USH160H - Integral structural warhead shell - Google Patents
Integral structural warhead shell Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USH160H USH160H US06/812,602 US81260285A USH160H US H160 H USH160 H US H160H US 81260285 A US81260285 A US 81260285A US H160 H USH160 H US H160H
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- warhead
- pellet
- missile
- pellets
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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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
- Certain types of anti-ballistic missiles incorporate a warhead designed to scatter hundreds of metal pellets in a predetermined pattern.
- the pellets provide a kill mechanism against ICBM's by forming a pattern through which the ICBM must travel to impact with a target. Upon impact between the ICBM and some of the pellets, the kinetic energy is such that the ICBM is destroyed.
- the structure surrounding the warhead must be removed before firing and releasing the pellets. This is very difficult. Or, the entire pellet/explosive structure must be located outside the missile shell. The latter option requires that the strutural shell outer diameter of the nose portion of the missile be reduced to pass beneath the external warhead layer. This causes increased strutural weight and loss of bending stiffness of the missile body.
- the pellets and explosives are incorporated within the structural shell of the missile. No added structure is required underneath the warhead layer. Therefore, a straight load path is retained in the shell, reducing structural weight and bending deflection. This also results in maximum internal volume.
- FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of the forward portion of a missile showing a warhead section incorporating the structure of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the missile taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate surface patterns of a warhead incorporating square or hexagonal configurations for housing the warhead of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 showing a bolted lap joint for joining sections of the warhead.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the use of an ablative layer for covering the warhead pellets and also illustrating an initiator circuit emplaced in the structure.
- the forward section of a missile 10 is shown to include a guidance section 12, a warhead section 14, and a control section 16.
- Warhead section 14 is diagrammatially shown to include a plurality of annular assemblies 18 of pellets 20 which are disposed to be scattered in a predetermined pattern for impact with an ICBM.
- the assemblies 18 are positioned around the missile intermediate the inner surface 22 and outer surface 24 which forms the missile shell 26.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a square surface pattern of a container 28 which houses the pellets 20 in the warhead section 14 of the missile 10.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a hexagonal surface pattern of a container 28 which houses pellets 20 in the warhead section 14 of the missile 10.
- Each pellet 20 is contained in a thin metal shell or container 28 and a sheet explosive 30 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is positioned in the container beneath the pellet.
- the pellet shape on the external surface may be triangular, square, hexagonal or round. Typically, the pellet depth will usually equal the average pellet diameter.
- a cylindrical or conical tooling mandrel is used to lay up the inner skin 22 of the warhead section shell. After cure, the inner shell is removed from the mandrel and pellet containers 28 of the desired pattern or light weight spaces 32 are positioned on the shell surface and bonded or riveted in place. Tows of graphite fiber 34 are then wet wound into the slots in a continuous criss-cross (basket-weave) manner (FIG. 6) until the slots are filled to the outer surface. Fibers 34 are held in position by an epoxy adhesive. Steps 36 for a bolted lap joint (FIG. 5) are machined into the solid laminate area at the forward and aft end of the section.
- the containers of explosive and pellet are inserted into the openings and retained by bonding with silicone rubber adhesive.
- An initiator system 37 will be installed on the inside of the inner shell. If required, external thermal insulation (ablative coating) will be added to the overall outside surface after final assembly. (FIGS. 5 and 6).
- This method of construction permits the surface warhead area to occupy a large percentage of the total shell area.
- the warhead can also be located along only one side or segment of the shell, giving a focused effect to the fragment pattern.
- Light weight spacers may be used to form the basket pattern in the non-warhead areas, lowering structural weight. Selective arrangement of internal equipment will maintain a balanced center of gravity.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A missile having a forward warhead section. The missile warhead section iudes a skin for enclosing various missile components. The skin or shell of the warhead is comprised a plurality of pellets incorporated within the structural shell and forming a part thereof. The pellets are supported on a sheet explosive which is actuated to direct the pellets away from the missile body for impact with an incoming ICBM.
Description
The invention described herein was made in the course of or under a contract or subcontract thereunder with the Government and may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalties thereon.
Certain types of anti-ballistic missiles incorporate a warhead designed to scatter hundreds of metal pellets in a predetermined pattern. The pellets provide a kill mechanism against ICBM's by forming a pattern through which the ICBM must travel to impact with a target. Upon impact between the ICBM and some of the pellets, the kinetic energy is such that the ICBM is destroyed.
In some missiles, the structure surrounding the warhead must be removed before firing and releasing the pellets. This is very difficult. Or, the entire pellet/explosive structure must be located outside the missile shell. The latter option requires that the strutural shell outer diameter of the nose portion of the missile be reduced to pass beneath the external warhead layer. This causes increased strutural weight and loss of bending stiffness of the missile body.
In the present invention the pellets and explosives are incorporated within the structural shell of the missile. No added structure is required underneath the warhead layer. Therefore, a straight load path is retained in the shell, reducing structural weight and bending deflection. This also results in maximum internal volume.
FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of the forward portion of a missile showing a warhead section incorporating the structure of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the missile taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate surface patterns of a warhead incorporating square or hexagonal configurations for housing the warhead of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 showing a bolted lap joint for joining sections of the warhead.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the use of an ablative layer for covering the warhead pellets and also illustrating an initiator circuit emplaced in the structure.
As seen in FIG. 1, the forward section of a missile 10 is shown to include a guidance section 12, a warhead section 14, and a control section 16. Warhead section 14 is diagrammatially shown to include a plurality of annular assemblies 18 of pellets 20 which are disposed to be scattered in a predetermined pattern for impact with an ICBM. As seen in FIG. 2 the assemblies 18 are positioned around the missile intermediate the inner surface 22 and outer surface 24 which forms the missile shell 26.
FIG. 3 illustrates a square surface pattern of a container 28 which houses the pellets 20 in the warhead section 14 of the missile 10. FIG. 4 illustrates a hexagonal surface pattern of a container 28 which houses pellets 20 in the warhead section 14 of the missile 10.
Each pellet 20 is contained in a thin metal shell or container 28 and a sheet explosive 30 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is positioned in the container beneath the pellet. The pellet shape on the external surface may be triangular, square, hexagonal or round. Typically, the pellet depth will usually equal the average pellet diameter.
A cylindrical or conical tooling mandrel is used to lay up the inner skin 22 of the warhead section shell. After cure, the inner shell is removed from the mandrel and pellet containers 28 of the desired pattern or light weight spaces 32 are positioned on the shell surface and bonded or riveted in place. Tows of graphite fiber 34 are then wet wound into the slots in a continuous criss-cross (basket-weave) manner (FIG. 6) until the slots are filled to the outer surface. Fibers 34 are held in position by an epoxy adhesive. Steps 36 for a bolted lap joint (FIG. 5) are machined into the solid laminate area at the forward and aft end of the section.
After completion of all other manufacturing steps, the containers of explosive and pellet are inserted into the openings and retained by bonding with silicone rubber adhesive. An initiator system 37 will be installed on the inside of the inner shell. If required, external thermal insulation (ablative coating) will be added to the overall outside surface after final assembly. (FIGS. 5 and 6).
This method of construction permits the surface warhead area to occupy a large percentage of the total shell area. The warhead can also be located along only one side or segment of the shell, giving a focused effect to the fragment pattern. Light weight spacers may be used to form the basket pattern in the non-warhead areas, lowering structural weight. Selective arrangement of internal equipment will maintain a balanced center of gravity.
Claims (6)
1. In a missile having a warhead section enclosing a plurality of pellets disposed for impact with an incoming target, said warhead section comprising:
a. a structural shell;
b. a plurality of pellet assemblies disposed around the periphery of said shell, said pellet assemblies including pellets disposed for expulsion from said missile shell for impact with an incoming target, said pellet assemblies and said missile shell forming an integral structural assembly; and;
c. explosive means for expelling said pellets from said missile shell.
2. A warhead shell assembly as in claim 1 including a plurality of pellet housings for enclosing each said pellet, said housings being in spaced relation around said warhead shell.
3. A warhead shell assembly as in claim 2 wherein said explosive means is a sheet explosive carried in each said pellet housing beneath said pellet, and, an initiator adjacent said sheet explosive for actuation thereof.
4. A warhead shell assembly as in claim 3 including tows of graphite fiber disposed in layers in the spaces between said pellet assemblies, said graphite layers being secured in position by an epoxy adhesive.
5. A warhead shell assembly as in claim 4 including thermal insulating means disposed over said pellet assemblies and around said missile shell.
6. A warhead shell assembly as in claim 5 wherein said insulating means is comprised of ablative material.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/812,602 USH160H (en) | 1985-12-23 | 1985-12-23 | Integral structural warhead shell |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/812,602 USH160H (en) | 1985-12-23 | 1985-12-23 | Integral structural warhead shell |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USH160H true USH160H (en) | 1986-11-04 |
Family
ID=25210086
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/812,602 Abandoned USH160H (en) | 1985-12-23 | 1985-12-23 | Integral structural warhead shell |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | USH160H (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5117759A (en) * | 1991-08-05 | 1992-06-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Filamentary composite dual wall warhead |
US5701337A (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-12-23 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | System and method for implementing a combined mobile phone and pager in a telecommunications network |
US5710987A (en) * | 1993-02-25 | 1998-01-20 | Motorola, Inc. | Receiver having concealed external antenna |
US6101384A (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 2000-08-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method for automatically changing service area of wide area pager in second generation digital cordless telephone |
US20060032782A1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2006-02-16 | Suh Mickey J | Self-contained baby care kit having a subsequent use |
US20080086103A1 (en) * | 2006-10-04 | 2008-04-10 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Kit including an absorbent article |
-
1985
- 1985-12-23 US US06/812,602 patent/USH160H/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5117759A (en) * | 1991-08-05 | 1992-06-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Filamentary composite dual wall warhead |
US5710987A (en) * | 1993-02-25 | 1998-01-20 | Motorola, Inc. | Receiver having concealed external antenna |
US5701337A (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-12-23 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | System and method for implementing a combined mobile phone and pager in a telecommunications network |
US6101384A (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 2000-08-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method for automatically changing service area of wide area pager in second generation digital cordless telephone |
US20060032782A1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2006-02-16 | Suh Mickey J | Self-contained baby care kit having a subsequent use |
US20080086103A1 (en) * | 2006-10-04 | 2008-04-10 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Kit including an absorbent article |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PERRY, JOHN S.;REEL/FRAME:004597/0686 Effective date: 19851118 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |