Tandem charge for underwater targets
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorCoulton T. Sadler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tandem charge for prosecution of underwater targets includes both a precursor charge (PC) and a follow through charge (FTC) oriented within and along an axis of a charge casing with the FTC positioned in front of the precursor charge. The precursor charge includes an explosive charge and a liner configured such that upon detonation of the explosive charge the liner forms an annular explosively formed penetrator (EFP) that is projected along the axis and passes around the FTC to cut a first hole in an outer surface of the target. The FTC is configured to be carried through the first hole in the outer surface of the target by the flow of water therethrough for detonation on the other side of the outer surface of the target, perhaps forming a second hole in an inner surface of the target.
Claims20
A tandem charge for prosecution of an underwater target, comprising:
- an underwater propulsion system;
- a charge casing;
- a precursor charge including an explosive charge and a liner oriented along an axis in the charge casing;
- and
- a follow through charge (FTC) oriented along the axis in front of the precursor charge in the charge casing,
- wherein the precursor charge is configured such that upon detonation of its explosive charge the liner forms an annular explosively formed penetrator (EFP) that is projected along the axis and passes around the FTC to cut a first hole in an outer surface of the target;
- wherein the FTC is configured to pass through the first hole in the outer surface of the target for detonation on the other side of the outer surface of the target.
A tandem charge, comprising:
- a charge casing;
- a precursor charge including an explosive charge and a liner oriented along an axis in the charge casing;
- and
- a follow through charge (FTC) oriented along the axis in front of the precursor charge within the charge casing,
- wherein the precursor charge is configured such that upon detonation of the explosive charge the liner forms an annular explosively formed penetrator (EFP) that is projected along the axis and passes around the FTC;
- wherein the FTC is configured to follow the EFP along the axis for subsequent detonation.
A method for prosecution of an underwater target, comprising:
- directing a tandem charge at the underwater target, said tandem charge including a precursor charge including an explosive charge and a liner oriented along an axis and a follow through charge (FTC) positioned on the axis in front of the precursor charge;
- detonating the explosive charge such that the liner forms an annular explosively formed penetrator (EFP) that is projected along the axis and passes around the FTC to cut a first hole in an outer surface of the target allowing water to flow through the first hole;
- allowing the flow of water to carry the FTC through the first hole in the outer surface of the target;
- and
- detonating an explosive material in the FTC on the other side of the outer surface of the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.