Munition Warhead Dual Projection Modes via Shock Attenuation Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current munitions lack the ability to selectively control the projection energy and velocity profiles of projectiles, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in various tactical scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A munition design featuring a warhead with a tubular shock attenuation barrier and dual explosive charges, allowing for two projection modes: a high-velocity area attack mode and a controlled strike mode with reduced velocities and graded velocity profiles, achieved by strategically detonating core and main charges with the aid of boosters and a shock attenuation barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single explosive charge is used in conventional munitions, then the structure is simple, but the ability to control projection energy and velocity profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The warhead is divided into multiple functional segments: a core charge surrounded by a shock attenuation barrier, with a main charge surrounding the barrier. This segmentation allows independent control of different explosive charges to achieve multiple projection modes with different velocity profiles, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by organizing complexity into manageable functional segments.
Solution Approach 2:
A shock attenuation barrier is introduced as an intermediary component between the core charge and main charge. This barrier mediates the interaction between the two explosive charges, allowing the core charge to be detonated without immediately detonating the main charge, thereby enabling controlled projection modes with reduced velocities while maintaining the option for high-velocity modes.
2Area of stationary object
If high explosive velocity is used for area attack, then wide-area lethality is achieved, but collateral damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The warhead implements dynamic control over projectile velocity profiles through selective detonation sequences. By choosing to detonate only the main charge or both the core charge and main charge, the system can dynamically adjust between high-velocity area attack mode (maximum lethality area) and controlled strike mode (reduced collateral damage), allowing adaptation to different tactical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the velocity parameter of projected fragments by controlling which explosive charges are detonated. Detonating only the main charge produces one velocity profile, while detonating both core and main charges with the shock attenuation barrier in place produces a different velocity profile, thereby changing the area of lethality and collateral damage characteristics without mechanical modifications.
3Speed
If the core charge detonation wave directly detonates the main charge, then high projection velocity is achieved, but control over velocity profile is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shock attenuation barrier serves as an intermediary that controls the transmission of the detonation wave from the core charge to the main charge. By adjusting the properties and configuration of this barrier, the system can control whether the core charge detonation wave directly detonates the main charge (high velocity) or attenuates it (reduced velocity control), thereby maintaining both speed and adaptability.
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 and precise control over projectile dispersion, providing both wide-area and focused lethality without mechanical modifications, reducing collateral damage and enhancing tactical flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the core charge detonator detonates the core charge proximate the first barrier end such that a core charge detonation wave propagates through the passage to the second barrier end
Implementation Method 2
tubular shock attenuation barrier including an axially extending passage
Implementation Method 3
the main charge detonator detonates the main charge to thereby forcibly project the projectiles from the warhead with a first set of projection velocities
Data Source
AI summary
A munition includes a warhead having a warhead axis and axially opposed first and second warhead ends. The warhead includes: a tubular shock attenuation barrier including an axially extending passage extending from a first barrier end proximate the first warhead end to a second barrier end proximate the second warhead end; an explosive core charge disposed in the passage; an explosive main charge surrounding the shock attenuation barrier; projectiles surrounding the main charge; a core charge detonator; and a main charge detonator. The warhead is configured to be activated in each of a first projection mode and an alternative second projection mode. When the warhead is activated in the first projection mode, the main charge detonator detonates the main charge to thereby forcibly project the projectiles from the warhead with a first set of projection velocities and velocity profile. When the warhead is activated in the second projection mode, the core charge detonator detonates the core charge proximate the first barrier end such that a core charge detonation wave propagates through the passage to the second barrier end and, at the second barrier end, the core charge detonation wave detonates the main charge to thereby forcibly project the projectiles from the warhead with a second set of projection velocities and velocity profile. The second set of projectile velocities and velocity profile is different from the first set of projectile velocities and velocity profile.