Missile nosepiece

A nosepiece for the forward end of a missile that is launched into the atmosphere for a ballistic trajectory and a water entry impact comprising in combination:

• a frangible, ogive-shaped base having a forward tip end and a rearward base end, the base end adapted for mounting to the forward end of the missile and the tip end truncated to expose an axial bore opening into the base;
• at least two segments of a rigid, cellular foam within the interior of the ogive-shaped base and defining an axial extension of the bore opening for a substantial portion of the length of the base from the tip end to the base end;
• a volume of a soft, open-called foam within the axial bore;
• and
• a nosecap adapted to fit into the bore opening at the forward tip end of the base and having an exterior surface shape which is an extension of the ogive-shaped base, said nosecap being in seated relationship on the tip end of the base during airborne flight of the missile and separable therefrom to expose the axial bore opening prior to water entry impact such that upon impact the ogive-shaped base is fractured by the force of water entering the exposed axial bore opening and is thus separated from the missile to completely expose the forward end of the missile.