Tandem Charge Fragmentation Control for Reactive Armor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapons systems struggle to effectively penetrate through reactive armor and overcome active protection systems of heavily armored targets due to the interference of defense mechanisms deployed by these systems.
Innovation Solution
A tandem weapon system is designed with a precursor charge that precedes a main charge, where the precursor charge includes a projectile and fragmentation components, optimized for increased standoff, to neutralize the target's active protection system before the main charge engages the target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single charge is used to penetrate armor, then the structure is simple, but the weapon cannot effectively overcome reactive armor and active protection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system is divided into two separate charges: a precursor charge and a main charge. The precursor charge is designed specifically to neutralize reactive armor and active protection systems, while the main charge penetrates the target armor. This segmentation allows each charge to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability against modern armored targets.
2Reliability
If the precursor charge is positioned close to the main charge, then the device size is reduced, but the precursor charge cannot effectively neutralize defense mechanisms at standoff distances
Solution Approach 1:
The precursor charge is equipped with a projectile emission mechanism that launches fragments in a focused spray pattern along the flight path. This dimensional approach allows the precursor charge to extend its effective neutralization range beyond the immediate vicinity of the charge itself, enabling defense mechanism neutralization at increased standoff distances while maintaining a compact overall structure.
3Speed
If high explosive velocity is used to increase penetration, then the projectile speed is improved, but the fragmentation spray diverges and loses focus
Solution Approach 1:
The precursor charge uses a high detonation velocity explosive to generate both high-speed fragments and a focused spray pattern. By carefully controlling the explosive parameters and the geometry of the fragmentation agent, the system achieves a balance where fragments maintain both high velocity and a concentrated distribution pattern, ensuring effective neutralization of active protection systems at distance.
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 precursor charge effectively neutralizes the target's active protection system by emitting a focused fragmentation spray and armor-piercing projectile, allowing the main charge to penetrate the target's armor without interference, thereby enhancing the weapon's overall effectiveness against heavily armored targets.
Implementation Method 1
The precursor charge contains explosives arranged within the casing... upon detonation of the explosive... The radial velocity of the fragments is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity
Implementation Method 2
The explosive is particularly one with a high detonation velocity to achieve high projectile/fragmentation velocities
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A precursor charge (6) for a tandem weapon (2) with a main weapon (4) comprises a casing (12) containing explosive (14), a projectile element (28) for launching a leading armor-piercing projectile (30), and a fragmentation element (16) for forming and launching a leading focused sheaf (18) of multiple fragments (20), wherein the radial velocity (VR) of the fragments is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity (VA). A tandem weapon (2) comprises the precursor charge (6) and the main weapon (4).In a method for engaging a target (40), a tandem weapon (2) is fired towards the target (40), and at a specific time (t2) before impact with the target (40), its precursor charge (6) is initiated, whereby a projectile (30) and fragments (20) are each sent ahead of the main weapon (2) in the direction of flight (10) towards the target (40) as a focused sheaf (18), the sheaf (18) being focused by giving the fragments (20) a radial velocity (VR) of at most one fifth of their axial velocity (VA).