Controlled fragmentation warhead
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsBenjamin R. Brumfield, Clayton J. Julien
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Abstract
A controlled fragmentation warhead employing an annular body comprising r of keystone fragments. The rows of fragments are offset one from another in a specific pattern based on the number of rows of fragments. The explosive charge is positioned inside the annular body formed by the fragments and adjacent to their ends within an enclosed body. The explosive charge is detonated at both ends of the annular body at a precalculated interval to cause the resultant shock wave to disperse the fragments in a controlled and predetermined manner so as to derive optimum destructive force from the kinetic energy of the fragments in relation to the chosen target.
Claims10
A controlled fragmentation warhead comprising in combination:
- a. A plurality of substantially identical elongated fragments, each having a longitudinal axis, assembled about a common axis to form
- form an annular structure having annular ends, said common axis being the longitudinal axis of said annular structure, said annular structure being comprised of substantially identical and contiguous annular rows of said fragments, the fragments in each of said annular rows being substantially contiguously disposed such that the longitudinal axes of the fragments in each of said annular rows are parallel to said common axis;
- b. Means to enclose said annular structure so as to form a closed cavity therein, said enclosing means being so formed that said closed cavity includes an annular end space contiguous to each of said ends of said annular structure;
- c. An explosive charge completely filling said closed cavity;
- and
- d. Means for substantially simultaneously detonating said explosive charge at both ends thereof;! whereby axial as well as radial explosive pressure is applied to said fragments by said detonation at both ends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.