GB1605122A

GB1605122A - Dispersion warhead

Info

Publication number: GB1605122A
Application number: GB2303678A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm AG
Current assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Priority date: 1977-09-01
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1981-12-16
Also published as: DE2739299A1; FR2488393B3; DE2739299C2; FR2488393A1

Description

(54) DISPERSION WARHEAD (71) We, MESSERSCHMITT - BOL- KOW - BLOHM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG, of 8000 Mflnchen, German Federal Republic, a Company organised and existing under the laws of the German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a dispersion warhead with individual containers, which may be positioned in radial extension in a number of rows, and which serve to accommodate borablets which are scattered after the containers have been ejected from the warhead and have opened over a target area.

Dispersion weapons are used when targets of large areas have to be attacked effectively using a number of projectiles of different types and where certain parts of the terrain may be impenetrable. The advantage of dispersion weapons is that targets which are difficult or impossible to destroy with direct fire can still be attacked with sufficient accuracy of aim As the efficiency of a weapon system is governed by the hit probability of the ammunition and its effect on the target, the efficiency can be improved even where there is only a comparatively slight effect on the target, by increasing the hit probability as the latter, under certain circumstances, is a more decisive factor. With dispersion weapons this factor is taken to the extreme with a large number of militarily effective bodies scattered.

The individual dispersion weapon containers are transported either by rocket propelled missiles or by large warheads suspended from an aircraft. In the warhead itself forming the support for the dispersion weapon containers heavy demands are made through acceleration forces during launch and various phases of the flight. Particularly exacting demands are made on the securing system for the individual containers containing the bomblets. The containers are ejected by prb pulsive charges or springs, leading to very high temporary stresses as a result of the considerable dispersion areas required for tactical reasons.

With weapon carriers it is difficult to ensure that the individual containers will remain secured in the wearhead cell during flight to the target area and that the release system will function in order to enable the very high and temporary expulsion forces to be ective, whilst at the same time making sure that the separate dispersion weapon containers do not leave the warhead in an uncontrolled manner and that the warhead cell will not be partly destroyed in the course of the expulsion which would effect the desired distribution and timing of release.

It is from this point of view that the invention proves of use, its purpose being to propose an exact solution to the said problem.

According to this invention there is provided a dispersion weapon warhead having a number of containers, containing bomblets which are scattered after ejection of a container from a cell in the warhead holding same after the container has opened, characterized by the dispersion weapon containers being secured in the warhead by a common releasable locking device associated with a securing means, the containers having additional fixing means which, after the securing means has been released, holds the containers in the cell until they are ejected and open to release the bomblets after the ejection of the containers.

The invention also provides a warhead wherein the containers can be loaded with bomblets from outside the warhead and thereafter closed and kept for reloading the warhead, so that the containers can be immediately loaded into the wariead cells and secured thereia.

For this purpose the containers comprise a trough part and a cover part which are secured together when the container is loaded into the cell ready filled with bomblets by means comprising a collar with a flange which engages the base of the trough part, a sleeve with a foot end rigidly secured to the collar by shear pins and a spring clip around the other outermost end of the sleeve engageable with a flange on the cover part to retain same.

This ensures that the containers can be loaded, closed and kept in reserve and rapidly inserted without modification to the warhead whilst allowing the securing and fixing of the containers in the cell with release of the original connections between container troughs and container covers and replacement by the securing means after loading which then releases before the containers are ejected.

After the release it is only prior to the ejection phase, during which the warhead is moving without acceleration, that the fixing devices take over the function of securing the dispersion weapon containers in the warhead cell, the said fixing devices being so constructed as far as strength is concerned so that they will be destroyed by the ejection forces. The invention thus provides a clearly defined point at which the ejection process takes place.

The accompanying drawings show an embodiment by way of exampk.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a warhead, Figure 2 shows a detail in the area II of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a section on line III--III of Figure 2, Figure 3a shows a detail in the area and IIla in section of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a section along IV-IV of Figure 1, Figure 5 shows a section along V-V of Figure 1, Figure 6 shows a section along VI-VI of Figure 1, Figure 7 shows a tie bar having a fixing device and mounted in front of the warhead, Figure 8 shows part of an assembled dispersion weapon container, with locking device, Figure 9 shows part of a dispersion weapon container moving away from the warhead immediately after ejection, and Figure 10 shows part of a dispersion weapon container disintegrating as the ejection process continues.

The warhead assembly comprises mainly a central support column Z and transversal rib members Qu. Between these nbs a number of dispersion weapon containers B are located in radially disposed groups extending in succession. The manner in which the containers B are arranged in the warhead unit is described in the following.

Coaxially positioned inside the column Z is a locking bar 1, which extends the whole length of the column and which is mounted so as to be longitudinally movable within certain limits. A number of locking discs 2 are rigidly secured to the rod in succession and at certain spacings. The discs have a number of peripheral locking grooves 3 (see Figure 6).

In the locking position the bar 1 is subject to the force of a compression spring device 4 which is mounted at the front end and which is shown, in particular, in Figure 2.

This device consists of a plate 5 having an adjusting ring 5a and mounted on the locking bar 1 by a screw thread 6 in such a way that it can be adjusted in order to alter the prestressing of the spring 7. The other end of the spring 7 bears against an abutment 8 secured to the front end of the central column 7.

As shown in particular from Figures 2 and 3, the locking bar is secured, when in the locked position, by a latching device 9. This device has a disc 10 rigidly secured to the bar 1 and an annular groove 11 with two sliding latches 12 engaging the groove and two locking levers 13 with one arm of each coupled through a tension spring 14 and the other arm of each engaging the latches 12.

Two further levers 15 secure the latches 12 by means of a three-armed crank 16 which holds the levers 15 by arms ita while the third arm 16b is subject to tension of a draw spring 17 held by a pyrotechnic mechanical lock 18 (Figure 3a). This lock mainly consists of a charge housing 19, into which a propellant charge 20 is located and which is electrically detonated. A locking pin 21 is guided at the rear in a channel 19a and through a central part, locks the arm 16b of the crank 16 against the force of spring 17 exerted in direction X. The front end of the pin 21 lies in the bore 22e of a mounting sleeve 22.

Each dispersion weapon container B is held in a cell of the warhead by front and rear tie rods or bars 23 wherein the bars engage by endS 23a in locking channels 3 holding same against radial displacement but movable in the axial direction. The tie bars 23 also are associated with clamp devices which comprise, (Figure 4), a nut 24 screwed onto the outer end of the tie bar 23, a collar 25, a sleeve 26, a conical ring 27 and a cylindrical ring 28. The containers B each comprise a trough B 1 serving to accommodate bomblets M (Figures 6 to 10) and a cover B 2. The cover B 2 is held by a flange B 21 clamped collar 25 and the sleeve 26, while the trough B 1 is clamped by components integral with the cell (to be described) by the ring 28 and a base flange B 11.

The containers B are not only locked and clamped in the warhead cell but are also secured therein, after being released, by means to be described (Figures 6 to 10). The fixing devices for this purpose each comprise a collar 29 secured to the central column Z, by means of a screw threading 30 for example.

The outer collar 29 contains an inner collar 31 and the two collars have bores which align and into which pins are inserted.

Locking devices are also provided to enable the individual containers to be loaded externally of the cell and mounted as a replacement unit (see in particular Figure 8).

The locking devices in each case comprise a sleeve 33 mounted on each rod 23 inside the sleeve 26 and having a base 33a comprising locking bores and a locking ring 34 with securing flange 34e. The bores in the base 33a and bores in the ring 34 correspond to the case of dispersion weapon containers B situated outside the warhead cell and acaccommodate locking pins 35. The container covers B 2 engage container troughs 1 by the circlips 36 which are located around the upper ends of the sleeves 33.

The operations of loading the dispersion weapon containers B or the container trough B 1 with bomblets M, mounting the covers B 2 and connecting them with the container troughs B 1, inserting the loaded containers B in the warhead on the ground, locking and clamping the dispersion weapon containers B in position and the ejection of the containers B over a target is described below: For this purpose the tie bars 23 are first inserted, togeher with internal fixing collars 31, into the warhead cell, in which process the collars are firmly connected by means of pins 32 to the external collars 29 which have already been screwed into the cell.The individual loaded containers B are now positioned by the two sleeves 33 over a front and a rear tie bar 23 which has been previously mounted on the central column Z in advance and which extends radially, and is thus inserted into the warhead cell.

The caps 25 are then located over the outer ends of the tie bar 23 and the clamp nuts 24 screwed onto the threading provided on the outer end of the tie bar 23.

When the clamp nuts 24 are tightened the tie bars 23, through the shoulders 23c, cause the locking sleeves 33 to accompany the movement and in this process the pins 35 are sheared.

This is necessary in order to enable the container covers B 2 to be released from the container troughs B 1 after the containers B have been ejected from the warhead cell.

After the clamp nuts 24 have been tightened force for the clamping action in each case extends through the following components: locking disc 2 via locking groove 3 (integral with the cell), base 23a of the tie bar, tie bar 23, nut 24, cap 25, cover flange B 21, sleeve 26, conical collar 27, cylindrical collar 28, base flange B 11 of trough B1, flange 34a, external collar 29, central column 7 integral with the cell. In order not to subject the internal collar 31 and thus the bolts 32 to excess strain when the clamp nut 24 is tightened a gap d is left between a collar 23b and the internal fixing ring 31. The mounting borings provided in the container covers B 2 are closed by cover discs 37 secured by screws 38 engaging the ends of the bars.

The operation of releasing the dispersion weapon containers B is initiated by detonating the propellant charge 20 of the locking device 18 (Figure 3a). The propellant gases generated force the locking pin 21 to the right, so that it releases the ann 16b of the crank 16. The ann 16b can now pivot in the direction shown by the arrow X in Figure 3 and as a result of the force exerted by the spring 17 the two arms 16a release the lever 15. This enables the spring 14 to move the latches 12 outwards, by the lever 13, so that the bar 1 is released. The latter moves to the left with the locking discs 2 due to the force of the spring, so that the base 23a of the tie bars are released. The tie bar 23 and thus the containers B, however, remain connected to the warhead cell after the unlocking action, through the fixing devices 23b, 31, 32, 29.The propulsion units T installed on the dispersion weapon containers B are then ignited with their thrust being greater than the shear resistance of the fixing bolts 32. The latter are sheared off and the shoulder 23b press outwards against the internal fixing rings 31. The tie bars 23 are then released and are released with the containers B (Figure 9).

Figure 10 shows a dispersion weapon container B, after being ejected from the cell, opens up through detachment of the container cover 2 from the trough B 1, in which process the tie bars 23 have already passed through the collars 34. The collars 34 and 28 also detach and the bomblets M are expelled from the container trough B 1.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dispersion weapon warhead having a number of containers, containing bomblets which are scattered after ejection of a container from a cell in the warhead holding same and after the container has open, characterized by the dispersion weapon containers being secured in the warhead by a common releasable locking device associated with a securing means, the containers having additional fixing means which, after the securing means has been released, holds the containers in the cell until they are ejected and open to release the bomblets after the ejection of the containers.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. secured therein, after being released, by means to be described (Figures 6 to 10). The fixing devices for this purpose each comprise a collar 29 secured to the central column Z, by means of a screw threading 30 for example. The outer collar 29 contains an inner collar 31 and the two collars have bores which align and into which pins are inserted. Locking devices are also provided to enable the individual containers to be loaded externally of the cell and mounted as a replacement unit (see in particular Figure 8). The locking devices in each case comprise a sleeve 33 mounted on each rod 23 inside the sleeve 26 and having a base 33a comprising locking bores and a locking ring 34 with securing flange 34e. The bores in the base 33a and bores in the ring 34 correspond to the case of dispersion weapon containers B situated outside the warhead cell and acaccommodate locking pins 35. The container covers B 2 engage container troughs 1 by the circlips 36 which are located around the upper ends of the sleeves 33. The operations of loading the dispersion weapon containers B or the container trough B 1 with bomblets M, mounting the covers B 2 and connecting them with the container troughs B 1, inserting the loaded containers B in the warhead on the ground, locking and clamping the dispersion weapon containers B in position and the ejection of the containers B over a target is described below: For this purpose the tie bars 23 are first inserted, togeher with internal fixing collars 31, into the warhead cell, in which process the collars are firmly connected by means of pins 32 to the external collars 29 which have already been screwed into the cell.The individual loaded containers B are now positioned by the two sleeves 33 over a front and a rear tie bar 23 which has been previously mounted on the central column Z in advance and which extends radially, and is thus inserted into the warhead cell. The caps 25 are then located over the outer ends of the tie bar 23 and the clamp nuts 24 screwed onto the threading provided on the outer end of the tie bar 23. When the clamp nuts 24 are tightened the tie bars 23, through the shoulders 23c, cause the locking sleeves 33 to accompany the movement and in this process the pins 35 are sheared. This is necessary in order to enable the container covers B 2 to be released from the container troughs B 1 after the containers B have been ejected from the warhead cell. After the clamp nuts 24 have been tightened force for the clamping action in each case extends through the following components: locking disc 2 via locking groove 3 (integral with the cell), base 23a of the tie bar, tie bar 23, nut 24, cap 25, cover flange B 21, sleeve 26, conical collar 27, cylindrical collar 28, base flange B 11 of trough B1, flange 34a, external collar 29, central column 7 integral with the cell. In order not to subject the internal collar 31 and thus the bolts 32 to excess strain when the clamp nut 24 is tightened a gap d is left between a collar 23b and the internal fixing ring 31. The mounting borings provided in the container covers B 2 are closed by cover discs 37 secured by screws 38 engaging the ends of the bars. The operation of releasing the dispersion weapon containers B is initiated by detonating the propellant charge 20 of the locking device 18 (Figure 3a). The propellant gases generated force the locking pin 21 to the right, so that it releases the ann 16b of the crank 16. The ann 16b can now pivot in the direction shown by the arrow X in Figure 3 and as a result of the force exerted by the spring 17 the two arms 16a release the lever 15. This enables the spring 14 to move the latches 12 outwards, by the lever 13, so that the bar 1 is released. The latter moves to the left with the locking discs 2 due to the force of the spring, so that the base 23a of the tie bars are released. The tie bar 23 and thus the containers B, however, remain connected to the warhead cell after the unlocking action, through the fixing devices 23b, 31, 32, 29.The propulsion units T installed on the dispersion weapon containers B are then ignited with their thrust being greater than the shear resistance of the fixing bolts 32. The latter are sheared off and the shoulder 23b press outwards against the internal fixing rings 31. The tie bars 23 are then released and are released with the containers B (Figure 9). Figure 10 shows a dispersion weapon container B, after being ejected from the cell, opens up through detachment of the container cover 2 from the trough B 1, in which process the tie bars 23 have already passed through the collars 34. The collars 34 and 28 also detach and the bomblets M are expelled from the container trough B 1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A dispersion weapon warhead having a number of containers, containing bomblets which are scattered after ejection of a container from a cell in the warhead holding same and after the container has open, characterized by the dispersion weapon containers being secured in the warhead by a common releasable locking device associated with a securing means, the containers having additional fixing means which, after the securing means has been released, holds the containers in the cell until they are ejected and open to release the bomblets after the ejection of the containers.

2. A dispersion weapon warhead in accord

ance with Claim 1, wherein the locking device includes an axially displaceable locking bar which extends centrally through the warhead and which has axially spaced discs provided with peripheral channels, radially extending tie bars having base portions which engage the grooves to form a lock against radial displacement, the discs being displaceable in an axial direction whereby the base of the tie bars may be released from the grooves therein.

3. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the tie bar forms the securing means and includes a nut engaging a thread on the other end of each tie bar, a collar, a sleeve with a flange of a container cover being secured between the sleeve and the collar and a conical collar, a ring serving to clamp the container base against a part of the cell.

4. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means comprises an external collar which is secured to the warhead cell and provided with bores, an internal collar situated in the external collar and provided with bores with pins engaging the bores to hold the collars together, the tie bars extending through the internal collar and having a - shoulder which is engageable with the internal collar to break the connection with the external collar on ejection of the container thereby allowing release of the container from the cell.

5. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with Claim 4, wherein before insertion of a container into a cell the tie bars are assembled, together with the internal and external collars, and located in the cell.

6. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the containers comprise a trough part and a cover part which are secured together when the container is loaded into the cell ready filled with bomblets by means comprising a collar with a flange which engages the base of the trough part, a sleeve with a foot end rigidly secured to the collar by shear pins and a spring clip around the other outermost end of the sleeve engageable with a flange on the cover part to retain same.

7. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with any preceding Claim 2 to 6, wherein the locking bar is stressed and urged to an unlocked position and secured in the locked position by a latching device.

8. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with Claim 7, wherein the stressing is effected at the front end of the warhead through a plate mounted and longitudinally adjustable on the bar with a spring which bears at one end against the plate and at the other end against an abutment integral with the warhead.

9. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with Claim 7 or 8, wherein the latching device comprises a disc positioned on the bar and having a peripheral groove with opposed sliding latches engageable therewith, two locking levers each having an arm connected by a tension spring with the other arms engaging the latches, two further levers securing each latch in engagement with the groove, a crank which holds the further levers in engagement with the latches and which is subject to spring force, locking device having a locking pin holding the crank and releasable to allow unlocking of the bar by the latching device.

10. A dispersion weapon warhead in accordance with any one of Claims 2 to 9, wherein the locking bar and discs thereon are mounted in a central tube extending through the warhead with the cells arranged therearound, the container fixing means being carried by the tube.

11. A dispersion weapon warhead constructed and arranged to function substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.