally helical relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis. A corresponding carrier vehicle and a corresponding missile are also provided.
Forward firing fragmentation (FFF) munition including fragmentation adjustment system and associated methods
The forward firing fragmentation (FFF) munition includes a body, a flight system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the munition in flight, and a warhead carried by the body and including an explosive configured to detonate and expel fragments in a pattern. A near field barrier (near field barrier), such as the guidance system, is carried by the body in front of the warhead and communicatively coupled via a communication link to the flight system. A fragmentation adjustment system is configured to physically displace the near field barrier relative to the warhead while maintaining the communication link between the near field barrier and the flight system until detonation of the explosive.
Forward firing fragmentation (FFF) munition including fragmentation adjustment system and associated methods
The forward firing fragmentation (FFF) munition includes a body, a flight system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the munition in flight, and a warhead carried by the body and including an explosive configured to detonate and expel fragments in a pattern. A near field barrier (near field barrier), such as the guidance system, is carried by the body in front of the warhead and communicatively coupled via a communication link to the flight system. A fragmentation adjustment system is configured to physically displace the near field barrier relative to the warhead while maintaining the communication link between the near field barrier and the flight system until detonation of the explosive.
Warhead
Warhead (1) comprising a tubular structure comprising: a front end (15) and a front region (2) adjoining the front end (15); a rear end (14) and a rear region (3) adjoining the rear end (14); a central axis (11) connecting the front end (15) and the rear end (14); a wall portion (4); and a central cavity (6), whereby the outer wall portion (4) tapers in the front region (2) and comprises fragments (7; 9) in the rear region (3) and the tubular structure in the rear region (3) comprises a generally cylindrical portion (12) and a generally conical portion (13) relative to the central axis.
Warhead
Warhead (1) comprising a tubular structure comprising: a front end (15) and a front region (2) adjoining the front end (15); a rear end (14) and a rear region (3) adjoining the rear end (14); a central axis (11) connecting the front end (15) and the rear end (14); a wall portion (4); and a central cavity (6), whereby the outer wall portion (4) tapers in the front region (2) and comprises fragments (7; 9) in the rear region (3) and the tubular structure in the rear region (3) comprises a generally cylindrical portion (12) and a generally conical portion (13) relative to the central axis.