Stepped Kinetic Penetrator Mass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current kinetic energy penetrators are either too massive and expensive for modest concrete targets, or when made lighter, they lose effectiveness due to reduced mass and speed, and struggle to generate sufficient splinters efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A kinetic energy penetrator with a stepped cylindrical body design, featuring a front part with a progressively increasing thickness, a rear part of greater diameter, and a conical transition zone, optimized for both penetration and explosive payload to generate high-speed splinters, using materials like steel or tungsten alloys for enhanced mechanical strength and fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the penetrator mass is reduced to less than 10 kilograms for lighter guided munitions, then the suitability for modest concrete targets is improved, but the effectiveness in terms of penetration capacity and speed is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrator applies local quality by concentrating material properties where needed: the front part uses high-density tungsten alloy for penetration, while the rear part uses steel for structural support and explosive containment. This localized differentiation allows the penetrator to achieve effective penetration with reduced overall mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrator employs composite materials by combining tungsten alloy (high density, excellent penetration properties) with steel (structural strength, cost-effectiveness). This composite construction optimizes the mass-to-penetration ratio, allowing lighter overall mass while maintaining penetration effectiveness.
2Weight of moving object
If the penetrator diameter is reduced to reduce mass, then the suitability for lighter munitions is improved, but the effectiveness in generating splinters is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrator resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a uniform cylindrical geometry to a stepped geometry with two distinct diameters. The rear part has a larger diameter that accommodates a greater volume of explosive, enabling effective splinter generation despite the overall reduced mass and compact size of the penetrator.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrator applies parameter changes by varying the diameter along its length rather than maintaining a constant diameter. This geometric parameter variation allows optimization of both mass (smaller front diameter) and explosive capacity (larger rear diameter) simultaneously.
3Quantity of substance
If a larger mass of explosive is placed in the penetrator to generate effective splinters, then the lethal radius is improved, but the mass available for the perforating body is reduced, worsening penetration effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrator applies segmentation by dividing its structure into distinct functional zones: a front penetration section and a rear explosive section. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the inclusion of sufficient explosive mass without compromising the perforating body's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrator resolves this mass allocation contradiction by using a stepped geometry that adds volume in the radial dimension at the rear rather than increasing overall length. This allows greater explosive mass to be accommodated in the rear part without proportionally increasing the penetrator's total mass or compromising the front penetration section.
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 effective penetration and splinter generation with a reduced length and mass, maintaining perforation capacity while increasing the mass of explosive, resulting in improved performance and efficiency for lighter guided munitions.
Implementation Method 1
kinetic energy penetrator
Implementation Method 2
the ogive 5 is designed so as to ensure the initiation of the explosive charge 3 only with a certain delay after the impact on a target
Implementation Method 3
an explosive charge 3 which can be initiated by a priming means 4
Implementation Method 4
the architecture according to the invention thus makes it possible to obtain an indenter of reduced length but ensuring a good compromise between: a good perforation capacity... and a good capacity for generating splinters
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The penetrator (1) has a penetration body (2) containing an explosive charge (3) initiated by a priming unit i.e. rocket engine (4). The body has a cylindrical front part (2.1) extended by a warhead (5), and a cylindrical rear part (2.2) whose outer diameter (D2.2) is larger than outer diameter (D2.1) of the front part. The rear part is connected to the front part by a conical transition zone (2.3). The body has an inner cavity (2a) extended along the parts. The body has a wall that possesses same thickness (E) along the parts and the transition zone.