Ammunition with directional projectiles

Abstract

The ammunition comprises an explosive having directional explosive properties, such as non-uniform detonation velocity. The explosive may contain multiple portions of the explosive having non-uniform properties, and / or portions having progressively non-uniform properties. The explosive may be used to propel material from the ammunition in a desired manner. For example, the material may be fragments that are part of a fragmentation projectile. Alternatively, the material may be a layer of material such as metal that generates an explosively formed penetrating or shaped charge. The explosive may be configured to control the diffusion and / or direction of the material propelled from the ammunition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Claim of Priority This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 308,994, filed Apr. 28, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of ammunition.

Background Art

[0003] A typical fragment warhead projects fragments at a known dispersion angle. Fragment mats and projector plates can be used to control the dispersion.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Known dispersion angles are often not ideal for breaking a particular target in a particular mission.

[0005] Ammunition uses non-uniformly directional explosives to project materials such as fragments and explosively formed penetrators.

[0006] Loading multiple explosives with different detonation velocities can change the detonation wavefront and ultimately change the dispersion of fragments and the direction and / or characteristics of penetrators.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, ammunition includes a first explosive having a relatively high detonation velocity and a second explosive having a relatively low detonation velocity, the relatively low detonation velocity being lower than the relatively high detonation velocity, and the second explosive being in contact with the first explosive.

[0008] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the ammunition further includes fragments operatively coupled to the first and second explosives, detonation of the first and second explosives propelling the fragments, and the ammunition is a fragment warhead.

[0009] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the first and second explosives are configured to propel fragments in a desired pattern when combined.

[0010] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the desired pattern includes a desired diffusion of fragments.

[0011] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the desired pattern includes the desired orientation.

[0012] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the fragment is on the surface of the explosive.

[0013] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the fragments are located around the explosive.

[0014] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the ammunition is an explosively formed penetrating or shaped-charge projectile, further comprising a penetrating material layer operatively coupled to the explosive.

[0015] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the penetration material is metal.

[0016] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the penetrating material is on the surface of the explosive.

[0017] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the first explosive surrounds the second explosive.

[0018] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the second explosive surrounds the first explosive.

[0019] According to any one or more embodiments of this summary, the first explosive is completely embedded within the second explosive.

[0020] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the second explosive is completely embedded within the first explosive.

[0021] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, at least one of the first explosive or the second explosive is axially symmetric.

[0022] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, at least one of the first explosive or the second explosive is non-axially symmetric.

[0023] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the boundary between the first explosive and the second explosive is inclined.

[0024] According to another aspect, an ammunition includes an explosive having a non-uniform detonation velocity and a material propelled by detonation of the explosive.

[0025] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the material includes fragments.

[0026] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the material includes a layer of material propelled as an explosively formed penetrator.

[0027] According to embodiments of any paragraph(s) of this summary, the explosive has a stepped detonation velocity.

[0028] According to yet another aspect, a method of constructing an ammunition includes providing a material propelled from the ammunition and configuring an explosive of the ammunition with a non-uniform detonation velocity, the explosive being operatively coupled to the material such that a desired material configuration is achieved when propelled from the ammunition upon detonation of the explosive.

[0029] With respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, several features are described herein, but the features described with respect to a given embodiment may also be used in connection with other embodiments. The following description and the accompanying drawings disclose specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, these embodiments illustrate only a few examples of the various ways in which the principles of the present disclosure may be used. Other objects, advantages, and novel features according to aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] Schematically shows ammunition according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] Illustrates the fragmentation pattern of one configuration of the ammunition of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Illustrates the fragmentation pattern of another configuration of the ammunition of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 6] Illustrates the fragmentation pattern of one configuration of the ammunition of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to a further embodiment. [Figure 8] Shows a cross-sectional view of an explosively formed penetrator according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 10] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 11] Shows a cross-sectional view of ammunition according to yet another embodiment. ​​​​​ [Figure 14] A perspective view of ammunition according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 15] Figure 14 shows a cross-section of the ammunition. [Figure 16] A perspective view of ammunition according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 17] Figure 16 shows a cross-section of the ammunition. [Figure 18] Figure 16 illustrates the fragmentation pattern generated by the ammunition. [Figure 19] A perspective view of ammunition according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 20] Figure 19 shows a cross-section of the ammunition. [Figure 21] Figure 18 illustrates the fragmentation pattern generated by the embodiment of the ammunition. [Figure 22] A cross-sectional view of conventional ammunition is shown. [Figure 23] A cross-sectional view of ammunition according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 24] This is a side cross-sectional view of ammunition used to generate a shaped-charge jet. [Figure 25] This is a side cross-sectional view of ammunition of another embodiment for manufacturing explosively shaped penetrating bodies. [Figure 26] This is a perspective view of ammunition according to one embodiment. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a cross-section view of the ammunition. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The ammunition comprises an explosive having directional explosive properties, such as non-uniform detonation velocity. The explosive may contain multiple portions of the explosive having non-uniform properties, and / or portions having progressively non-uniform properties. The explosive may be used to propel material from the ammunition in a desired manner. For example, the material may be fragments that are part of a fragmentation projectile. Alternatively, the material may be a layer of material such as metal that generates an explosively formed penetrating or shaped charge. The explosive may be configured to control the diffusion and / or direction of the material propelled from the ammunition.

[0033] Figure 1 schematically shows ammunition 10 having an explosive 12 with different explosive properties in different parts of the explosive 12. For example, the explosive 12 may include a first explosive 14 in contact with a second explosive 16. The explosives 14 and 16 have different explosive properties, such as different detonation velocities and / or different detonation pressures. The case or housing 18 may enclose the explosive 12 with one or more sides open, for example, to direct the explosive force toward the open side. Such a housing may be part of other embodiments described below.

[0034] The explosive charge 12 can be configured to use different explosive properties to provide desired directional properties through the pressure caused by the detonation of the explosive charge 12. For example, the explosive charge 12 can be configured to impart desired diffusion properties and / or other directional properties to fragments or other projectiles operatively coupled to the explosive charge 12. The fragments may be located at the end face of the explosive charge 12 and / or around the explosive charge 12.

[0035] For example, the explosive charge 12 may be configured to impart directional properties to a material that is part of an explosively formed penetration or shaped charge. In yet another example, the explosive charge 12 may be configured to directly output explosive force in a desired direction. Several non-limiting exemplary embodiments are described below.

[0036] The explosive charge 12 can take on various shapes. For example, the explosive charge 12 may be cylindrical, as can the other explosive charges described later.

[0037] Different explosives 14 and 16 may have different compositions. The types of explosive materials may differ. Alternatively, the basic explosive materials may be the same, but the additives may differ, such as different amounts of binders and / or other non-explosive additives. As another alternative example, different explosives 14 and 16 may have the same basic explosive materials, but have different (or different amounts of) explosive additives.

[0038] Examples of suitable explosive materials include PETN, PBXN-5, PBXN-9, PBXN-110, PBXN-109, PBXN-112, LX-14, Comp B, Comp A3, and Octol. For example, PBXN-5 may be used as a high detonation-rate explosive, while PETN may be used as a low detonation-rate explosive. Examples of suitable non-energy materials include Viton, wax, and HTPB.

[0039] The ammunition described in this invention may be a wide variety of weapons or devices (or parts thereof). Examples include warheads, bombs, missiles, and the like.

[0040] Figure 2 shows ammunition 20 having an explosive charge 22 containing a central inner cylindrical explosive charge 24 located in the center of an outer explosive charge 26. The inner explosive charge 24 is the core within the outer explosive charge 26, and the outer explosive charge 26 extends to completely cover a surface 28 at one end of the explosive charge 22. A series of fragments 30 are arranged on the surface 28.

[0041] The detonation velocity of the inner explosive 24 may be higher than that of the outer explosive 26. When the explosive 22 detonates, this configuration generates the fragmentation arrangement shown in Figure 3, and the fragments 30 become more concentrated and oriented toward the center of fragmentation.

[0042] Alternatively, the detonation velocity of the inner explosive 24 may be lower than that of the outer explosive 26. When the explosive 22 detonates, this configuration generates the fragmentation arrangement shown in Figure 4, causing the fragments 30 to spread more widely and the scattering of fragments at the center of the fragmentation to be more uniform. The detonation wave reaches the peripheral fragments 30 slightly before reaching the central fragments 30, pushing the peripheral fragments inward towards the centerline and correcting the natural tendency for the peripheral fragments to be deflected outward and fly at a lower speed than the central fragments.

[0043] Suitable materials for fragments include steel, tungsten, aluminum, tantalum, lead, titanium, zirconium, copper, molybdenum, magnesium, or other suitable materials such as metals, alloys of such metals, polymers, and reactive materials.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration, which includes a projectile 40 having an explosive charge 42 with two explosives 44 and 46 having different detonation velocities. The explosives 44 and 46 have an inclined interface, which causes the fragments 50 to scatter obliquely.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the arrangement of fragments 50 generated by the detonation of explosive 42 when the detonation velocity of explosive 44 is higher than that of explosive 46. The fragments 50 are deflected away from the explosive 44, which has a higher detonation velocity.

[0046] Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement, in which ammunition 70 has explosives 72 with different explosive properties in different parts (locations), and fragments 80 are arranged around the explosives 72 (circumference in the case of a cylinder). By changing the explosive properties (such as detonation velocity) in different parts of the explosives 72, different fragmentation patterns can be achieved when the fragments 80 are scattered when the explosives 72 are detonated. The arrangement of explosives within the explosives 72 can be diverse, and some of these possible arrangements are described herein. Both the arrangement and properties of the explosives involved affect the fragmentation pattern.

[0047] Figure 8 shows ammunition 90, which is a penetrating body formed explosively. Ammunition 90 has an explosive charge 92 with different explosive properties at different parts (locations), and a metal layer 100 on one side 98 of the explosive charge 92. Upon detonation of the explosive charge 92, the metal layer 100 transforms into an explosive penetrating body with kinetic energy capable of penetrating a target, such as metal or concrete. Different configurations of the explosive charge 92 result in different characteristics of the penetrating body, which may change (for example) the direction, diffusion, and energy of the penetrating body. Copper is an example material for the metal layer 100.

[0048] Many other explosive configurations are possible. Figure 9 shows ammunition 110 comprising an explosive 112 containing a first explosive 114 within a second explosive 116, where the explosives 114 and 116 have different properties, such as different detonation velocities. The first explosive 114 is spherical and is completely surrounded (embedded) by the second explosive. As described in other embodiments, the explosive 112 may be used to produce fragmentation projectiles in combination with fragments, and / or to produce explosively formed penetrating projectiles in combination with material layers.

[0049] Other shapes of embedded explosives are possible. Figure 10 shows one example of ammunition 130 having an explosive 132 containing a cylindrical first explosive 134 with rounded ends, surrounded (embedded) by a second explosive 136. The embedded explosive 134 may be an explosive with a higher detonation velocity than explosive 136, or it may be an explosive with a lower detonation velocity. The composition (shape) and / or properties of different explosive materials affect the pressure configuration produced by the detonation of the explosive 132.

[0050] Numerous spatial configurations are possible for multiple explosives with different explosive properties. In cylindrical explosives, one explosive may surround another, different explosives may be arranged along different parts of the circumference of an explosive, and the explosives may be axially symmetric or asymmetric.

[0051] Alternatively, the explosive charge may contain three or more explosives having different properties. An embodiment shown in Figure 11 is ammunition 150 having an explosive charge 152 containing a first explosive 154, a second explosive 156, and a third explosive 158. The explosives 154, 156, and 158 may all have different properties, such as different detonation velocities. The properties can be selected, or the explosives 154, 156, and 158 can be arranged, to obtain a desired result from the detonation of the explosive charge 152. For example, a desired scattering arrangement of fragments can be obtained.

[0052] Figure 12 illustrates another possibility, showing ammunition 170 having an explosive 172 with a stepped composition, rather than different explosives with one or more clear boundaries between them. The stepped composition allows the properties of the explosive material to change continuously from one part of the explosive 172 to another. The variation in explosive properties may be greater in one part of the explosive 172 than in another, and the explosive properties may be constant (or nearly constant) in another part of the explosive 172. Thus, the stepped composition may be continuous or variable, and may be limited to only one or more parts of the stepped explosive 172, such as a region (or group of regions) corresponding to a boundary (or group of boundaries) between different explosives in other embodiments described herein.

[0053] Figure 13 shows an outline flowchart of method 200 for constructing ammunition such as various types of ammunition described herein. Step 202 provides material to be propelled from the ammunition. The material may be fragments or a layer of material propelled as a penetrating body formed explosively.

[0054] In step 204, an explosive having a non-uniform detonation velocity is operationally coupled to the material being propelled, and configured to achieve a desired material composition when propelled from the munitions by the detonation of the explosive.

[0055] Figures 14 to 27 illustrate further embodiments. Figures 14 and 15 show ammunition 220 containing an explosive charge 222 comprising a first explosive 224 and a second explosive 226. The explosive charge 222 is used to eject fragments 230 from the housing 228 when detonated at the detonation point 232. If the first explosive 224 is a (relatively) "low-velocity" explosive (lower detonation velocity) and the second explosive 226 is a (relatively) "high-velocity" explosive (higher detonation velocity), the fragments 230 will scatter at a more uniform velocity and in a narrower pattern compared to ammunition with a uniform explosive charge. This may increase the lethality.

[0056] Figures 16 and 17 show a finned projectile 240 having fins 241 around a housing 248. The projectile 240 may have fragments 250 around the inner surface of the housing 248, or the projectile 240 itself may disintegrate into fragments when the explosive 242 detonates at the detonation point 252. The explosive 242 may have an annular cylindrical shape, with a first inner explosive 244 having a rounded cross shape, and a second outer explosive 246 positioned between the first inner explosive 244 and the housing 248.

[0057] Referring further to Figure 18, the first explosive 244 may be a low-velocity explosive, and the second explosive 246 may be a high-velocity explosive. This can result in a more uniform pattern of fragments 250 compared to similar munitions with a uniform explosive. In particular, the explosive 242 can drive some of the fragments 250 into a "corns of life" 256, normally free of fragments, located near the fin 241. This can improve the lethality and / or simplify detonation.

[0058] Figures 19 and 20 show another embodiment in which the ammunition 260 has a cylindrical explosive 262 containing a first explosive 264 and a second explosive 266. The explosive 262 is housed in a housing 268 which may contain fins 261 and may contain or be broken into fragments 270. The first explosive 264 may have a revolving trapezoidal shape located centrally and coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing 268. The second explosive 266 can fill the space between the first explosive 264 and the housing 268. The explosive 262 may be detonated at a detonation point 272 which may be located at the center of the end face of the first explosive at the narrow end of the first explosive 264.

[0059] The first explosive 264 may be faster than the second explosive 266, or the second explosive 266 may be faster than the first explosive 264. In a configuration where the first explosive 264 is a "high-velocity" explosive, the fragments may form a more uniform and denser pattern than in the case of similar ammunition with a uniform charge.

[0060] Figure 22 shows a conventional munition 300 used, for example, as part of a missile, which comprises a uniform explosive 302 configured to detonate at a detonation point 312, generating a football-shaped fragmentation pattern from fragments 310 on the outer surface of the explosive 302. This may be a desired fragmentation pattern when engaging a particular type of target.

[0061] Figure 23 shows ammunition 320 configured to produce a fragmentation pattern similar to that of ammunition 300 (Figure 22). Ammunition 320 has a first (low-velocity) explosive 324 located in the center of the explosive 322, and an explosive 322 with wide portions above and below a central detonation point 332. A second (high-velocity) explosive is located outside the first explosive 324. Fragments 330 are located on the outer surface of the second explosive 326.

[0062] The explosive 322 favorably fills the billet rather than leaving empty space as in the case of ammunition 300 (Figure 22). This prevents fragments from being ejected into the missile hull at suboptimal acceleration and prevents the greater velocity loss that is likely to occur at the top and bottom of ammunition 300 where there is more space. The fragments 330 of ammunition 320 scatter without being hindered by secondary collisions with the missile hull, resulting in increased velocity. The full caliber explosive billet of ammunition 320 produces a more optimal fragment velocity and explosive effect. Therefore, the lethality may be higher.

[0063] Figure 24 shows ammunition 340 equipped with an explosive charge 342 containing a first (low-velocity) explosive 344 and a second (high-velocity) explosive 346. The explosive charge 342 is detonated at a detonation point 352 on the surface of the first explosive charge 344 at the end of the ammunition 340 opposite the curved metal layer 350. The metal layer 350 is formed into a shaped charge jet upon detonation.

[0064] Figure 25 shows ammunition 360, which is similar to ammunition 340 (Figure 24), but has a flatter (shallower) metal layer 370 than the metal layer 350 (Figure 24). The metal layer 370 may be formed as a penetrating body explosively formed by detonation. The properties of the explosive used, the arrangement of the explosive, and the arrangement of the metal layer can all affect the composition and / or other properties of the resulting jet and / or penetrating body. Other embodiments of ammunition 360 may be similar to embodiments of ammunition 340.

[0065] Figures 26 and 27 show another embodiment of ammunition 380 having a multi-explosive charge 382 for producing multiple explosive shaped penetrating bodies from a metal layer 390 having a series of recesses or depressions. The explosive charge 382 has a first explosive 384 and a second explosive 386, and can be detonated at a detonation point 392 along the second explosive 386, at the end of the ammunition 380 opposite to the metal layer 390. In one embodiment, the first explosive 384 may be a low-velocity explosive and the second explosive may be a high-velocity explosive.

[0066] While this disclosure has shown and described in relation to one or more specific embodiments, equivalent changes and modifications will be recalled by those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. Specifically, with respect to the various functions performed by the aforementioned elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms used to describe such elements (including references to “means”) are intended, unless otherwise indicated, to correspond to any element that performs a particular function of the described element (i.e., is functionally equivalent), even if it is not structurally equivalent to the structure of the disclosure performing the function in one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure shown herein. Furthermore, while certain features of the disclosure may have been described in relation to only one or more of the several shown embodiments, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments so as to be desirable and advantageous in any given or particular application.

Claims

1. It is ammunition, A first explosive having a relatively high detonation velocity, A projectile comprising a second explosive having a relatively low detonation velocity, wherein the relatively low detonation velocity is lower than the relatively high detonation velocity, and the second explosive is in contact with the first explosive.

2. The ammunition according to claim 1, further comprising a fragment operatively coupled to the first explosive and the second explosive, wherein the detonation of the first explosive and the second explosive propels the fragment, and the ammunition is fragmentation ammunition.

3. The ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the first explosive and the second explosive are configured to combine to propel the fragments in a desired pattern.

4. The ammunition according to claim 3, wherein the desired pattern includes the desired dispersion of the fragments.

5. The ammunition according to claim 3, wherein the desired pattern includes a desired direction.

6. The ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the fragments are on the surface of the explosive.

7. The ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the fragments are located around the explosive charge.

8. The ammunition according to claim 1, further comprising a penetrating material layer operationally bonded to an explosive, wherein the ammunition is an explosively formed penetrating or shaped-charge projectile.

9. The ammunition according to claim 8, wherein the penetrating material is metal.

10. The ammunition according to claim 8, wherein the penetrating material is on the surface of the explosive.

11. The ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first explosive surrounds the second explosive.

12. The ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second explosive surrounds the first explosive.

13. The ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first explosive is completely embedded within the second explosive.

14. The ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second explosive is completely embedded within the first explosive.

15. The ammunition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the boundary between the first explosive and the second explosive is inclined.

16. It is ammunition, An explosive having a non-uniform detonation velocity, The ammunition comprises a material propelled by the detonation of the explosive.

17. The ammunition according to claim 16, wherein the material includes fragments.

18. The ammunition according to claim 16, wherein the material comprises a layer of material propelled as an explosively formed penetrating body or shaped charge.

19. The ammunition according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the explosive has a stepped detonation rate.

20. A method for constructing ammunition, To provide materials propelled by ammunition, A method comprising configuring the explosive of the ammunition with a non-uniform detonation velocity, wherein the explosive is operationally coupled to the material, and when propelled from the ammunition by the detonation of the explosive, a desired configuration of the material is achieved.

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