Rod warhead systems and associated methods
AssigneeArmtec Defense Products Co.
InventorEnrico R. Mutascio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Rod warhead systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projectile having an arrangement of rods is propelled along a trajectory toward an object. The arrangement of rods is radially expanded from a first position to a second position prior to the projectile impacting the object. The arrangement of rods impacts the object to breach at least a portion of the object. In a further embodiment, the arrangement of rods is expanded from the first position to the second position using a nonexplosive means. In another embodiment, the projectile includes a follow-up explosive device that applies an explosive force proximate to the object after the arrangement of rods impacts the object.
Claims13
A breaching method for creating a passageway through which personnel can pass, comprising:
- propelling a projectile along a trajectory toward a generally planar ground-supported structure, the projectile carrying an arrangement of rods expandable from a first position to a second position forming a substantially continuous loop formation;
- expanding the arrangement of rods radially relative to the trajectory from the first position to the second position prior to the projectile impacting the generally planar ground-supported structure;
- impacting the arrangement of rods in the second position against an impact area of the generally planar ground-supported structure wherein the impact area in an unbreached condition is constructed in a manner that would prevent the personnel from passing therethrough;
- breaching the impact area of the generally planar ground-supported structure with the arrangement of rods in the second position;
- and
- creating an aperture in the impact area of the generally planar ground-supported structure of a shape and size that allows personnel to pass through the aperture in the impact area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.