Fragment Array Intercepts Submunition Warheads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for defeating submunition-filled payloads, such as kinetic kill vehicles, lack operational flexibility and are inefficient in damaging thin-walled and robust submunitions, and struggle to define optimal impact angles and locations, leading to inadequate target destruction.
Innovation Solution
The use of arrays of pressure-releasing fragments, spaced to maximize impact region extent, which are directed to intercept targets at specific angles and velocities to induce stress concentrations and structural failure, causing submunition expulsion and loss of aerodynamic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional kinetic kill vehicles are used to intercept submunition-filled payloads, then the target can be intercepted, but the operational flexibility is limited and the damage effectiveness is insufficient against both thin-walled and robust submunitions
Solution Approach 1:
The intercept vehicle is divided into multiple independent penetrators arranged in an array, each capable of independently impacting the target. This segmentation provides operational flexibility in terms of impact geometry and allows effective damage against both thin-walled and robust submunitions through distributed penetration points
Solution Approach 2:
Each penetrator in the array is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for creating penetration points in different locations on the target. The array configuration provides varied impact angles and locations, enabling effective damage to both thin-walled and robust submunition structures at different positions on the target surface
2Device complexity
If a single impact point is used on the target, then the impact geometry is simple, but the ability to define optimal impact angles and locations is limited, leading to inadequate target destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The single impact point is segmented into multiple impact points distributed across the target surface in an array configuration. This provides multiple optimal impact angles and locations simultaneously, significantly improving target destruction effectiveness while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized penetrator designs
Solution Approach 2:
The impact geometry transitions from a single point to a distributed array across the target surface, adding spatial dimensionality to the impact strategy. This multi-point approach enables simultaneous optimization of impact angles and locations from different directions, leading to more comprehensive target destruction
3Ease of manufacture
If fragments are spaced far apart to simplify manufacturing, then the array configuration is easier to produce, but the impact region extent is reduced and stress concentrations are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing between fragments in the array is optimized to a specific range that balances manufacturability with effectiveness. This parameter optimization ensures that fragments are close enough to create overlapping stress concentration zones for cumulative damage, while remaining spaced sufficiently to allow practical manufacturing and assembly processes
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
This approach results in effective perforation and rupture of target structures, leading to premature release of submunition contents and disruption of aerodynamic characteristics, enhancing target destruction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
engaging the fragments to collide against an outer shell of the target, wherein the array distributes the fragments as having a collision velocity of between 1.8 km/s and 2.0 km/s
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for destroying a target that includes dispersing submunition fragments in an array that is directed to intercept the target, and engaging said fragments to collide against an outer shell of the target, wherein said array distributes said fragments as having a ratio between a characteristic length of said fragments and a separation distance of at most 2.5 and a collision velocity of between 1.8 km/s 2.0 km/s. The ratio is preferably at most 1.9. The characteristic length corresponds to a spherical radius of the fragment. Each fragment has a mass between 150 grains and 300 grains. The array is preferably aligned to intercept the target at an angle offset by between 15° and 45° from perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the target. Each fragment has a preferable shape of a prism, a trapezoid or a pyramid.