EP3918268A1

EP3918268A1 - Weapon having a deflagration igniter and method for operating such a weapon

Info

Publication number: EP3918268A1
Application number: EP20701426.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Knud Lämmle; Sönke HUCKFELDT
Original assignee: ThyssenKrupp AG; Atlas Elektronik GmbH
Current assignee: ThyssenKrupp AG; Atlas Elektronik GmbH
Priority date: 2019-01-30
Filing date: 2020-01-17
Publication date: 2021-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-17
Also published as: PL3918268T3; WO2020156833A1; CA3125375A1; US20220090886A1; DE102019201176A1; ES2942563T3; EP3918268B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a weapon and to a method for operating such a weapon. The weapon comprises an explosive charge (101), an activatable detonation igniter (109), an activatable deflagration igniter (119) and an ignition device (111). The igniting device (111) is able to activate, selectively, the detonation igniter (109) or the deflagration igniter (119). The activated detonation igniter (109) is able to bring the explosive charge (101) to detonation. The activated deflagration igniter (119) is able to bring the same explosive charge (101) to deflagration. According to the method, the ignition device (111) activates the detonation igniter (109). The activated detonation igniter (109) brings the explosive charge (101) to detonation. If a specified event occurs without the explosive charge (101) being brought to detonation by then, the ignition device (111) activates the deflagration igniter (119). The activated deflagration igniter (119) brings the explosive charge (101) to deflagration.

Description

Ordnance with a deflagration primer and method for operating such an ordnance

The invention relates to a weapon with an explosive charge and a detonator and a method for operating such a weapon.

A weapon, such as a torpedo or a naval mine, includes one

Explosive charge, such as a warhead. A detonation ignition device, in particular a detonation ignition chain, can be activated, usually after a safety release and after receiving a corresponding activation command. The activated detonation detonator detonates the explosive charge.

The situation can arise that the explosive charge e.g. cannot be detonated due to a technical error or may not be detonated due to a possible unwanted endangerment of living beings and / or objects. In both cases, the weapon must be safely neutralized without endangering living beings or objects.

The object of the invention is to provide a weapon with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method with the features of the preamble of claim 13, by means of which the weapon can be neutralized relatively safely if the explosive charge cannot or should not be detonated .

This object is achieved by a weapon with the features specified in claim 1 and a method with the features specified in claim 13. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

The weapon according to the solution includes

- an explosive charge,

an activatable detonation primer,

- An activatable deflagration primer and - an ignitor.

The igniter can selectively activate the detonation igniter or the deflagration igniter. The activated detonation primer can detonate the explosive charge. The activated deflagration primer can deflagrate the same explosive charge.

Such a weapon can be operated by the method according to the solution. The process includes the following steps:

- After receiving a detonation activation command, the igniter activates the detonation igniter.

- The activated detonation detonator detonates the explosive charge.

- If a specified event occurs without the explosive charge being detonated by then, the following steps are carried out:

- The ignitor activates the deflagration igniter.

- The activated deflagration primer brings the explosive charge to deflagration.

“Deflagration” means the process that the explosive charge burns without detonating. The combustion takes place at a speed that is lower than the speed of sound in the explosive charge. Usually that creates

Detonation detonators Pressure waves which act on the explosive charge and detonate it. The deflagration primer essentially generates heat, which acts on the explosive charge and causes it to deflagrate.

The invention achieves a significant advantage especially when the

Explosive charge, for example, cannot be detonated due to a technical error or may not be detonated due to a possible unwanted endangerment of living beings and / or objects. In many cases, the invention avoids the need to bring the weapon to a safe place and detonate the explosive charge there.

Transporting the weapon in particular can be complex and dangerous. This effort and this danger are well known through the neutralization (defusing) of unexploded ordnance from the last world war.

The invention ensures that the explosive charge is destroyed by a deliberate detonation or a deliberately induced deflagration and thereby neutralized. As a result, even if the explosive charge is not detonated, it is excluded that the explosive charge will not be in the hands of

authorized persons falls. These unauthorized persons could

Use the explosive charge accidentally (e.g. children playing or careless adults) or intentionally (e.g. criminals) in such a way that living organisms are endangered.

In many cases, the deflagration of the explosive charge causes the electronic devices, in particular the data storage devices, to be destroyed on board the weapon as a result of the resulting combustion gases and / or flames. This prevents unauthorized persons who come into possession of the remains of the deflagrated weapon by inspecting or evaluating the

electronic devices receive confidential information. In particular, it is excluded in many cases that a data storage device is read without authorization or a label is read.

The invention saves the need to provide an explosive charge or other device on board the weapon in addition to the explosive charge, which can optionally be detonated or deflagrated, to destroy an electronic device on board the weapon. The deflagration primer does not necessarily include an explosive charge. Because no additional explosive charge is required, the invention saves an additional component and thus space. Deflagration of the explosive charge releases a lot of energy, in particular chemical energy, which can destroy all electronic devices with much greater reliability than another explosive charge or other separate destructive device. The ordnance usually includes a security release facility. First of all, this security release device must be released. After the release, it is possible to trigger an activation command which activates the detonation primer. The weapon according to the solution is also preferably implemented with such a security release device.

In one embodiment, the weaponry comprises at least one electronic device and a guiding device. Deflagration of the explosive charge creates fire gases and / or flames. The guide device guides these fire gases and / or flames in the direction of the or at least one, preferably each electronic device. The guided fire gases and / or flames destroy the or each electronic device of the weapon specifically and with even greater reliability than would be the case without the guide device. As a result, a person who comes into possession of the remains of the deflagrated weapon cannot use or use the weapon or an electronic device of the weapon in an unauthorized manner.

The guide device can be designed as a purely mechanical and passive device and therefore be very reliable and no drive and none

Need monitoring.

Thanks to the guidance facility, the need to have your own is avoided

Provide destruction mechanism for the electronic device. This own destruction mechanism can fail or be activated unintentionally and destroy the electronic device. The combustion gases and / or flames that inevitably arise when the explosive charge is deflagrated, on the other hand, destroy the electronic device with a higher rate thanks to the considerably greater energy released

Security as a separate destruction mechanism for the electronic device. The guide device directs the fire gases and / or flames to the or each device.

The guiding device which directs the fire gases and / or the flames can be a special mechanical component of the weapon. In another Embodiment becomes part of a housing of the weapon during deflagration to this guide device. The housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. These two housing parts are connected to one another in a connecting part which is designed as a predetermined breaking point between the two housing parts. Deflagration of the explosive charge creates overpressure in the housing. In particular, this overpressure generated leads to the fact that this connecting part designed as a predetermined breaking point breaks. After the predetermined breaking point has broken, the first housing part is movable relative to the second housing part. As soon as the first housing part is movable, the combustion gases and / or the flames which arise during the deflagration and the resulting excess pressure cause the first housing part to actually be moved away from the second housing part. This creates a sufficiently large opening in the housing, and the second housing part acts as a component of the guide device for the fire gases and / or flames.

In one embodiment, the deflagration primer is spatially separated from the detonation primer. A mechanical barrier is preferably arranged between the deflagration ignition means and the detonation ignition means, specifically permanently or at least until the ignition device activates the detonation ignition means. After the deflagration primer is activated, this mechanical barrier reduces the risk that the detonation primer is activated and / or pressure waves from the deflagration primer form part of the detonation primer, e.g. an ignition amplifier charge, and possibly trigger a detonation. The mechanical barrier thus reduces the risk of the explosive charge being unintentionally detonated when the deflagration primer is activated. The mechanical barrier can be designed as a purely passive component and therefore does not need to be activated. The mechanical barrier can be designed as a stationary component that does not require a drive, or can be moved from a deflagration position to a detonation position.

In another embodiment, at least one component of the weapon belongs to both the detonation primer and the deflagration primer. This common component can preferably be activated by the ignitor. This configuration reduces the number of components required for the two ignition means.

In a further development of this embodiment, this common component can be operated either in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode. In detonation mode, the common component contributes to detonating the explosive charge. In deflagration mode, the common component contributes to deflagrating the explosive charge. For example, this common component can optionally be activated such that it either achieves the maximum possible effect, for example pressure waves with the maximum possible pressure, or only a reduced effect, for example essentially heat and no pressure waves or pressure waves with a significantly reduced amplitude. In detonation mode, the common component produces the maximum possible effect, in deflagration mode only the or a reduced effect.

It is also possible that the common component can optionally be moved into a deflagration position or into a detonation position, for example linearly displaced or pivoted. The common component in the deflagration position belongs to the deflagration primer, while the common component in the detonation position belongs to the detonation primer. A suitable element, for example a locking unit, preferably holds the common component in the deflagration position and prevents the common component from being moved into the detonation position unintentionally. This configuration further reduces the risk that the explosive charge detonates unintentionally. An actuator is able to transfer the common component into the detonation position, for example by the actuator unlocking the locking unit and preferably after a safety release. It is also possible that the common component is held in a rest position and later moved to either the detonation position or the deflagration position.

It is possible for the weapon to comprise a single primer which functions both as the detonation primer and as the deflagration primer. This the only means of ignition can be operated as a whole either in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode or can be moved optionally into a deflagration position or into a detonation position. In this embodiment, too, the igniter can activate this single igniter.

A configuration with two different modes for the common component can be combined with a configuration with two different positions for the same common component. This combination further increases the certainty that the explosive charge is not detonated unintentionally.

In another development of the configuration with the common component, a further component of the weapon belongs only to the detonation primer, but not to the deflagration primer. When both the common component and the other component are activated, these two activated components contribute to the detonation being detonated. If only the common component is activated, but not the other component, the explosive charge is brought to deflagration.

For example, the explosive charge is detonated when the common component and the further component are activated according to a predefined chronological sequence, for example simultaneously - more precisely: in such a way that the two activation times for the two components differ from one another at most by a predefined tolerance period differentiate. The explosive charge is deflagrated if only the common component is activated.

It is possible that a controllable switch is arranged between the igniter and the further component. Depending on the position of this switch, the igniter can activate the additional component in addition to the common component, or the additional component is blocked against activation by the switch or a separate barrier. Both the detonation ignition means and the deflagration ignition means are preferably each configured as an ignition chain with several components or realized by a single ignition chain with several components. The igniter activates a first component, and one component of this ignition chain activates the subsequent component. The last component of the ignition chain detonates or deflagrates the explosive charge. The deflagration ignition means preferably comprises an ignition initiator charge and a subsequent deflagration charge.

In one embodiment, the weapon is exposed, for example placed in the water. In accordance with the solution, the ignitor of the deployed weapon activates the deflagration detonator when a predetermined event has occurred. In one embodiment, this event occurs when a deflagration activation command has been transmitted to the weapon. In another embodiment, this event has occurred if, after the event that the weapon is exposed, a predetermined period of time has passed without the explosive charge being detonated. After this period of time has elapsed, the igniter automatically activates the deflagration igniter.

The design with the time period ensures that the weapon is

automatically and automatically neutralized by the automatically generated deflagration. This desired neutralization occurs even when none

Data connection to the weapon can be established and it is therefore not possible to send an activation command to the weapon and at the same time to ensure that no other weapon is activated. Even in the event that the data connection is not possible or has been lost or interrupted, this embodiment ensures that the weapon no longer poses any danger after the time period has elapsed.

The two configurations can be combined with one another. The ignitor activates the deflagration primer when the ordnance has received a deflagration activation command or when the predetermined time has elapsed. This combination further increases the certainty that the weapon will be deflagrated in any case and will no longer cause any danger after the period at the latest.

In one embodiment, the weapon is designed for use under water, for example as an underwater barrel, e.g. as a torpedo, or as a sea mine or a space device for neutralizing sea mines. The weapon can also be a guided missile (e.g. a missile) or an unguided missile (e.g. an aerial bomb) or an anti-tank weapon or a grenade or a land mine. A weapon in the sense of the claims can be any weapon that has an explosive charge and / or is mentioned in Appendix 1 to Section 1 (1) (list of weapons of war) of the German War Weapons Control Act.

The invention can be implemented on board a weapon to ensure that the weapon is neutralized by deflagration, if the explosive charge does not detonate after the weapon has been deployed, for example due to a technical defect, or if a carrier vehicle deploys the weapon without causing it Detonation is to come. The second situation occurs, for example, when an aircraft or other aircraft carries the weapon with it and has to drop the weapon before landing so that the weight of the aircraft remains below a predetermined weight limit when it touches down on an airstrip.

The weapon according to the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. Here show:

Figure 1 schematically shows a weapon with a Flaupt explosive charge, a detonation ignition chain and a spatially completely separate deflagration ignition chain.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment from FIG. 1, the same ignition initiator charge depending on the position belonging to the detonation ignition chain or to the deflagration ignition chain; io

3 shows a further modification of the embodiment from FIG. 1, the entire ignition chain being rotatably arranged and depending on the position acting as a detonation ignition chain or as a deflagration ignition chain;

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of how the entire control electronics on board the weapon is intentionally destroyed during deflagration.

In the embodiment, the invention for a weapon in the form of an underwater barrel, e.g. a torpedo, or a guided or unguided missile. This weapon contains a main explosive charge 101, which is designed such that it is not unintentionally detonated by a shock, in particular not while the weapon is being transported to a place of use. An ignition means is therefore required which can bring the main explosive charge 101 to an intended detonation. According to the solution, the weapon also comprises an ignition means which is capable of deflagrating the main explosive charge 101. In the event of deflagration, the main explosive charge 101 burns off, with flames and combustion gases generally being generated without the main explosive charge 101 detonating.

The following further components of this weapon are shown schematically in FIG. 1:

a detonation ignition device in the form of a detonation ignition chain 109, which is able to detonate the main explosive charge 101,

a deflagration ignition device in the form of a deflagration ignition chain 119 which is able to bring the main explosive charge 101 to a deflagration in which the main explosive charge 101 burns off without detonating,

an igniter in the form of an igniter electronics 111, which is designed as an electronic component on a circuit board, and

a passive mechanical barrier 123 between the detonation ignition chain 109 and the deflagration ignition chain 119.

Detonation squib 109 includes

an initiator charge (detonator) 107, - A stage 1 charge with the designation 105 and

- A stage 2 ignition amplifier charge, designated 103.

The deflagration squib 119 includes

an ignition initiator charge (deflagrator) 117 and

a deflagration charge 121.

The igniter electronics 111 can optionally control the detonation ignition chain 109 or the deflagration ignition chain 119. If the safety release device has been actuated and the release has been effected and the detonator electronics 111 then receives a detonation activation command and then controls the detonation ignition chain 109, the following steps are carried out:

- The igniter electronics 111 activates the ignition initiator charge (detonator) 107.

- The activated detonator 107 activates the stage 1 ignition amplifier charge 105.

- The activated stage 1 ignition amplifier charge 105 activates stage 2

Ignition booster charge 103.

- The activated stage 2 ignition amplifier charge 103 detonates the main explosive charge 101.

In one embodiment, a moveable metal plate, not shown, prevents the stage 2 booster charge 103 from being activated unintentionally. This metal plate interrupts the detonation ignition chain 109. An actuator, not shown, pulls this metal plate aside as soon as the detonation activation command has been received, whereby the detonation ignition chain 109 is closed. This actuator, which is able to pull the metal plate to the side, preferably belongs to the safety release device of the exemplary embodiment. Only when this safety release device has been actuated can the detonation activation command cause the detonation ignition chain 109 to be closed.

If the igniter electronics 111 receives a deflagration activation command and then or for another reason (see below) controls the deflagration ignition chain 119, the following steps are carried out: - The igniter electronics 111 activate the ignition initiator charge (deflagrator) 117.

- The activated deflagrator 117 activates the deflagration charge 121.

- The activated deflagration charge 121 brings the main explosive charge 101 to deflagration.

The deflagration ignition chain 119 can also comprise a movable metal plate which prevents the deflagration charge 121 from being activated unintentionally and which belongs to the safety release device.

The activated deflagration charge 121 generates a sufficiently high temperature at least on the side facing the main explosive charge 101. This sufficiently high temperature causes deflagration of the main explosive charge 101. An unwanted and therefore undesirable detonation of the main explosive charge 101 is prevented in the exemplary embodiment by the following measures:

The pulse (the pressure wave) which is generated when the deflagration charge 121 is activated is kept low.

- The main explosive charge 101 only detonates when pressure waves hit with a sufficiently large pulse.

- The stage 2 ignition charge 103 is more sensitive to pulse waves than the main explosive charge 101. The mechanical barrier 123 prevents unwanted activation of the level 2 ignition charge 103.

In the exemplary embodiment, the weapon is suspended, for example started or discarded. A timer is activated on board the weapon. As soon as the detonator electronics 111 receives a detonation activation command, the detonator electronics 111 activates the detonation ignition chain 109, whereby the main explosive charge 101 is detonated. The igniter electronics 111 automatically activates the deflagration ignition chain 119 when one of the following events has occurred:

- A deflagration activation order has been sent to the weapon.

After the timer has started, a predetermined period of time has passed without the main explosive charge 101 having been detonated or deflagrated, ie the detonator electronics 111 are still intact. FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Instead of an initiator charge 107 of the detonation ignition chain 109 and a spatially separate ignition initiator charge of the deflagration ignition chain 119, this modification comprises a single ignition initiator charge 207 which is arranged to be movable , for example linearly shifted or rotated. This ignition initiator charge 207 can thereby be moved back and forth between a detonation position and a deflagration position, which is indicated by the double arrow P. 2 shows the detonation position with a broken line and the deflagration position with a solid line. An actuator, not shown, can move the initiator charge 207 back and forth between these two positions. The initiator charge 207 is preferably held in the deflagration position, for example locked there.

In a further implementation, the initiator charge 207 is initially held in a rest position in which it is spatially separated from the ignition amplifier charge 105 and spatially from the deflagration charge 121. The actuator, not shown, is capable of moving the initiator charge 207 from the rest position either to the detonation position or to the deflagration position.

In the detonation position, the initiator charge 207 is connected to the stage 1 pilot amplifier charge 105, in the deflagration position to the deflagration charge 121. The igniter electronics 111 activates the ignition initiator charge after receiving a corresponding activation command 207. Depending on its position, the initiator charge 207 belongs to the detonation ignition chain 109 or to the deflagration ignition chain 119 and triggers a detonation or a deflagration of the main explosive charge 101.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a further modification. In this further modification, an ignition means 213 is rotatably mounted as a whole, specifically about an axis of rotation D and for example by 90 degrees. This rotatably mounted ignition means 213 takes the place of the detonation ignition chain 109 and the deflagration ignition chain 119 of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 and can also be configured as an ignition chain. In Fig. 3, the ignition means 213 is shown in a detonation position with a dashed line and in a deflagration position with a solid line.

The igniter electronics 111 activates this igniter 213 after receiving an activation command. The activated igniter 213 generates pressure waves and heat. When the primer 213 is in the detonation position, the pressure waves reach the main explosive charge 101 and detonate it. If, on the other hand, the ignition means 213 is in the deflagration position, the orientation of the ignition means 213 and the mechanical barrier 123 prevent the pressure waves from the activated ignition means 213 from reaching the main explosive charge 101 such that the pressure waves reach the main explosive charge 101 Detonate. Essentially, only the heat reaches the main explosive charge 101 and deflagrates it. It is possible that the mechanical barrier 213 is withdrawn before the ignition means 213 is rotated from the deflagration position to the detonation position in order to enable the movement and to ensure that pressure waves actually reach the main explosive charge 101 and cause the desired detonation . It is possible that this ignition means 213 can additionally be activated optionally in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode.

4 a) shows an example of a weapon in the form of a missile 205 in which the invention is implemented. This missile 205 comprises a rear housing part 209 and a front housing part 211, which has a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the missile 205 than the rear housing part 209. A mechanical connecting part 203 between the two housing parts 211 and 209 is designed as a predetermined breaking point. The rear housing part 209 accommodates the main explosive charge 101, the detonation ignition chain 109, the deflagration ignition chain 119 and control electronics 201 with the ignition electronics 111. The control electronics 201 is arranged between the main explosive charge 101 and the front housing part 211. In the situation shown in FIG. 4 b), the deflagration ignition chain 119 has just been activated. As a result, the main explosive charge 101 is brought to deflagration, which is indicated in FIG. 4 c).

The control electronics 201 of the missile 205 should also be completely destroyed in the event of deflagration. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which no special means is required to ensure this. Rather, the fire gases and the flames, which arise during the deflagration of the main explosive charge 101 in the rear housing part 209, cause the desired complete destruction of the control electronics 201. During the deflagration, a rapid increase in pressure and heat occurs inside the housing 209 211 of the missile 205, which creates a high excess pressure. Because the connecting part 203 between the two housing parts 209 and 211 is designed as a predetermined breaking point, this connecting part 203 breaks during deflagration, and the front housing part 209 is rotated or blown away by the rear housing part 211, which is indicated in FIG. 4 c). This creates a large opening at that end of the rear housing part 211 which points towards the control electronics 201. As a result, the rear housing part 211 becomes a tubular guide device for the combustion gases and the flames which arise during deflagration. These combustion gases and flames are led forward to the control electronics 201 and destroy them completely. The design with the predetermined breaking point 203 prevents the undesirable event that the rapid increase in pressure and heat at an unforeseeable point tears open an opening in the housing 209, 211 and the excess pressure is reduced through this opening without the control electronics 201 completely gets destroyed. Reference numerals

Claims

1. Comprehensive weaponry

- an explosive charge (101),

- An activatable detonation ignition means (109), in particular an activatable detonation ignition chain (103, 105, 107), and

- An ignition device (111), the ignition device (111) being designed to activate the detonation ignition means (109) after receiving a detonation activation command, and

wherein the activated detonation ignition means (109) is configured to:

Detonating an explosive charge (101),

characterized in that

the weapon comprises an activatable deflagration ignition device (119), in particular an activatable deflagration ignition chain (117, 121),

wherein the igniter (111) is configured to selectively activate the detonation igniter (109) or the deflagration igniter (119), and wherein the activated deflagration igniter (119) is configured to combine the explosive charge (101) Bring deflagration.

2. ordnance according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the weapon

- At least one electronic device (201) and

- a guide device (209)

includes,

wherein the guide device (209) is designed to fire gases and / or flames, which arise during the deflagration of the explosive charge (101), in the direction of or at least one electronic device (201) of the

To conduct ordnance.

3. weaponry according to claim 2,

characterized in that the weapon with a case

- a first housing part (211),

- A second housing part (209) and

- comprises a predetermined breaking point (203),

the predetermined breaking point (203) being designed such that deflagration of the

Explosive charge (101) causes the predetermined breaking point (203) to break,

wherein after breaking the predetermined breaking point (203), the first housing part (211) is movable relative to the second housing part (209) and

after movement of the first housing part (211) relative to the second

Housing part (209) the second housing part (209) as part of

Management device works.

4. weapon according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the deflagration ignition means (119) is spatially separated from the detonation ignition means (109).

5. weapon according to claim 4,

characterized in that

a mechanical barrier (123) is arranged between the deflagration ignition means (119) and the detonation ignition means (109),

the barrier (123) being positioned

that after activation of the deflagration ignition means (119) it reduces the risk of activation of the detonation ignition means (109).

6. ordnance according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

an activatable common component (207, 213) of the weapon

belongs to both the detonation primer (109) and the deflagration primer (119).

7. weapon according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the common component (207, 213) can be operated either in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode,

the common component (207, 213) being designed to

- Contribute to the detonation of the explosive charge (101) in detonation mode and

- To contribute to deflagration of the explosive charge (101) in deflagration mode.

8. weapon according to claim 6 or claim 7,

characterized in that

the common component (207, 213) can optionally be moved into a detonation position or into a deflagration position,

the common component (207, 213) being designed to

- In the detonation position to contribute to the detonation of the explosive charge (101) and

- in the deflagration position for deflagration of the explosive charge (101)

to contribute.

9. weapon according to one of claims 6 to 8,

characterized in that

another activatable component of the weapon is part of the detonation primer (109), but does not belong to the deflagration primer (119),

the weapon is designed so that

- When the common component (207, 213) and the further component are activated, the explosive charge (101) is detonated and

- If only the common component (207, 213) is activated, but not the other component, the explosive charge (101) is brought to deflagration.

10. weapon according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the igniter (111) is designed for this, optionally - to activate the further component and the common component (207, 213) in accordance with a predefined chronological sequence and thereby detonate the explosive charge (101) or

- Only activate the common component (207, 213) and thereby bring the explosive charge (101) to deflagration.

11. ordnance according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the deflagration primer (119)

- Is designed as an ignition chain (117, 121) and

- An ignition initiator charge (117) and a deflagration charge (121).

12. ordnance according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the weapon is designed for use under water.

13. method of operating a weapon,

being the weapon

- an explosive charge (101),

- An igniter (111) comprises and

the method comprising the steps of

- The ignition device (111) activates the detonation ignition means (109) after receiving a detonation activation command and

- The activated detonation ignition means (109) detonates the explosive charge (101), characterized in that

the weapon comprises an activatable deflagration ignition device (119), in particular an activatable deflagration ignition chain (117, 121), the method comprising the further steps of

when a predetermined event has occurred without the explosive charge (101) being detonated by the time the event occurs,

- The igniter (111) activates the deflagration igniter (119) and

- The activated deflagration ignition means (119) the explosive charge (101) to one

Deflagration brings.

14. The method according to claim 13,

characterized in that

the procedure includes the additional step of suspending or dropping the weapon,

wherein the predetermined event has occurred when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the deployment or release of the weapon, and the igniter (111) automatically activates the deflagration means (119) after the period has elapsed.

15. The method according to claim 13 or claim 14,

characterized in that

the igniter (111) the deflagration igniter (119) after receiving a

Deflagration activation command activated.