Modular Mortar Projectile with Interchangeable Fragment Cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mortar munitions lack the necessary lethality, adaptability, and production efficiency to effectively engage modern targets while being compliant with insensitive munition standards, and they do not easily integrate with guided ammunition systems.
Innovation Solution
A high-explosive mortar munition design that optimizes fragmentation patterns and material distribution for enhanced lethality, using a combination of pre-formed and naturally fragmenting materials, with a unique aerodynamic shape and modular components for adjustable fragment sizes and rapid production, allowing for increased lethality and adaptability without excessive use of high-strength materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional mortar munitions are used, then production is simple and cost-effective, but lethality and adaptability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The munition is divided into modular components including a projectile body, removable cup devices, and interchangeable fragment bands. This segmentation allows different fragment producing regions to be selectively removed and changed, enabling adaptability while maintaining simple production processes using conventional manufacturing methods
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile body is designed with universal features that can accommodate multiple types of fragment producing regions and cup devices. This multi-functionality allows a single base design to support various mission requirements through interchangeable components, improving lethality without requiring entirely new production lines
2Strength
If high-strength materials are used throughout the projectile, then structural survivability is improved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
High-strength materials are applied only to specific locations within the projectile where structural survivability is critical, such as the projectile body and key mounting structures. Other areas use lighter materials, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio and reducing overall projectile weight while maintaining necessary structural integrity
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform fragment size is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different targets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fragment producing regions are designed to be interchangeable and selectively removable, allowing the munition configuration to be dynamically adapted to different mission requirements. Different fragment bands with varying fragment sizes and distributions can be installed based on the specific target type, providing versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components
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
The design achieves increased lethality and cost-effectiveness by optimizing fragmentation patterns and material distribution, enabling the munition to efficiently engage a wide range of targets with adjustable fragment sizes and rapid production, while maintaining structural survivability and aerodynamic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The projectile is then fired using chemical combustion to generate large volumes of expanding gas that propell the projectile out of the tube muzzle end
Implementation Method 2
A high-explosive mortar munition design that optimizes fragmentation patterns and material distribution for enhanced lethality
Data Source
AI summary
A mortar ammunition round which contains at least three fragment producing regions covered by a threadably removable aluminum cowling. Detachment of the cowling provides access to several of the fragment producing regions which are located on a removable cup device. A different cup device may then be selectively inserted and the cowling replaced, forming a new mortar round of different select performance capabilities.