DE102012021671A1 - Warhead for combating arms-carrying missile in encounter situation, has annular arrangement of radially acting hollow charges, which is arranged on periphery of warhead, where hollow charges are initiated by central ignition device - Google Patents

Abstract

The warhead has an annular arrangement of radially acting hollow charges, which is arranged on the periphery of the warhead, where the hollow charges are initiated by a central ignition device, and each of the hollow charges has a stimulus for initiating a nuclear warhead. An annular arrangement of radially acting linear cutting cord is arranged on the periphery of the warhead and is initiated by a central ignition device.

Description

0. Abbreviations / Definitions

B

Biologisch

C

Chemisch

EFI

Exploding Foil Initiators (schneller, präziser Detonator)

FK

Flugkörper

GK

Gefechtskopf

HL

Hohlladung

HEMP

High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

KV

Kill Vehicle (Abfangflugkörper)

KE

Kinetic Energy (Kinetische Ernergie)

LE

Lethality Enhancer (Wirkungsverstärker des GK)

M

Missile (Flugkörper)

MVW

Massenvernichtungswaffen

N

Nuclear (Nuklear)

RAM

Rockets/Artillery Munition/Mortars (Raketen, Artilleriemunition, Mörser)

RV

Reentry Vehicle (GK/Ladung des SICBM/TBM)

SAU

Safe and Arming Unit (Sicherungseinrichtung)

SICBM

Strategic Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (Strategischer interkontinentaler ballistischer FK)

SM

Schwermetall

TBM

Tactical Ballistic Missile (Taktischer ballistischer FK)

W/H

Warhead (GK)

Remark: many use in the TBM / RAM defense Acronyms and abbreviations come from the English-speaking area and are usually translated untranslated into German.

B

biological

C

chemical

EFI

Exploding Foil Initiators (fast, precise detonator)

FK

missile

GK

warhead

HL

shaped charge

HEMP

High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

KV

Kill Vehicle (interceptor missile)

KE

Kinetic Energy (Kinetic Energy)

LE

Lethality Enhancer (Enhancer of GK)

M

Missile (Missile)

WMD

Weapons of mass destruction

N

Nuclear (nuclear)

R.A.M.

Rockets / Artillery Ammunition / Mortars (rockets, artillery ammunition, mortars)

RV

Reentry Vehicle (GK / charge of the SICBM / TBM)

SAU

Safe and Arming Unit

SICBM

Strategic Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (Strategic Intercontinental Ballistic FK)

SM

heavy metal

TBM

Tactical Ballistic Missile (Tactical Ballistic FK)

W / H

Warhead (GK)

1. State of the art

• • SICBM
• • RAM

unzureichend. Begründung: Currently the defense of:

• • SICBM
• • RAM

insufficient. Reason:

SICBM defense

SICBMs have a long range (some 1000 km) and reach on their trajectory very high heights of some 100 km ("Upper Tier", Exo-Atmospheric, atmospheric limit at about 80 km altitude: Mesopause). These FKs usually carry nuclear warheads (atomic bombs) as a charge, which are then detonated in the target area at low altitude (some 100 m).

Instead of nuclear warheads (strategic weapons), it is also possible to transport cargo alternatives (tactical weapons), which are more likely to be used for short ranges and low altitudes (TBMs). Such tactical warheads are conventional WMV with B / C agents (C-agents in submunitions, B-agents in Bomblets).

To ward off opposing SICBMs, which have already separated their drive stages and consist only of the so-called Reentry Vehicle (RV) with their Wirkladung, it is tried, these RVs at high altitudes - in the middle phase of their flight - with an interceptor missile, a so-called Kill Vehicle (KV), to hit directly (direct hit) and destroy it as far as possible.

However, achieving a direct hit is a difficult task, as the relative speed of encounter (see, eg. ) between KV and RV is typically between 5 to 10 km / s. Despite improved seeker technology and maneuverability, it is not always possible to hit the opposing RV at all, or rather rarely hit it optimally (in the "sweet spot": expansion only a few 10 cm) - one then speaks of "Miss / Near Miss" ( with "Miss Distances") - that is from mistakes and shelves. To remedy this situation, "effect enhancers", so-called "Lethality Enhancers (LE)" were developed. For the TBM defense in the lower flight altitude (within the atmosphere), where the encounter situations are not so extreme, a KE-Stab warhead (KE-Rod W / H), for example, has become the appropriate response to this threat. In a near miss, these bars are ejected in the direction of the TBM, thus closing the gap between intercepting FK and TBM. The sticks get their KE from the speed of encounter and destroy the B / C charges (submunition or bomblets) when hitting and perforating.

Such KE-Rod W / H Lethality Enhancers are designed for Lower Tier and are not optimized for the SCCBM (Upper Tier) threat from the Exo atmosphere.

RAM-defense

The RAM threat is totally different to the SICBM threat - the inventive solutions for the problems described below, in the form of a defense-effective system but are very similar and should therefore be considered in this invention.

Field camp protection in "out-of-area" operations of the Bundeswehr is an important topic. Such camps are threatened by RAM bullets from the outside by these bullets are fired toward field camp. RAM bullets are much smaller than SICBM RVs. They usually exist from a relatively thick metal shell (eg 15-20 mm thick steel and more) filled with conventional explosive charge (mostly TNT or TNT bonded charges).

The current defense is based on splinter GKs or preformed splinters, which, as such, face RAM ammunition. The maximum speed of the splinters is relatively low at just under 2000 m / s. A slight increase can be experienced by the relative speed of encounter of up to several 100 m / s.

The goal of the defense is to largely destroy such RAM bullets, the most optimal to detonate the explosive charge. Since the necessary "stimulus" for such an initiated detonation is proportional to v ² d (v = splinter / projectile velocity, d = fragment / projectile diameter), but the velocity v is relatively low, this is only possible in rare cases Cases, for example, where the envelope thickness of RAM ammunition is only a few millimeters and made of aluminum. Since the splinters / projectiles always hit at a more or less large angle (on the metal shell, also the distance to be penetrated (often called "line of sight" LOS) is proportional to 1 / cos α and thus significantly higher than the shell wall thickness itself. For example, it is twice as high at α = 60 °, that is to say from, for example, a wall thickness of 20 mm then becomes 40 mm LOS.

Such thick sheaths / routes are far too big for splinters to be able to perforate them. The result is that no detonation is triggered and thus the RAM projectile strikes in the field camp, where it represents a great danger as a bullet in an undefined state.

2nd problem

• • SICBM
• • RAM

unzureichend.As the state of the art showed, the defense against:

• • SICBM
• • RAM

insufficient.

The presented invention is intended to take this circumstance into account and to provide means of action which can defend both threats satisfactorily.

3rd solution

For both problem areas, solutions are proposed which lead to a substantial improvement of the threat defense. The core of the defense agents is a shaped charge (HL) or derivatives of such a charge. In both cases an explosive charge should be initiated, for which - as indicated above - a stimulus v ² d is needed (v = spike speed, d = spike diameter).

HL stingers (unlike splinters) are characterized by an extremely high spiked tip speed of typically 8-10 km / sec. In the stimulus, this velocity is still squared (v ² d) and thus further increased.

Typically, hollow charge inserts use copper (Cu) since, in addition to the high density (> = 8.93 g / cm ³ ), it also has a high ductility which is good for the formation of a long straight HL stub which can be used to combat Pz-steel (hard targets like tanks) needs. Since in this application, however, it is not predominantly the perforation capability of thick Pz steel sheaths, other materials should also be used. If the density of the HL insert varies, the stimulus should also take into account this density with v ² d - experiments have shown this. It is therefore clear that heavy metals SM (eg molybdenum Mo, tungsten W, tantalum Ta) can further increase the initiating ability. Thus, if the following discussion is predominantly and exemplary of copper spikes, Cu is only mentioned as representative and heavy metals are always included as a deposit material.

Accumulated HL sting are very long (typically 1-2 m) and have very good perforation capacity due to their high spiked speed, which nevertheless allows easy penetration of thick and hard metal sheaths and target materials.

All these features will be exploited below in an advantageous manner.

3.1 SICBM Defense

shows the cross-section of a typical Reentry vehicle (RV) equipped with a nuclear warhead. Strategic RVs carry almost without exception nuclear warheads, which are constructed according to the so-called implosion principle (schematic diagram in ). As the (left) shows in principle, such nuclear warheads from a thick outer explosive layer and an inner centric hollow sphere of nuclear fuel (typically plutonium Pu). Further details such as reflectors, tamper, etc. should not be discussed here, since they do not play any role in the working principle of the defense GK to be described. The nuclear warhead can not usually be protected by additional hard protective layers (eg, metal sheaths), since reducing the total mass is an extremely important design criterion of SICBM.

The ignition of a nuclear warhead is done by the outer explosive charge is very precisely and above all brought to extremely symmetrical detonation and collapse the centric fissile hollow sphere and thereby highly compressed the fissile ( right). As a result of this compression, the fissile exceeds its critical mass, which sets in motion a nuclear chain reaction: the atomic bomb is ignited. Of extreme importance is therefore the spherical symmetry of the detonation of the outer explosive charge. This is achieved in addition to additional integrated so-called explosive lenses, mainly by the use of a very high number of ignition points (typically: early ~ 30 ignition points, today rather ~ 90 ignition points), equipped with extremely fast EFI detonators, which have very low Zündverzugszeiten. If the compression of the fission material is not symmetrical enough, there will be no ignition of the nuclear chain reaction.

• • eine Kettenreaktion des Spaltstoffes bleibt aus
• • der Spaltstoff wird durch die Detonation fein zerlegt und beim Eintritt in die Atmosphäre weiter stark verteilt, so dass am Boden keine Kontamination stattfindet
• • es kommt nicht zu einem elektromagnetischen Puls, ausgelöst durch eine Zündung der Atombombe: „High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse” (HEMP)
• • die Sprengladung ist unschädlich gemacht

The non-symmetric initiation of the external explosive charge is the starting point of the present disclosure of the invention for the system of action of a LE. As stated above, the initiation of the explosive charge can easily be triggered by HL sting. At the same time, the problem of "near misses", ie the storage (typically a maximum of <1 meter) in the KV / LV encounter is solved. An HL sting can easily bridge such gaps. Numerous studies on HL-spike initiation of conventional TNT as well as plastic-bound explosive charges showed which stimulus is necessary to safely initiate such explosive charges. The results obtained can be used to interpret the HL accordingly. In the following, therefore, it is not intended to deal in detail with the design of the HL, but rather on their arrangement, so that at least one HL spiked bullet is guaranteed in the RV target. Such an HL spiked hit triggers a one-point initiation in the explosive charge and thus generates an extremely (maximum) asymmetric detonation - this is thus an optimal defense of the SICBM nuclear warhead. Asymmetric initiation thus offers the following advantages:

• • a chain reaction of the fissile remains
• • The fission material is finely disintegrated by the detonation and further distributed when entering the atmosphere, so that no contamination takes place on the ground
• • there is no electromagnetic pulse triggered by an atomic bomb ignition: "High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse" (HEMP)
• • the explosive charge is rendered harmless

Also alternative (but very unlikely because massive or technologically difficult) nuclear fission arrangements such as the cannon principle (two subcritical fissile masses are fired at each other and thus critical) or the thermonuclear arrangement (an implosion bomb ignites a thermonuclear reactions) always contain conventional explosives, by HL-sting can be detonated and thus in turn makes the whole nuclear warhead harmless.

Strategic Nuclear Warheads

In a direct hit of the RVs not only the complete structure of the nuclear warhead destroyed and thus rendered harmless. The challenge is to bridge them in the event of non-hits with trays and to place at least one hit of a HL-spike in the nuclear warhead in all possible encounter situations.

Conventional tactical B / C warheads

It was mentioned above that although it is unlikely but still possible that B / C-MVW (submunitions or bomblets) can be carried in the RV. Also in this case, the shaped to be described shaped charges are ignited. In encounters with trays follows the following: the spines have a high speed in the radial direction of up to 10 km / sec. Vector added is a more or less axial relative velocity component of 5-10 km / sec. This causes the spikes to cause longitudinal cuts in the outer sheath of the RVs. This effect can be further enhanced by asymmetric HL initiations, with consequent whip- or fan-shaped spines (see below). Upon re-entry into the atmosphere, this causes the shell to be completely ripped open and the submunitions / bomblets ejected. Due to the thermal heating (air resistance) they are destroyed.

In addition to the primary task of igniting explosive charges in strategic nuclear warheads, the impact systems presented below also have the secondary task of slicing casings on conventional tactical B / C warheads.

exemplifies an encounter situation between a Kill Vehicle (KV) and an opposing Reentry Vehicle (RV), in exo-atmospheric space. There is no direct hit, but both FK have a filing ("Miss Distance") on each other. The shaped charge sting of a hollow charge integrated into the KV bridges this deposit to the enemy RV and thus detonates its conventional explosive charge of a nuclear warhead.

In the following, possible arrangements of hollow charges are presented, which fulfill the stated task of initiating an explosive charge of a nuclear warhead. In each case, both target categories: nuclear and B / C pitchhead are to be discussed. The inventive genius of a designer is left to further advantageous and not shown embodiments.

HL-ring assembly

shows an example of an annular arrangement of individual shaped charges, which are controlled by a safety device ("Safe and Arming Unit" = SAU). This can be realized for example by detonation cords, or by electrical lines with subsequent ignition chains. The design of the individual HLs is done in such a way that each spine has a stimulus v ² d (see above) sufficient to initiate the conventional nuclear warfare of the nuclear warhead. The number n gives the spatial coverage with respect to the circumference of 360 ° / n ( ) through the individual HL sting - in our example with 12 HLs results in a cover angle of 360 ° / 12 = 30 °. Depending on the expected ("Miss Distance") and spatial size of the RV, it can thus be estimated whether the RV is hit and initiated by at least one sting. The interaction of these individual requirements results in a more or less necessary number of HLs in the ring arrangement. If required, further (two or more) of such HL-rings in the KV axis can be arranged parallel to each other and twisted in the azimuth (circumferential angle), so that an optimal and complete angle coverage can be achieved.

HL ring assembly with asymmetric HL initiation

In order to further increase the degree of spatial coverage at the circumference, the HLs of the ring arrangement can also be initiated in a targeted manner-by means of corresponding HL initiation systems-instead of symmetrically asymmetrically (single / double) ( ). From the HL-technology are such spiky forms as they shows, quite familiar and well-known. By means of an axially staggered single initiation, for example, a whip-shaped HL sting can be generated. In a simultaneous axially offset double initiation fanning the two whip spike and form a Fächerstachel.

The shaped charges should be designed slightly larger and equipped with appropriate initiation systems. In this way, not only the angular coverage in the circumferential direction and thus the probability of a sting hit of the opposing explosive charge (primary task) grows, but the shell of the opposing RVs is also slashed even more (secondary task for conventional B / C charges).

Additional Mechansiche devices

Looking at the exemplary encounter situation in it becomes clear that aligning the HL-spine axis with the target may be helpful. That is, the shaped charges in the and , or at least some of them, could be pivotally integrated in both HL-axes (horizontally, vertically) (for example, by known techniques such as gimbals / gimbals and the like - they are not sketched in the figures), so as to be flexible To further increase targeting and accuracy. In addition, ejection techniques are known from HL technology where entire shaped charges are accelerated axially toward the target.

All of these sometimes well-known mechanical precautions and measures can be additionally used here to ensure the fulfillment of the task: target explosive charge initiation and / or target enclosure decommissioning safely.

HL-cutting string concept

In were the individual shaped charges of replaced by a continuous cutting cord load. Cutting cords are also known from HL technology and are used for linear shearing of, for example, containers or structures. Here a suitably designed linear separating cord was formed into a ring. Instead of a HL-sting, this results in a two-dimensional projectile, which forms along the cutting line. In this way one achieves - almost at close range with low RV target trays - an almost complete coverage of the peripheral angle. Any desired configurations of such a cutting cord system are conceivable. In the example of the thickness of the explosive disc is tapered towards the middle to save explosive. In the middle sits again a SAU which initiates the explosive disk - as indicated in the cross-sectional diagram. It can also be expanded again here, several parallel cutting cord rings to a whole cutting string system.

Alternatively, you can also put this cutting cord ring from individual linear cutting cord segments, as in indicated by an example. Here is the formation of the corresponding HL-Jet segment outlined.

Hexagon Kalottenkonzept

Another possibility for achieving a particularly high density of HL spikes is to form a thin metal shell (a few millimeters, preferably copper Cu) with hexagonal domes ( Left). These hexagonal calottes, for example, could be made by embossing technology. on the right presents a CAD design of such an embossed case. The shell is filled with explosives. When detonated, each hexagon dome creates a HL sting. The hexagon shape makes it possible to pack the entire shell densely with hexagons to achieve maximum HL spine density. Depending on the size of the KV and its spatial condition, this embossing sheath may be the same / similar diameter as the KV itself. In general, however, the KV will be so large that it is more likely to form a ring that is recessed in the center of the explosive charge remains and occupies only the periphery of the KV.

One could also imagine the front of a CT filled with a half-shell-shaped structure, as in is indicated. Here, the metal shell (preferably Cu) is again executed with embossed hexagonal calottes. In this case, the HL spines form into a complete half space of the front KV area. This embodiment is certainly particularly well suited for frontal encounter situations.

Frontal shaped charge

For the particular case of frontal encounter situations, where one is quite sure to score a direct hit, it makes sense to position a larger shaped charge in the front of the KV, as in indicated. A direct hit usually triggers no detonation of the conventional explosive charge, but destroys this only structurally, with the disadvantage of possible nuclear contamination on the ground, as certainly larger debris of the fission material remain. On the other hand, with the frontal HL sting you can be sure to initiate the explosive charge.

If one does not expect completely central direct hits, but rather those with a slight drop ("grazing"), then the shaped charge can also be equipped with asymmetric initiation systems (see above), which then form "more flat" spikes (examples are again in sketched) and thus apply the explosive charge of the enemy RV in any case with spiky particles and bring them to detonation.

In RVs with conventional B / C charges, such whip, fan, etc., spikes can significantly better damage / cut the RV shell structure so that these structures and the submunitions / bomblets will not survive re-entry into the atmosphere.

Frontal hollow charge with emergency ignition (salvage fuzing)

Another important aspect is noted for such frontal encounter situations:
Enemy RVs with nuclear warheads may be equipped with detection / detonator systems that allow for salvage fuzing. The RV recognizes in this case that it is on a collision course with a KV and triggers prematurely (before it is hit by the KV), z. B. via a distance sensor, the detonation of the explosive charge of the nuclear warhead. Even though the pressure effect on the ground is low to minimal, this at least leads to a dangerous "High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse" (HEMP), which should be avoided.

Here can also help a frontal shaped charge. In a collision course, the vector of the relative velocity between KV and RV is almost parallel to the vector of the KV velocity and thus to the HL axis. The relative velocity in the Exo atmosphere reaches orders of magnitude of 5-10 km / sec (see above). The spike speed is ~ 10 km / sec and above (the HL can be designed for peak speed). In collision course you can add both speeds ( ) and thus obtains total spiked speeds of up to 15-20 km / sec.

If the HL sting penetrates into the opposing conventional explosive charge, it propagates in the explosive charge with the crater ground speed u:

If one sets typical values for the target density (explosive charge) and the projectile density (copper), then from the spiked tip velocities of v = 15-20 km / sec crater ground velocities of at least u = 10-14 km / sec - this is considerably higher than the detonation velocities of typical explosive charges of D ~ 8 km / sec. Ie. even if the RV has initiated an emergency ignition and thus a symmetric detonation, a fast sting can still overtake the detonation front and turn the symmetric into an asymmetric detonation. Thus, the symmetrical collapse of the cleavage material is prevented, which also prevents the start of a chain reaction. At the very least, this is expected to severely curtail nuclear bomb capability.

3.2 RAM defense

The main differences between SICBM defense and RAM defense (concerning the concept of action only) are the thicker steel casings of RAM ammunition (see above), the much smaller dimensions of both missile missiles and target missiles and their much smaller ones encounter speeds. The latter result in fact that the relatively low relative speeds (maximum of a few 100 m / sec) can not be exploited to accelerate outgoing splinters further to be able to penetrate thicker steel casings of RAM ammunition. Finally, the smaller installation space limits the application of HL active concepts developed under the SICBM defense to a large extent.

• • Hexagon-Kalottenkonzept
• • HL-Schneidschnurkonzept

an.It is therefore advantageous to use the two concepts:

• • Hexagon dome concept
• • HL cutting cord concept

at.

Hexagon Kalottenkonzept

The Hexogen dome concept as described above under SICBM Defense and in the and sketched, can also be seamlessly applied to the RAM defense. Of course, the shell diameters and dome sizes must be adjusted from the SICBM orders of magnitude to the RAM threat. The high barb density (radial or in the front half space) helps to hit the RAM target with at least one sting. On the other hand, since the spiked top speed (~ 8 km / s) on the one hand and the relative velocity between RAM ammunition and defensive FK (a few 0.1 km / sec) are very different, the stinging hits the near ("parallel") flyby (direct hits are included) RAM rather unlikely) more or less perpendicular to the RAM shell, penetrate this without any difficulty and initiate the underlying charge - the task is fulfilled.

HL-cutting string concept

In contrast to the described approach in the SICBM defense ( and ) lends itself here to arrange cutting cords over the entire shell wall length of the defense FKs along.

Analogous to the embossing technology in the hexagonal calottes, one can also here the cylinder section of the active part metal shell with rotationally symmetric notched metal inserts (preferably made of copper) provided (cross-sectional sketch in ), which in the detonation of the explosive charge, initiated by central booster, act like cords and produce fast metal jets (analogous to those in , and indicated in the cross-section of ). These metal jets have a high density so that at least one of them meets the RAM ammunition and safely initiates it.

Claims (3)

A warhead for combating a weapon-carrying missile in a encounter situation comprising at least one arranged on the periphery of the warhead annular arrangement at least radially acting shaped charges, which are initiated by a central ignition device, each of which has at least one stimulus for initiating a nuclear warhead. A warhead for combating a weapon-carrying missile in a encounter situation comprising at least one arranged on the circumference of the warhead annular arrangement of an at least radially acting linear cutting cord, which is initiated by means of a central ignition device. A warhead for combating a weapon-carrying missile in a encounter situation comprising at least one arranged at the periphery of the warhead plurality of adjacent and at least radially acting hexagonal and made of metal existing domes and at least one arranged in the interior of the warhead explosive charge.

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