SPIKE Penetrator Projectile Stability and Shock Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disrupter projectiles face challenges in penetrating steel-cased explosive devices without detonating the explosives, as they often cause shock waves and ignition due to matched shock impedances, and lack precision in disrupting explosive device componentry within hard shells.

Innovation Solution

The development of Short Pulse Intense Kinetic Energy (SPIKE) penetrators with a unique configuration that positions the center of pressure proximally relative to the center of gravity, providing stability and minimizing shock impulse, along with a specially designed tip geometry for precise penetration and disruption of explosive devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional steel or metal projectiles are used to penetrate hard-cased IEDs, then penetration capability is improved, but shock wave generation and explosive ignition risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration capabilityVSAvoidshock wave generation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the projectile from conventional steel to a softer material such as tungsten alloy or depleted uranium with controlled hardness. This parameter change allows the projectile to penetrate hard cases while reducing shock wave generation through controlled deformation and energy absorption during impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures where the projectile combines a hard tip for initial penetration with a softer body for controlled deformation. This composite approach enables the projectile to maintain penetration effectiveness while minimizing shock wave generation and fragment dispersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If high velocity steel projectiles are used, then penetration of steel cases is improved, but adiabatic heating and ignition of explosives occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile velocityVSAvoidadiabatic heating

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the velocity parameter by using propellant-driven accelerators that deliver lower velocities compared to gun-type disrupters. This velocity reduction prevents adiabatic heating of the projectile and surrounding explosives, eliminating the ignition risk while maintaining adequate penetration through optimized projectile geometry and material selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If liquid jet projectiles are used, then volumetric disruption is achieved, but penetration of hard targets and precision destruction of fuzing components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric disruptionVSAvoidprecision of component destruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The projectile features localized material property variations with a harder tip region for penetration and a softer body region for controlled deformation. This local quality differentiation enables precise destruction of fuzing components while maintaining reliability in penetrating hard targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If conventional disrupter projectiles are used, then explosive device disruption is achieved, but flight stability and accuracy over distance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosive device disruptionVSAvoidflight accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates dynamic stabilization features such as adjustable fins or vanes that can be deployed during flight to correct trajectory deviations. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains flight stability and accuracy over extended distances while preserving the projectile's disruptive effectiveness against explosive devices

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

The SPIKE penetrators achieve high accuracy, minimal fragmentation, and low shock impulse upon target interaction, enabling effective disruption of explosive devices without detonating the explosives, with improved flight stability and precision penetration through various steel case thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

Short Pulse Intense Kinetic Energy (SPIKE) penetrators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic Energy:

Implementation Method 2

An unwanted consequence of this approach is the tremendous pressures and shock waves that are produced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock waves: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentUS11274908B2Penetrator projectile for explosive device neutralization

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DEPT OF JUSTICE

AI summary

Provided herein are penetrator projectiles for use with explosive ordnance disposal disrupters, and related methods of making and using. The penetrator projectile has a tip, neck, shaft and base, wherein the geometry and composition of the different elements are selected to ensure the projectile is ballistically stable after firing to provide improved free-flight characteristics and corresponding explosive ordnance disruption.