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US 6,523,477 B1Granted
Enhanced performance insensitive penetrator warhead
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsGeorge W. Brooks, Eric E. Roach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A warhead assembly includes a penetrating casing having a forward nose portion and an generally cylindrical aft portion opposite said nose portion. A closure ring is disposed in said aft portion, a vent also being provided in said aft portion. The warhead casing is filled with a predetermined level of explosive material. Preferably the explosive composition contain reduced amounts of explosive material and a strong oxidizer. The warhead assembly possesses superior penetration and blast performance, as well as superior Insensitive Munitions characteristics.
Claims45
A warhead assembly comprising:
- a penetrating warhead casing, said casing comprises an ogive-shaped end portion, and a substantially cylindrically-shaped aft end portion at an end of the warhead opposite from said nose portion, a bore formed in said aft end portion;
- an aft closure ring fitted within said bore, and a vent disposed within said aft closure ring;
- and
- said casing filled to a predetermined level with an explosive material, said explosive material having a composition comprising:
- Min. Amount Max. Amount component (weight %) (Weight %) RDX (4μ) 19.0 21.0 Ammonium Perchlorate 29.0 32.0 Aluminum 32.0 35.0 Poly BD 4.44 4.44 Dioctyl Adipate 6.56 6.56 Isophorone Diisocyanate 0.45 0.45 Lecithin 0.30 0.50 Triphenyl Bismuth 0.01 0.30
2 more elements
A warhead assembly comprising:
- a penetrating warhead casing comprising a vented aft end portion;
- said casing filled to a predetermined level with an explosive material, the explosive material having a composition comprising the following constituents, in weight percent:
- Min. Amount Max. Amount component (weight %) (Weight %) RDX (4μ) 19.0 21.0 Ammonium Perchlorate 29.0 32.0 Aluminum 32.0 35.0 Poly BD 4.44 4.44 Dioctyl Adipate 6.56 6.56 Isophorone Diisocyanate 0.45 0.45 Lecithin 0.30 0.50 Triphenyl Bismuth 0.01 0.30;
- and
- said vented aft end portion constructed, and the composition of said explosive material chosen, such that it will not explode when subjected to fast cook-off conditions comprising:
- suspending the warhead assembly above a container of flammable fuel;
- igniting the flammable fuel;
- and
- exposing the suspended warhead assembly to an average flame temperature of at least 1600° F. for a period of time of at least 35 minutes.
6 more elements
A warhead assembly comprising:
- a penetrating warhead casing having a substantially ogive-shaped nose portion, an aft end portion, an interior surface extending from the aft end portion including a forward interior end surface defining an explosive payload receiving section;
- an explosive material contained in the payload receiving section of the warhead casing and disposed along the interior surface;
- a bore formed in said aft end portion;
- an aft closure ring fitted within said bore, and a vent disposed within said aft closure ring;
- and wherein the explosive material includes the following constituents, in weight percent:
- 23.0-27.0% high explosive, 29.0-32.0% oxidizer, 32.0-35.0% metal fuel, 0.30-0.50% wetting agent, 0.01-0.30% catalyst, and 0.04-0.06% antioxidant.
3 more elements
A warhead assembly comprising:
- a penetrating warhead casing comprising a vented aft end portion;
- said casing filled to a predetermined level with an explosive material;
- and said vented aft end portion constructed, and the composition of said explosive material chosen, such that it will not explode when subjected to fast cook-off condition comprising:
- suspending the warhead assembly above a container of flammable fuel;
- igniting the flammable fuel;
- exposing the suspended warhead assembly to an average flame temperature of at least 1600° F. for a period of time of at least 35 minutes;
- and wherein the explosive material includes the following constituents, in weight percent:
- 23.0-27.0% high explosive, 29.0-32.0% oxidizer, 32.0-35.0% metal fuel, 0.30-0.50% wetting agent, 0.01-0.30% catalyst, and 0.04-0.06% antioxidant.
5 more elements
A warhead assembly comprising:
- a penetrating warhead casing, said casing comprises an ogive-shaped end portion, and a substantially cylindrically-shaped aft end portion at an end of the warhead opposite from said nose portion, a bore formed in said aft end portion;
- an aft closure ring fitted within said bore, and a vent disposed within said aft closure ring;
- and
- said casing filled to a predetermined level with an explosive material, said explosive material having a composition comprising in weight percent:
- 23.0-27.0% high explosives, 29.0-32.0% oxidizer, 32.0-35.0% metal fuel, 0.30-0.50% wetting agent, and 0.01-0.30% catalyst.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.