EP4121714A1 - Casing for a fragmentation weapon, fragmentation weapon, and method of manufacture - Google Patents
Casing for a fragmentation weapon, fragmentation weapon, and method of manufactureInfo
- Publication number
- EP4121714A1 EP4121714A1 EP21706651.3A EP21706651A EP4121714A1 EP 4121714 A1 EP4121714 A1 EP 4121714A1 EP 21706651 A EP21706651 A EP 21706651A EP 4121714 A1 EP4121714 A1 EP 4121714A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- preformed
- lattice
- casing
- fragments
- layer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000013467 fragmentation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 67
- 238000006062 fragmentation reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 67
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 117
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 abstract description 20
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 108
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 59
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 27
- 230000001665 lethal effect Effects 0.000 description 12
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 210000002421 cell wall Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 231100000518 lethal Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 231100000225 lethality Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 2
- RZVHIXYEVGDQDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 9,10-anthraquinone Chemical compound C1=CC=C2C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C(=O)C2=C1 RZVHIXYEVGDQDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000015842 Hesperis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012633 Iberis amara Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004570 mortar (masonry) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013077 target material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/20—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type
- F42B12/22—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction
- F42B12/32—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of high-explosive type with fragmentation-hull construction the hull or case comprising a plurality of discrete bodies, e.g. steel balls, embedded therein or disposed around the explosive charge
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of casings for fragmentation weapons, particularly casings comprising preformed fragments.
- Explosive weapons such as warheads, projectiles, bombs, anti-tank mines, shells, mortars, rockets, missiles, grenades, etc. that shatter following detonation of an explosive charge are primarily effective owing to fragmentation.
- fragmentation occurs when a large and energetic charge of high explosive detonates and produces a powerful shock wave which shatters the entire casing of an explosive weapon into many fragments that are projected in all directions.
- the ability of a weapon to cause a lethal effect on a target is probabilistic. This is reflected in the often quoted 'lethal radius' for a weapon -defined as the distance from the blast at which it is expected a given weapon still has a 90% chance of lethality.
- the probabilistic nature of weapon lethal effect arises from dependency on a number of factors, including the number, mass, shape, size, velocity and distance travelled of any resulting fragments following detonation.
- An optimal lethal effect can be achieved by maximising the number of fragments available after detonation, thereby increasing the probability of a fragment hitting a target, and ensuring each fragment has sufficient momentum (which is a factor of mass and velocity) to damage the target.
- the number of fragments per unit area decreases with the square of the distance from the detonation point of the weapon, and the fragment momentum required to kill/destroy a target is dependent on the target type. Therefore fragmentation is a significant factor in lethality.
- collateral damage can occur if the fragments are larger than expected (as can occur where homogeneous casing materials are allowed to breakup organically at detonation) and have sufficient momentum to travel beyond the intended lethal radius. It is therefore additionally desirable to have predictable fragmentation, in order to predict and optimise the lethal effect of the weapon whilst mitigating collateral damage.
- One approach to this is to include preformed fragments, such as many metal ball bearings as part of a weapon.
- This allows some predictability in distribution, mass and velocity of fragmentation after detonation.
- DE2536308 discloses a warhead comprising an explosive surrounded by a layer of preformed fragments sandwiched between two tubular walls of wire mesh. This is then cast into metal forming a single solid tubular wall that fragments upon detonation. Whilst this provides a degree of predictability in fragmentation, the concept suffers in that if the cast casing is structurally robust, then the predictability of fragmentation is reduced, conversely, if the cast casing is weak the mass allocated to the preformed fragments cannot play a meaningful part in the structural integrity of a penetrating warhead.
- Prior art includes designs where the preformed fragments actually occupy part of the volume inside the warhead that could otherwise be usefully allocated to the explosive charge. This is particularly a problem for weapon designers who are often limited to a maximum mass and spatial size for a weapon, and therefore any mass or volume allocated to a fragmentation layer needs to be compensated for by reducing the mass or volume allocated to either the casing (further affecting the structural integrity) or the explosive charge (affecting blast energy).
- a casing for a fragmentation weapon comprising an inner casing layer, an outer casing layer, and a plurality of preformed fragments located between the layers, wherein the casing further comprises a preformed lattice defining a plurality of preformed cells shaped to fit the preformed fragments, each preformed fragment being slidably fitted within a respective preformed cell, the preformed lattice and fragments being sandwiched between the inner and outer casing layers, such that the preformed fragments are held within the preformed cells by confinement, and such that when a fragmentation weapon comprising the casing is detonated the preformed fragments are freely separable from the preformed lattice.
- the mass and volume allocated to the preformed lattice and preformed fragments provides useful improvement to the structural strength/integrity of the casing.
- the preformed lattice provides tensile strength and the preformed fragments provide compressive strength which advantageously helps to distribute stress across the fragmentation layer thereby improving the overall structural strength of the casing.
- This is particularly advantageous for weapons or other projectiles that are exposed to excessive loading during impact with a solid structure such as a wall or vehicle. In this scenario it is often advantageous that the weapon does not buckle or tear as this can reduce the effectiveness of the weapon or prevent a successful engagement.
- the inner and outer casing layers need to sandwich the fragmentation layer such that the preformed fragments are confined to their cells throughout the engagement and are prevented from sliding out of their cells before the charge is detonated.
- the weapon is a cylindrical shaped weapon which provides an advantageous distribution of fragments and conforms to common weapon shapes.
- the inner and outer casing layers and fragmentation layers are tubular shaped having an annular cross section and an axial length.
- the inner casing layer cross section having a shorter diameter than that of the fragmentation layer and the outer casing later having a longer diameter than that of the fragmentation layer.
- the diameters of these layers are such that they sandwich against the fragmentation layer thereby preventing the preformed fragments from sliding out of their cells before detonation of the weapon.
- the inner and outer casing layers comprise a metal such as aluminium, titanium or steel, while fragments may be tungsten, steel or other hard materials.
- the fragmentation weapon is an explosive device wherein an explosive charge is contained within a casing such that when the charge is detonated the casing shatters into fragments which travel at high velocity over a wide area.
- the casing may be provided with an end and/or nose cap as required by the weapon design/intended application.
- the casing is an external shell or wall that encloses the explosive charge primarily to provide structural strength to the weapon (as well as providing a vessel to transport the explosive throughout an engagement) but also to produce fragments upon detonation of the explosive charge that contribute to the lethal effect of the weapon.
- the casing is generally tubular shaped, depending on the shape of the overall weapon and comprises several layers: an inner casing layer, a fragmentation layer and an outer casing layer.
- the structural strength of the weapon is primarily defined by the structural strength of the combined layers of the casing.
- Each layer typically comprises a metal which could be any metal but typically the metal is chosen based on hardness and/or tensile strength to suit the intended application.
- the inner casing layer is an interior layer of the casing, situated closer to the explosive charge than the other layers of the casing.
- the inner casing layer is a pipe around some explosives.
- the inner casing layer may be adjacent the explosive charge, or even substantially in abutment with the explosive charge.
- the inner casing layer defines a cavity into which an explosive fill is provided, for instance. If the casing is tubular, the inner casing layer has a shorter radius than the other layers.
- the inner layer comprises a homogeneous material in order to provide structural strength to the weapon when combined with the other casing layers. Typically the inner layer naturally fragments upon detonation of the explosive charge.
- the outer casing layer is the exterior layer of the casing, situated further from the explosive charge than the other layers of the casing.
- the outer casing layer may define an exterior surface of a weapon for instance.
- the outer layer comprises a homogeneous material which provides structural strength to the casing when cooperating with the other casing layers. Typically the outer layer naturally fragments upon detonation of the charge.
- the fragmentation layer comprises a preformed lattice and a plurality of preformed fragments.
- the fragmentation layer is located between the inner and outer casing layers in a sandwiched arrangement.
- the internal and external faces of the preformed lattice and preformed fragments are pressed up against the adjacent faces of the inner and outer casing layers. Consequently, before the explosive is detonated, the preformed lattice and preformed fragments are securely held between the inner and outer casing layers such their movement is substantially prevented.
- the inner and outer casing layers will typically shatter, exposing the preformed lattice and permitting movement of the preformed fragments from their respective cells of the preformed lattice.
- Slidably fitted means that the preformed fragments may occupy the volume of the preformed cells such that the preformed fragments touch the cell walls but are not physically attached to it. They therefore slide out of the cell when the charge is detonated. Owing to the fragments being slidably received into the lattice, they offer improved separation from the lattice when the fragmentation weapon is detonated.
- preformed fragments are individual pieces of a material (ideally of a high hardness metal) that have a predefined size, shape and mass.
- a material ideally of a high hardness metal
- preformed fragments will typically maintain the same size, shape and mass throughout the engagement (i.e. whilst secured in the casing and after the casing shatters upon detonation) therefore enabling improved predictability in respect of lethal effect and collateral damage.
- a lattice is a frame or structure comprising a homogeneous piece of material which is typically a solid sheet of metal with a plurality of preformed cells which are essentially holes formed through the sheet and arranged across the sheet.
- the metal has a high hardness (such as high hardness/hardened steel) to improve the structural strength of the warhead against compressive forces.
- the metal has a high tensile strength (such as high tensile steel) to improve the structural strength of the warhead against tension forces.
- the preformed cells are not touching each other (which would form a larger hole affecting the structural integrity of the lattice) but are separated such that each preformed cell is surrounded by the sheet material (forming a boundary between the cells).
- the material/boundaries between the cells are known as the lattice struts.
- the lattice struts form the walls of the preformed cells.
- the arrangement of the cells across the lattice may be a regular or irregular pattern as required to optimise the lethal effect and/or reduce collateral damage.
- the preformed cells are squares and are orientated such that the walls of the cell are parallel with the axial plane of the lattice; this combination of features is advantageous because it improves the tensile strength of the preformed lattice.
- the preformed cells are shaped to fit the preformed fragments. This means that the shape and size of each preformed cell are such that a preformed fragment will fit inside it and the cell walls will hold the fragment in place generally preventing tangential or axial movement relative to the weapon. Furthermore, a fragment can easily be inserted into a cell and slide through it without significant force. Insome embodiments, there are between 500 and 1500 separate preformed cells cut into the preformed lattice; however, clearly this is dependent on the size of the lattice and cells.
- the preformed fragments should be able to freely separate from the cells following detonation of the explosive charge.
- each fragment is loosely held within a cell purely by the friction between the surface of the fragment and the adjacent cell walls.
- the preformed fragments are physically unattached (i.e. there are no metallic or adhesive bonds) to any other part of the casing or weapon they are therefore only held within their cells by confinement within the lattice and the inner and outer casing layers.
- the external surfaces on the preformed fragments will typically touch the cell walls (struts of the lattice) and the inner and outer casing layers. This prevents movement of the preformed fragments before detonation (which improves structural strength) and enables them to freely separate from their cells and the lattice once the inner and outer casing layers shatter after detonation of the explosive charge.
- the lattice can be any thickness as required for the weapon design.
- the thickness of the preformed lattice is the same thickness as the preformed fragments.
- the lattice layer thickness is between 5-15mm.
- the inner casing layer and outer casing layers can be the same or different thicknesses to each other and the fragmentation layer depending on the requirement of the weapon.
- the inner and outer casing layers thicknesses range between 120 - 260mm.
- the preformed fragments have a square cross section and the walls of the cells are orientated parallel to the axial plane of the lattice i.e. for a cylinder, the axial plane is one which is parallel to the axis of symmetry/revolution and perpendicular to the radial, circumferential and tangential axes.
- This combination of features provides further improvement to load distribution across the fragmentation layer therefore further improving the structural integrity of the casing.
- the struts may be any shape or thickness such as required by the expected loading on the structure.
- the lattice may be a tubular shaped structure with a circular cross section and an axial length.
- the axial length of the lattice is such that it runs the full axial length of the casing to maximise the number of preformed fragments; however this may reduce overall structural integrity.
- the lattice may be of a different shape if required to conform to the shape or form factor of a different shaped weapon.
- the lattice may be a solid structure; preferably it is formed from a single piece of material and is homogeneous in order to improve structural strength.
- the lattice comprises a metal with a high hardness such as high hardness steel or tungsten to improve the structural strength against compression forces.
- the lattice comprises a material with a high tensile strength such as carbon fibre or high tensile steel to improve the structural strength against tensile forces.
- the axial length of the lattice is less than the full length of the weapon to reduce the mass, cost and complexity of the lattice or to improve the overall strength of the casing.
- the lattice is less than 1 ⁇ 2 the length of the weapon, optionally the lattice is less than 3 ⁇ 4 the length of the weapon.
- the preformed fragments may be any shape, regular or irregular.
- the fragments may or may not be of uniform size and design throughout the lattice.
- the size of the fragments also impacts the thickness of the lattice struts and therefore the required structural strength of the lattice should be taken into account. It is possible to design preformed fragments shape and size as required for a specific target type, collateral damage area and lattice structural strength.
- the fragments are of non-uniform size and design throughout the lattice to optimise the weapon effect against different types of targets.
- the preformed fragment material is harder than or at least as hard as the intended target material.
- the preformed fragments comprise a metal with a high density such as Tungsten or high hardness steel. Tungsten being a significantly higher density than steel. Higher density materials lead to a higher mass and higher momentum which advantageously provides resistance against impacts with other fragments and allows deeper penetration into the target.
- the preformed fragment material choice may be limited by the mass allocation for the warhead.
- the preformed lattice and preformed fragments are physically separate components of the casing and therefore advantageously they can be manufactured separately and do not need to be physically attached together to form the casing. This reduces the manufacturing cost and complexity when compared to casings in the prior art.
- the lattice may be a solid piece of metal constructed using conventional manufacturing methods; which includes casting but also includes stamping the preformed cells into a flat sheet of steel before shaping the sheet into the desired casing shape and welding along the seam.
- a casing constructed using conventional manufacturing techniques will typically have an improved structural strength to that of a casing constructed using additive manufacturing. This allows the weapon designer to reduce the mass of any other layers in the casing without reducing the overall structural integrity of the weapon.
- the improved predictability of the blast enables the skilled person to optimise the lattice structure and preformed fragment shape/size to meet the requirements of the weapon.
- a single fragment may be confined within a single cell for simplicity but embodiments having multiple fragments held within a single cell are also possible.
- All cells within the lattice may be completely populated such that every cell is occupied by one or more preformed fragments which maximise the number of fragments to improve the lethal effect of the weapon.
- a number of cells are empty which has the advantage of reducing the overall mass/weight of the weapon; this may negatively impact structural strength and overall fragmentation effect, but this may be acceptable in some circumstances.
- a fragmentation weapon comprising a casing according to the first aspect of the invention.
- the fragmentation weapon is a projectile, but alternatively may comprise a warhead sub-section of a larger weapon system.
- a method of manufacturing a casing for a fragmentation weapon comprising the steps of:
- a casing for a fragmentation weapon comprising an inner casing layer and an outer casing layer;
- the preformed lattice comprises layers of 1mm thick sheets of high tensile or high hardness steel or other metal forming a 5mm thick lattice.
- the preformed lattice comprises a single layer of 5mm thick sheet of high tensile or high hardness steel or other metal; the preformed cells stamped into it before being formed into a cylinder.
- the preformed cells comprise square holes of 5mm x 5mm that have been stamped into a 5mm thick sheet of high tensile or high hardness steel or other metal in a regular square pattern. The sheet is then rolled into a tubular shape and welded along the seam forming the lattice.
- FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an embodiment of a tubular fragmentation layer in perspective view.
- Fig. 2 provides an illustration of the tubular fragmentation layer of Fig 1 in cross section view.
- Fig. 3a provides an illustration of an embodiment of a preformed lattice comprising square cells arranged in a square pattern with and without cubic preformed fragments.
- Fig. 3b provides an illustration of an embodiment of a preformed lattice comprising circular cells arranged in a hexagonal pattern with and without spherical preformed fragments.
- Fig. 4 provides an illustration of a cylindrical warhead embodiment having a tubular fragmentation layer.
- the fragmentation layer 1 comprises a tubular lattice 2 with preformed square cells 6 each containing a cubic preformed fragment 3.
- the fragmentation layer 1 and lattice 2 have an axial length z of 800mm.
- the lattice 2 is formed from a single flat sheet of steel having a thickness of 5mm shaped to provide the tubular lattice 2.
- Fig. 2 shows the cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tubular shaped casing having the fragmentation layer 1 of fig. 1.
- the casing comprises 3 layers: an inner casing layer 4, a fragmentation layer 1 and an outer casing layer 5.
- the inner casing layer 4 has an internal diameter k of 139.87mm and an external diameter m of 149.6mm giving an inner casing layer 4 thickness of 4.87mm.
- the fragmentation layer 1 has an internal diameter p of 150mm and an external diameter q of 160mm giving a fragmentation layer 1 thickness of 5mm.
- the outer casing layer 5 has an internal diameter x of 160mm and an external diameter y of 165.1mm giving an outer casing layer 5 thickness of 2.55mm.
- the inner casing layer 4 and outer casing layer 5 are pressed up against the fragmentation layer 1 such that they are sandwiching the preformed lattice 2 and the preformed fragments 3 (i.e. there isn't a gap between them).
- the inner casing layer 4 and outer casing layer 5 are pressed up against the fragmentation layer 1 such that they are sandwiching the preformed lattice 2 and the preformed fragments 3 (i.e. there isn't a gap between them).
- the inner casing layer 4 and outer casing layer 5 ensures that the preformed fragments 3 are held within the preformed cells 6 in the preformed lattice 2 by confinement.
- Fig. 2 also shows some preformed cells 6 are empty.
- Each cell 6 is separated from tangentially adjacent cells 6 by a distance of 2.08mm on the external surface and 1.95mm on the internal surface of the fragmentation layer 1.
- Each cell 6 is separated from axially adjacent cells 6 by a distance of 2.08mm on both the internal and external surfaces of the fragmentation layer 1.
- the preformed fragments 3 are 5mm x 5mm x 5mm cubes made from solid high hardness steel having a mass of approximately lg each.
- Fig. 3a shows the preformed lattice 2 having square preformed cells 6 arranged in a regular square pattern that are shaped to fit the cubic preformed fragments 3.
- Each square preformed cell 6 loosely holds and confines a single preformed fragment 3 using friction such that when the charge is detonated, the preformed fragments 3 can freely separate from the lattice 2 and consequently have an improved predictable lethal effect and reduced collateral damage when compared with fragmentation weapons in the prior art.
- the preformed cells 7 comprise circular holes of 5mm diameter that have been stamped into the sheet in a regular hexagonal pattern.
- the preformed fragments 8 are solid high hardness steel spheres having a diameter of 5mm.
- Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein the fragmentation layer 1 has been integrated into a tubular warhead 9.
- a single homogeneous tubular piece of steel of with an axial length d of 900mm, a circular cross section having an internal diameter of 139.87mm and an external diameter of 165.1mm forms the tubular casing of the warhead 9.
- a cavity 10 has been carved into the casing such that the fragmentation layer 1 (comprising the preformed lattice 2 with the preformed fragments 3 inserted into their preformed cells 6) can be inserted into the cavity 10.
- the walls of the cavity 10 therefore form the homogeneous inner and outer casing layers; 4 and 5 respectively.
- the inner casing layer 4 internal diameter is 139.87mm and external diameter is 149.6mm.
- the outer casing layer 5 internal diameter is 160mm and external diameter is 165.1mm. This provides an inner casing layer thickness of 4.87mm, an outer casing layer thickness of 2.55mm.
- the warhead 9 is provided with an end and/or nose cap 11 as required by the warhead 9 design
- the embodiments described relate to a casings for fragmentation weapons, and warheads comprising the casings, they are not intended to be limiting.
- the casing may be provided enclosing an energetic material or explosive, and may be provided with an end and/or nose cap as required by the warhead or bomb design.
- the shape, size and mass of the casings will be tailored to the particular application.
- the tubular warhead 9 contains an explosive charge within the casing (i.e. encircled by the inner casing layer 4).
- the tubular warhead 9 also contains a guidance system connected to a flight control system to control and guide its trajectory towards the target and a fuse to detonate the warhead when the fuse condition is met.
- the base of the tubular warhead 9 is attached to a propellant engine to provide propulsion throughout the engagement.
- the resulting shock wave shatters the inner casing layer 4, preformed lattice 2 and outer casing layer 5 (which naturally fragments) and propels the cubic preformed fragments 3 out of their preformed cells 6 in a substantially radially outwards direction.
- the preformed fragments 6 Being physically unattached to any part of the preformed lattice 2 or any other part of the casing, the preformed fragments 6 freely separate from their cells 6 unattached to anything and thus having a known mass. The momentum of the preformed fragments can therefore be predicted when a known explosive charge is used.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
- Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
- Extrusion Of Metal (AREA)
- Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB2003965.7A GB202003965D0 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2020-03-19 | Casing for a fragmentation weapon, fragmentation weapon, and method of manufacture |
PCT/GB2021/000017 WO2021186138A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2021-02-17 | Casing for a fragmentation weapon, fragmentation weapon, and method of manufacture |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4121714A1 true EP4121714A1 (en) | 2023-01-25 |
Family
ID=70546645
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21706651.3A Pending EP4121714A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2021-02-17 | Casing for a fragmentation weapon, fragmentation weapon, and method of manufacture |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230132848A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4121714A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2021238911A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3175558A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB202003965D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021186138A1 (en) |
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US11725916B2 (en) * | 2021-08-02 | 2023-08-15 | The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Fragmentation pattern, optimized for drawn cup warheads with a dome and cylindrical wall |
-
2020
- 2020-03-19 GB GBGB2003965.7A patent/GB202003965D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2021
- 2021-02-17 US US17/905,967 patent/US20230132848A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2021-02-17 WO PCT/GB2021/000017 patent/WO2021186138A1/en unknown
- 2021-02-17 AU AU2021238911A patent/AU2021238911A1/en active Pending
- 2021-02-17 CA CA3175558A patent/CA3175558A1/en active Pending
- 2021-02-17 EP EP21706651.3A patent/EP4121714A1/en active Pending
- 2021-02-22 GB GB2102448.4A patent/GB2593973B/en active Active
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US20230132848A1 (en) | 2023-05-04 |
GB2593973B (en) | 2022-12-14 |
GB2593973A (en) | 2021-10-13 |
GB202003965D0 (en) | 2020-05-06 |
CA3175558A1 (en) | 2021-09-23 |
GB202102448D0 (en) | 2021-04-07 |
WO2021186138A1 (en) | 2021-09-23 |
AU2021238911A1 (en) | 2022-11-03 |
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