Splinter warhead for guided flying bodies for combating aerial targets

In a guided flying body for combating aerial targets, and of the type including front and rear body portions interconnected by a warhead envelope constructed as a splinter warhead transporting structural member carrying an explosive charge detonatable by a proximity fuse upon approach of the flying body to a target:

• the improvement in which said warhead comprises, in combination, a circular cross section explosive charge;
• a warhead envelope surrounding said charge;
• and a lining of pre-formed splinters on the circumferential periphery of said explosive charge and within said warhead envelope;
• said splinters having essentially a ball shape and an individual weight of less than 1 g;
• the average value of the diameter of said explosive charge being in excess of 25 times the average value of the diameter of said splinters;
• the circumferential peripheral surface of said explosive charge being outwardly concave and defined by an arcuate generatrix;
• the rear portion of said outward concave surface being a substnatial distance radially outwardly of the front portion of said outwardly concave surface, whereby, upon detonation of said explosive charge, a cone-shaped splinter ray is directed forwardly of the direction of movement of said body.