Configurable Warhead with Hinged Segments for Target Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-delivered tactical warheads lack flexibility in targeting, as they are ineffective against both armored vehicles and collections of lighter vehicles or personnel, as they are optimized for a single type of target.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical warhead with a conical central segment and hingedly attached peripheral segments, allowing for dynamic configuration changes between a closed position for maximizing EFP slug power and an open position for forward-directed fragmentation, selectable based on target type through user input or automatic electronics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the warhead uses a conventional EFP configuration optimized for armored vehicles, then the EFP slug power is maximized, but the effectiveness against collections of lighter vehicles and personnel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEFP slug powerVSAvoidtarget type flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The warhead is divided into a central segment containing the EFP liner and multiple peripheral segments that can be independently configured. Each peripheral segment contains its own explosive charge and can be positioned to either confine the central explosive (maximizing EFP power) or open to create additional fragmentation (enhancing area target effectiveness), thus resolving the contradiction between single-target optimization and multi-target versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral segments are designed with hinges allowing dynamic reconfiguration between closed and open positions. This dynamic capability enables the warhead to adapt its configuration based on the detected target type, transitioning from an armored-vehicle-optimized state to an area-target-optimized state, thereby achieving both high EFP power when needed and enhanced fragmentation when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the warhead configuration is fixed for armored vehicle targets, then the EFP slug effectiveness is maximized, but the destructive effect against area targets is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEFP slug effectivenessVSAvoidarea target coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The warhead is designed to perform multiple functions through the configurable peripheral segments. When closed, it functions as a high-power EFP warhead for armored vehicles. When opened, it functions as a fragmentation warhead for area targets. This multi-functionality allows a single warhead design to effectively address both armored vehicle threats and area target threats without requiring separate specialized warheads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If the peripheral segments are kept closed to confine explosive energy, then the EFP slug velocity is maximized, but the forward-directed fragmentation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEFP slug velocityVSAvoidfragmentation quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible deployment against various targets by maximizing energy transfer in closed configuration and enhancing destructive effect with forward-directed fragments in open configuration, improving overall tactical effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Upon detonation, the liner forms an elongated, high-velocity slug capable of penetrating steel vehicle bodies and other relatively hard target objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosively Formed Penetrator (EFP): Explosion

Implementation Method 2

The peripheral segments are hingedly attached to the central segment about the liner at the front end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

A detonator initiates simultaneous detonation of the high explosive of the central and peripheral segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentUS8955443B1Warhead having selectable axial effects

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A cylindrical warhead is divided into a conical central segment and peripheral segments. The central segment has a disk-shaped liner bounding a cavity with high explosive and forming a penetrating projectile. The peripheral segments are hingedly attached to the central segment and have outer segment faces bounding respective cavities with high explosive, the segment faces forming sidewalls of the warhead in a closed position. The peripheral segments can be released to an open position in which the segment faces point in the forward direction for detonation. The warhead may be used in the closed position for single hardened targets such as armored vehicles and in the open position for area targets such as lighter vehicles and personnel. Opening of the warhead may be enabled at a time of launch of the warhead, or at a time of target acquisition after launch.