Munition Fragment Layers Penetrator Casing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional munitions with solid steel casings for penetrating hard targets result in low numbers of large fragments upon detonation, limiting their effectiveness in creating damage within hardened structures.
Innovation Solution
A warhead with a penetrator casing that includes reduced-thickness portions, such as non-intersecting elongate sections with holes or grooves, which weaken the casing to enhance fragment formation upon detonation, combined with lethality-enhancement materials like preformed fragments or energetic materials at these weakened areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid steel casings are used for penetrating hard targets, then penetration capability is improved, but fragment production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solid steel casing is segmented by introducing reduced-thickness portions (grooves or holes) that divide the continuous structure into weaker zones. These segmented regions allow the casing to break into multiple fragments upon detonation while the thicker adjacent portions maintain structural integrity for penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing transitions from uniform thickness to non-uniform thickness with localized reduced-thickness portions. The thicker regions provide strength for penetration while the thinner regions are designed to fragment, creating different local properties within the same structure.
2Quantity of substance
If reduced-thickness portions are added to enhance fragmentation, then fragment number is increased, but casing strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into distinct zones: thicker portions that maintain strength and thinner portions that facilitate fragmentation. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both strength and fragment production capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the casing is varied spatially to create regions with different mechanical properties. By controlling the thickness distribution, the casing can withstand impact forces while producing controlled fragments upon detonation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lethality-enhancement material is added at reduced-thickness portions, then effectiveness is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Lethality-enhancement materials (such as additional fragments or energetic materials) are pre-positioned at the reduced-thickness portions before detonation. This preliminary placement ensures that these materials are optimally positioned to enhance fragment production and lethality when the explosive detonates.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced-thickness portions serve as intermediaries that concentrate the explosive force and facilitate the ejection of lethality-enhancement materials. These intermediary structures transfer energy efficiently from the main explosive to the enhancement materials, maximizing their effect.
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 design significantly increases the number and effectiveness of fragments produced upon detonation, enhancing the warhead's ability to penetrate and damage hard targets while allowing for flexible fragment sizes and shapes to control dispersal patterns.
Implementation Method 1
an explosive enclosed by the casing is detonated
Implementation Method 2
enhanced formation of fragments from the casing when an explosive enclosed by the casing is detonated
Data Source
AI summary
A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments.