MODULAR SCALABLE EFFECT MUNITION

Abstract

Provided is a modular directional charge system that can be assembled in different configurations depending on the target. The system includes a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, a removable fragmentation insert, a removable breaching insert, an initiator well insert, and initiator adapter nuts. The main body comprises an internal energetic material receiving compartment, a first and second tripod mount, a threaded adapter, and a pair of pin receivers, while the front cover comprises an internal removable insert compartment. The main body and front cover are held together with a multi-position adjustable toothed locking interface that adjustably permits the cover to intimately contact the energetic material when the internal removable insert compartment contains a fragmentation insert, a breaching insert, or no insert at all. A method of use is also provided.

Claims

1. A modular directional charge system comprising: a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, one or more removable inserts, an initiator well insert, and one or more initiator adapter nuts; said main body further comprising a top, a bottom, a rear side, an internal energetic material receiving compartment, a first tripod mount on said top, a second tripod mount on said bottom, a threaded adapter and a pair of pin receivers on said rear side; said front cover further comprising an internal removable insert compartment; wherein said main body and said front cover are held together with a multi-position adjustable toothed locking interface that adjustably causes said cover to intimately contact said energetic material when said internal removable insert compartment contains a fragmentation insert, a breaching insert, or no insert.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more removable inserts is selected from the group consisting of a rubber door breaching insert, a steel plate fragmentation enhancing insert, and a training plate comprising a visual/audible indication of successful initiation.

3. A method of using a modular directional charge comprising: providing a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, one or more removable inserts, an initiator well insert, an initiator insert, and one or more initiator adapter nuts; inserting said removable insert into said front cover; threading said initiator well insert into said plastic shell, cutting a length of said energetic material and inserting said energetic material into said main body; tightly packing said energetic material around said well insert and uniformly packing the energetic material with a C4 tool; affixing said front cover to said main body by compressing until firmly seated; selecting said adapter nut, removing said initiator well insert from said main body, inserting said initiator insert into said adapter nut, and threading said adapter nut onto said initiator well.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said method further comprises providing a rubber door breaching insert, a steel plate fragmentation enhancing insert, and a training plate comprising a visual/audible indication of successful initiation.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said one or more removable inserts is selected from the group consisting of a rubber door breaching insert, a steel plate fragmentation enhancing insert, and a training plate comprising a visual/audible indication of successful initiation.

6. A modular directional charge system comprising: a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, and one or more removable inserts; said front cover further comprising an internal removable insert compartment; wherein said main body and said front cover are held together with an interface that adjustably causes said cover to intimately contact said energetic material and said removable insert.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said main body further comprising a top, a bottom, a rear side, an internal energetic material receiving compartment, a first tripod mount on said top, a second tripod mount on said bottom, a threaded adapter and a pair of pin receivers on said rear side.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said system further comprises a rubber door breaching insert, a steel plate fragmentation enhancing insert, and a training plate comprising a visual/audible indication of successful initiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of the components of the modular directional charge system.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the front side of the molded plastic shell.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the rear side of the molded plastic shell.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the interior of the molded plastic shell.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating the method of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

[0018] Generally, disclosed is a modular directional charge system that includes a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, a removable fragmentation insert, a removable breaching insert, an initiator well insert, one or more initiator adapter nuts, and an energetic material packing tool. The main body comprises an internal energetic material receiving compartment, a first and second tripod mount, a threaded adapter, and a pair of pin receivers. The front cover comprises an internal removable insert compartment. The main body and front cover are held together with a multi-position adjustable toothed locking interface that adjustably permits the cover to intimately contact the energetic material and removable insert (if present).

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of the components of the modular directional charge system. The primary component is a molded plastic shell comprising a main body 101 and front cover 102. The main body 101 and front cover 102 are held together by an adjustable toothed securing mechanism (shown below) that allows the front cover 102 to securely hold the various materials in intimate contact with an energetic material 103. The plastic shell is designed to be loaded with an energetic material 103, such as one quarter of a standard M112 block of C4 explosive. The various components can be assembled in different configurations depending on the target. One example is a rubber insert 104 that can be used to breach doors or walls. Another is a steel plate insert 105 that is designed to enhance fragmentation, thus providing an anti-personnel mode. Additionally, the use of the loaded plastic shell without an insert to provide an overpressure blast to structures or barricaded enemy combatants is also contemplated. Appliques for training purposes 106 that provide a visual/audible indication of successful initiation may also be included, or a separate trainer device may be provided.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the front side of the molded plastic shell 201. The front cover 102 can include markings that are found on a typical directional charge, such as “Front Toward Enemy”. While the inventive device resembles a miniature version of the standard M18A1 Claymore munition, it differs in multiple ways. Unlike the Claymore, it is not loaded with energetic material until the user is ready to deploy it. A conventional Claymore that is known and used is preassembled and provided to a user in a ready-to-use configuration. The inventive device can be customized with a desired insert and/or type and/or quantity of energetic material. Once the desired materials are inserted into the main body 101, the front cover is secured in position and the device is used in a similar manner to a standard Claymore munition. Also shown are the initiator well inserts 202 and initiator adapter nuts 203.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the rear side of the molded plastic shell 201. The main body 101 further comprises a top, a bottom, a rear side, an internal energetic material receiving compartment (shown below), a first tripod mount 301 on the top, a second tripod mount 302 on the bottom, a threaded adapter 303 and a pair of pin receivers 304 on the rear side. The first and second tripod mounts 301, 302 allow the inventive device to be set up for use in a variety of ways by permitting attachment of a standard tripod in various locations. The threaded adapter 303 permits the use of various initiation methods that are well understood in the art. Mount types include: tripod, Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, magnetic mount, molle, and the like. The pair of pin receivers 304 allows for the insertion of one or more U-Pins to enable two or more plastic shells 201 to be linked together. Alternately, straps or zip ties can be inserted through the pin receivers 304 for use with alternate attachment means.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the interior of the molded plastic shell 201. The main body 101 comprises an internal energetic material receiving compartment 401 designed to be loaded with an energetic material 103, such as one quarter of a standard M112 block of C4 explosive. A major advantage of C4 is that it can easily be molded into any desired shape, such as the energetic material receiving compartment 401. C4 is very stable and insensitive to most physical shocks, cannot be detonated by a gunshot or by dropping, and does not explode when set on fire or exposed to microwave radiation. Since detonation can only be initiated by a combination of extreme heat and a shockwave, such as when a detonator is inserted into it and fired, the components of the inventive device can be transported in an inert manner prior to assembly. As can be appreciated, inert transport of the device reduces the chance on inadvertent initiation.

[0023] The front cover 102 comprises an internal removable insert compartment 402 for receiving a plate 403, such as a rubber applique for breaching doors or walls, a steel plate that enhances fragmentation, and the like. The main body 101 and front cover 102 are held together with a multi-position adjustable toothed locking interface 404 that adjustably permits the front cover 102 to securely hold the plate 403 in intimate contact with the energetic material 404. The locking interface 404 enables the main body 101 and front cover 102 to be secured at varying positions, which increases or decreases the internal volume of the molded plastic shell 201 depending on the contents thereof.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating the method of use. The method comprises: providing a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, one or more removable inserts, an initiator well insert, an initiator insert, and one or more initiator adapter nuts, inserting said removable insert into the front cover; threading the initiator well insert into the plastic shell, cutting a length of the energetic material and inserting the energetic material into the main body; tightly packing the energetic material around the well insert and uniformly packing the energetic material with a C4 tool; affixing the front cover to the main body by compressing until firmly seated; selecting the adapter nut, removing the initiator well insert from the main body, inserting the initiator insert into the adapter nut, and threading the adapter nut onto the initiator well.

[0025] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.