USH2025H1 - Serial output warhead - Google Patents
Serial output warhead Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USH2025H1 USH2025H1 US09/531,404 US53140400A USH2025H US H2025 H1 USH2025 H1 US H2025H1 US 53140400 A US53140400 A US 53140400A US H2025 H USH2025 H US H2025H
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- warhead
- compartments
- compartment
- explosive
- casing
- 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
- F42B12/201—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 characterised by target class
- F42B12/204—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 characterised by target class for attacking structures, e.g. specific buildings or fortifications, ships or vehicles
-
- 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
- F42B12/208—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 characterised by a plurality of charges within a single high explosive warhead
Definitions
- This invention relates to warheads intended for destruction of targets using strategic precision. Specifically, this invention relates to missile warheads designed to control an explosive blast.
- Missiles and warheads are used in a variety of demanding applications ranging from air to air and ground combat applications to structural demolition applications. Such applications often require missiles with warheads that can effectively and consistently penetrate and explode within hard targets with a great deal of accuracy.
- a typical hard target missile includes an explosive warhead enclosed within a steel case.
- a fuse serves to ignite the explosive warhead following target impact.
- the fuse detonates a booster charge or explosive lead, which in turn detonates the explosive fill in the warhead.
- the explosive fill may be comprised of many different chemical compositions, depending upon the desired effect of the warhead. Generally, the entire explosive fill is detonated and any other target that is not destroyed by the blast is left in tact. As a result, another missile must be sent to destroy any other remaining target.
- Detonators contained within the housing of a warhead may be defined as a primary explosive or a secondary explosive.
- Primary explosives are generally contained within the fuse, while secondary explosives are located closer in proximity to the explosive fill and actually detonate the explosive fill.
- a primary explosive in the fuse initiates the detonator cord leading to a secondary explosive in the explosive fill.
- Examples of secondary explosives are boosters and explosive leads.
- Sympathetic detonation is an explosive chain reaction that occurs when one device or round (often referred to as a “donor explosion”) initiates a shock wave that results in the high-order detonation throughout adjacent explosives.
- Sympathetic detonation has been addressed in related technology.
- One method of mitigating the effect of the dynamic shock which causes sympathetic detonation uses ground or crushed compressible pumice as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 issued Oct. 27, 1992 to Halsey, et al. and assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 discloses a material for absorbing the dynamic shock of an explosion to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives.
- the material comprises a filler material for damping an explosive shock.
- the filler means is collapsible and capable of absorbing an explosive shock and is also nonflammable in an aggressive thermal environment.
- a binding means allows the filler to cast into a self-supporting shape.
- a relatively compressible volcanic material, that is, a pumice is provided with a binder of a casting plaster.
- the serial output warhead of the present invention addresses the need in the art.
- the current invention was devised to provide a warhead or missile that may perforate numerous barriers and engage several layers of a target.
- a standard warhead casing is divided into compartments, which contain explosive fill.
- a shock-absorbing shield is located between adjoining compartments to mitigate the dynamic shock of an explosion that may cause sympathetic detonation.
- a shielded detonation cord runs from the fuse well through each compartment.
- a delay element is placed in each compartment to ensure that each compartment is detonated at the desired time.
- One object of the present invention is to create a warhead that engage and destroy numerous layers of a target with precision.
- Another object of the invention is to create a warhead that can produce explosions with extreme accuracy, which allows a reduction of collateral damage to objects adjacent to the target.
- a still further object of the invention is to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosive fill within the warhead.
- the invention addresses the need for a missile, which perforate numerous barriers and void configurations and deliver lethal energy to each void as it travels through the target. This allows use of the missile against a broader range of targets.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a warhead in accordance with the present invention.
- the warhead 1 includes a casing 2 divided into compartments 3 and a fuzewell 8 at one end. Explosive fill 4 is located within each compartment 3 . A shock-absorbing shield 5 is located between each compartment 3 . The compartment 3 farthest in proximity from the fazewell 8 acts as the terminal end of a shielded detonation cord 7 , which originates at the fuzewell 8 . A delay element 6 is located in each compartment 3 to control the time delay between detonations. The delay element 6 is a secondary explosive, which may be set to detonate the explosive fill 4 of each compartment 3 at different time intervals. A booster or explosive lead may act as a delay element 6 .
- the invention is initiated by the fuze 9 in the fuzewell 8 .
- a single length of shielded detonator cord 7 is initiated by the fuze 9 in the fuzewell 8 .
- the detonator cord 7 instantaneously initiates delay elements 6 embedded in each explosive fill compartment 3 .
- a shock-absorbing shield 5 is used between each explosive fill compartment 3 to prevent sympathetic detonation of an adjoining compartment 3 .
- Common examples of explosive fill are CH6 and PBXN- 7.
- the shock absorbing shield 5 is constructed of ground or crushed compressible pumice as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 issued Oct. 27, 1992 to Halsey, et al. and assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 is incorporated herein by reference.
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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
This invention involves a hard target penetrating warhead designed to penetrate several layers of a target. A standard warhead casing is divided into several compartments with each compartment separated by a shock-absorbing shield. Explosive fill in contained within each compartment. The shock-absorbing shield inhibits the dynamic shock produced by detonating a compartment, thus preventing sympathetic detonation of adjoining compartments. Each compartment also contains a delay element, which permits each compartment to be ignited at the desired time. This allows the warhead to destroy a layer of a target then proceed to the next layer or layers, eliminating the need for several missiles to destroy the entire target.
Description
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to warheads intended for destruction of targets using strategic precision. Specifically, this invention relates to missile warheads designed to control an explosive blast.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Missiles and warheads are used in a variety of demanding applications ranging from air to air and ground combat applications to structural demolition applications. Such applications often require missiles with warheads that can effectively and consistently penetrate and explode within hard targets with a great deal of accuracy.
A typical hard target missile includes an explosive warhead enclosed within a steel case.
A fuse serves to ignite the explosive warhead following target impact. When a warhead penetrates a target, the fuse detonates a booster charge or explosive lead, which in turn detonates the explosive fill in the warhead. The explosive fill may be comprised of many different chemical compositions, depending upon the desired effect of the warhead. Generally, the entire explosive fill is detonated and any other target that is not destroyed by the blast is left in tact. As a result, another missile must be sent to destroy any other remaining target.
Detonators contained within the housing of a warhead may be defined as a primary explosive or a secondary explosive. Primary explosives are generally contained within the fuse, while secondary explosives are located closer in proximity to the explosive fill and actually detonate the explosive fill. A primary explosive in the fuse initiates the detonator cord leading to a secondary explosive in the explosive fill. Examples of secondary explosives are boosters and explosive leads.
As warfare becomes more focused on isolating and destroying specific targets, while limiting the damage to any adjacent area, the need for weaponry arises that enables the military to eliminate targets with a great precision. Ideally, the military seeks to limit casualties in the civilian population, as well as, damage to non-military targets such as schools, hospitals and places of worship. To ensure this type of surgical precision, the location of the explosion must be controlled to some extent. Often, military targets are deeply embedded in bunkers or buildings. As a result, several missiles must be deployed and several layers must be destroyed before the target can be reached.
Hence, a need exists in the art for a safe and cost effective warhead, which possesses the capability to destroy several layers of armor or barriers, while limiting the possibility that undetonated explosive fill will undergo sympathetic detonation.
Sympathetic detonation is an explosive chain reaction that occurs when one device or round (often referred to as a “donor explosion”) initiates a shock wave that results in the high-order detonation throughout adjacent explosives. Sympathetic detonation has been addressed in related technology. One method of mitigating the effect of the dynamic shock which causes sympathetic detonation uses ground or crushed compressible pumice as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 issued Oct. 27, 1992 to Halsey, et al. and assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 discloses a material for absorbing the dynamic shock of an explosion to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives. The material comprises a filler material for damping an explosive shock.
The filler means is collapsible and capable of absorbing an explosive shock and is also nonflammable in an aggressive thermal environment. A binding means allows the filler to cast into a self-supporting shape. A relatively compressible volcanic material, that is, a pumice is provided with a binder of a casting plaster.
The serial output warhead of the present invention addresses the need in the art. The current invention was devised to provide a warhead or missile that may perforate numerous barriers and engage several layers of a target.
In the invention, a standard warhead casing is divided into compartments, which contain explosive fill. A shock-absorbing shield is located between adjoining compartments to mitigate the dynamic shock of an explosion that may cause sympathetic detonation. A shielded detonation cord runs from the fuse well through each compartment. A delay element is placed in each compartment to ensure that each compartment is detonated at the desired time.
One object of the present invention is to create a warhead that engage and destroy numerous layers of a target with precision.
Another object of the invention is to create a warhead that can produce explosions with extreme accuracy, which allows a reduction of collateral damage to objects adjacent to the target.
A still further object of the invention is to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosive fill within the warhead.
The invention addresses the need for a missile, which perforate numerous barriers and void configurations and deliver lethal energy to each void as it travels through the target. This allows use of the missile against a broader range of targets.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a warhead in accordance with the present invention.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1. The warhead 1 includes a casing 2 divided into compartments 3 and a fuzewell 8 at one end. Explosive fill 4 is located within each compartment 3. A shock-absorbing shield 5 is located between each compartment 3. The compartment 3 farthest in proximity from the fazewell 8 acts as the terminal end of a shielded detonation cord 7, which originates at the fuzewell 8. A delay element 6 is located in each compartment 3 to control the time delay between detonations. The delay element 6 is a secondary explosive, which may be set to detonate the explosive fill 4 of each compartment 3 at different time intervals. A booster or explosive lead may act as a delay element 6.
The invention is initiated by the fuze 9 in the fuzewell 8. A single length of shielded detonator cord 7 is initiated by the fuze 9 in the fuzewell 8. The detonator cord 7 instantaneously initiates delay elements 6 embedded in each explosive fill compartment 3. A shock-absorbing shield 5 is used between each explosive fill compartment 3 to prevent sympathetic detonation of an adjoining compartment 3. Common examples of explosive fill are CH6 and PBXN-7. In the preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing shield 5 is constructed of ground or crushed compressible pumice as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 issued Oct. 27, 1992 to Halsey, et al. and assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,173 is incorporated herein by reference.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing an illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims (6)
1. A warhead which comprises:
a casing;
a plurality of compartments contained within said casing;
an explosive fill contained within each of said compartments;
means for absorbing dynamic shock positioned between adjacent compartments within said casing, wherein said means for absorbing dynamic shock is a pumice shield, said pumice shield being constructed of ground or crushed compressible pumice;
a delay element disposed within each of said plurality of compartments;
a fuzewell attached to said casing; and
a shielded detonation cord, said shielded detonation cord having a first end and a second, said first end originating in said fuzewell and a second end terminating in a compartment farthest in proximity from said fuzewell, so that said shielded detonation cord runs through each of said plurality of compartments.
2. The warhead of claim 1 , wherein said explosive fill is CH6 or PBXN-7.
3. The warhead of claim 1 , wherein said delay element is a booster or an explosive lead.
4. A warhead which comprises:
a casing;
a plurality of compartments for containing explosives within said warhead;
a shock-absorbing shield positioned between adjacent compartments within said casing, so that unwanted sympathetic detonation is hindered, wherein said shock-absorbing shield is constructed of ground or crushed compressible pumice;
a delay element disposed within each of said plurality of compartments;
a fuse well means attached to said casing; and
a shielded detonation cord, said shielded detonation cord having a first end and a second, said first end originating in said fuzewell and a second end terminating in a compartment farthest in proximity from said fuzewell, so that said shielded detonation cord runs through each of said plurality of compartments.
5. The warhead of claim 4 , wherein said explosive fill is CH6 or PBXN-7.
6. The warhead of claim 4 , wherein said delay element is a booster or an explosive lead.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/531,404 USH2025H1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-03-20 | Serial output warhead |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/531,404 USH2025H1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-03-20 | Serial output warhead |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USH2025H1 true USH2025H1 (en) | 2002-06-04 |
Family
ID=24117487
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/531,404 Abandoned USH2025H1 (en) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-03-20 | Serial output warhead |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | USH2025H1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6601517B1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-08-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Super-cavitating penetrator warhead |
US20040020398A1 (en) * | 2000-07-03 | 2004-02-05 | Torsten Ronn | Subcalibre kinetic energy projectile |
CN102494563A (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2012-06-13 | 湖北航天技术研究院总体设计所 | Bundled bullet release device with primary and secondary structure |
US9267774B2 (en) | 2012-04-03 | 2016-02-23 | Israel Military Industries Ltd. | Missile warhead |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2941615A (en) * | 1956-05-01 | 1960-06-21 | Texaco Inc | Device for loading tandem charge arrays |
US3812783A (en) * | 1972-08-03 | 1974-05-28 | Nasa | Optically detonated explosive device |
US3977330A (en) * | 1973-02-23 | 1976-08-31 | Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gmbh | Warhead construction having an electrical ignition device |
US4391195A (en) * | 1979-08-21 | 1983-07-05 | Shann Peter C | Detonation of explosive charges and equipment therefor |
US4662281A (en) * | 1984-09-28 | 1987-05-05 | The Boeing Company | Low velocity disc pattern fragment warhead |
US5158173A (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-10-27 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Weapons storage container to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent weapons |
US5229542A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1993-07-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Selectable fragmentation warhead |
USH1214H (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1993-08-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Multiple point laser detonation system for explosive charges |
US5698814A (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 1997-12-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Hard target penetrator with multi-segmenting casing cutter |
US5939663A (en) * | 1996-02-14 | 1999-08-17 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Method for dispersing a jet from a shaped charge liner via multiple detonators |
-
2000
- 2000-03-20 US US09/531,404 patent/USH2025H1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2941615A (en) * | 1956-05-01 | 1960-06-21 | Texaco Inc | Device for loading tandem charge arrays |
US3812783A (en) * | 1972-08-03 | 1974-05-28 | Nasa | Optically detonated explosive device |
US3977330A (en) * | 1973-02-23 | 1976-08-31 | Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gmbh | Warhead construction having an electrical ignition device |
US4391195A (en) * | 1979-08-21 | 1983-07-05 | Shann Peter C | Detonation of explosive charges and equipment therefor |
US4662281A (en) * | 1984-09-28 | 1987-05-05 | The Boeing Company | Low velocity disc pattern fragment warhead |
US5158173A (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-10-27 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Weapons storage container to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent weapons |
US5229542A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1993-07-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Selectable fragmentation warhead |
USH1214H (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1993-08-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Multiple point laser detonation system for explosive charges |
US5698814A (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 1997-12-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Hard target penetrator with multi-segmenting casing cutter |
US5939663A (en) * | 1996-02-14 | 1999-08-17 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Method for dispersing a jet from a shaped charge liner via multiple detonators |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040020398A1 (en) * | 2000-07-03 | 2004-02-05 | Torsten Ronn | Subcalibre kinetic energy projectile |
US6895864B2 (en) * | 2000-07-03 | 2005-05-24 | Borfors Defence Ab | Subcalibre kinetic energy projectile |
US6601517B1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-08-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Super-cavitating penetrator warhead |
CN102494563A (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2012-06-13 | 湖北航天技术研究院总体设计所 | Bundled bullet release device with primary and secondary structure |
CN102494563B (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2014-06-04 | 湖北航天技术研究院总体设计所 | Bundled bullet release device with primary and secondary structure |
US9267774B2 (en) | 2012-04-03 | 2016-02-23 | Israel Military Industries Ltd. | Missile warhead |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MUNSINGER, TERRANCE LANE;REEL/FRAME:010683/0606 Effective date: 20000210 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |