Tandem Munition Kinetic Barrier Breaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rocket-propelled munitions are bulky and heavy, making them difficult for infantry combatants to carry in large quantities, and they are not suitable for launch from grenade launchers due to size and weight limitations. Additionally, they often cause collateral damage in urban environments as the explosive charge detonates on the outer side of barriers.
Innovation Solution
A rocket-propelled munition with a rocket motor mounted at the front and a successive high-explosive charge mounted behind in a tandem configuration, where the rocket motor acts as a kinetic penetrator to clear a passage through the barrier for the high-explosive charge, which is adapted for slight delayed detonation after the rocket motor hits the barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a successive high-explosive charge is added to create a passage through the barrier, then the ability to hit targets behind barriers is improved, but the weight and bulk of the munition increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rocket motor and successive high-explosive charge into a single integrated munition unit, allowing the rocket motor to serve dual purposes as both propulsion and barrier-penetration mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate breaching charges and reduces overall munition complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocket motor is designed to perform multiple functions: propelling the munition toward the barrier, penetrating the barrier through kinetic impact, and subsequently detonating the high-explosive charge. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing weight and bulk.
2Ease of operation
If the munition is made compact for portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but the explosive charge cannot effectively breach barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery mechanism of the explosive charge by using a rocket-propelled system that accelerates the compact munition to high velocity. The kinetic energy from rocket propulsion compensates for the reduced charge size, enabling effective barrier penetration despite the compact form factor required for portability.
3Reliability
If the explosive charge detonates immediately upon hitting the barrier, then the barrier is breached, but collateral damage in urban environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rocket motor penetrates the barrier first, creating a passage through kinetic impact before the high-explosive charge detonates. This preliminary action directs the subsequent explosion through the created opening, ensuring the explosive energy is focused on the target behind the barrier rather than dispersing outward and causing collateral damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocket motor acts as an intermediary between the high-explosive charge and the barrier, first engaging the barrier to create a passage and then facilitating the directed detonation of the charge through the opening. This intermediary action controls the sequence of events to minimize harmful side effects.
4Reliability
If traditional rocket-propelled munition is used, then barrier penetration is achieved, but the munition is too bulky for grenade launcher deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The successive high-explosive charge is positioned within the munition structure in a nested arrangement behind the rocket motor, allowing compact packaging that fits within grenade launcher constraints. The components are integrated in a space-efficient configuration that maintains barrier penetration capability while reducing overall volume.
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 allows for a lightweight and compact munition that can be carried in large quantities and launched from grenade launchers, effectively hitting targets behind barriers while minimizing collateral damage by avoiding outer detonation.
Implementation Method 1
Detonating low-explosive charge 45 propels munition 10 out of the launcher
Implementation Method 2
detonates shaped explosive charge 25, while ensuring a stand-off from the barrier, in a way that any skilled person understands will create the Munroe effect for clearing a passage through the barrier
Implementation Method 3
rocket motor 35, while deploying fins 40, accelerates the munition in the intended course towards the barrier
Implementation Method 4
successive payload (e.g., high-explosive charge) that is mounted behind the rocket motor in a tandem configuration and is towed by it, and the successive payload is adapted for a slight delayed activation (e.g., detonation) following and just after said rocket motor hits the barrier
Data Source
AI summary
Flown munition that is rocket-propelled for hitting a target behind a barrier, and which comprises a rocket motor; and a successive payload that is mounted behind the rocket motor in a tandem configuration and is towed by it; and wherein the rocket motor is used for accelerating the munition towards the barrier and also serves as a sort of kinetic penetrator to clear a passage through the barrier for the successive pay load, which is connected to it and towed by it, and the successive payload (e.g.—a high-explosive charge) is adapted for delayed detonation following and just after said rocket motor hits the barrier.