Warhead Fragmentation with Spherical and Non-Spherical Pre-Shaped Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing warhead designs are limited in their ability to effectively target both soft and hard targets with a single type of pre-shaped fragments, and their manufacturing processes are complex and costly, often requiring specific shapes and materials that diminish the fragmentation effect.

Innovation Solution

A warhead design featuring a tubular structure with a combination of spherical and non-spherical pre-shaped fracture elements, arranged in a cohesive structure with varying thickness and embedded in polymer and/or reactive metal foam matrices, allowing for dual-action fragmentation and simplified manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single type of pre-shaped fragments (metal balls) is used in the fragmentation casing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the warhead can only effectively target soft targets and cannot penetrate hard targets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidtarget type coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fragmentation casing is divided into multiple layers, each containing different types of pre-shaped fragments. The first layer contains spherical metal fragments for soft targets, while the second layer contains non-spherical metal fragments for hard targets. This segmentation allows the warhead to effectively engage both soft and hard targets simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fragmentation casing are assigned different fragment types based on local requirements. The spherical fragments are positioned in the first layer for engagement with soft targets, while non-spherical fragments are positioned in the second layer for hard target penetration, optimizing the effectiveness for each specific target type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If pre-shaped fragments are embedded in a cylindrical housing that does not form the outer surface, then the fragments are protected during transport, but the fragmentation effect is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragment protection during transportVSAvoidfragmentation effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of embedding fragments in a cylindrical housing that does not form the outer surface, the invention inverts the approach by making the fragmentation casing itself form the outer surface of the warhead. The pre-shaped fragments are arranged in layers that constitute the external surface, ensuring both protection during transport and maximum fragmentation effect upon detonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If heat and pressure sintering is used to form the splinter mantel, then the metal balls are stably fixed, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragment fixation stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the complex heat and pressure sintering process from the manufacturing method. Instead of using sintering to fix the metal balls, the patent uses a simpler arrangement where pre-shaped fragments are positioned in layers within the fragmentation casing, eliminating the need for thermal and mechanical processing while maintaining stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If only spherical metal fragments are used, then the warhead is effective against soft targets, but it lacks the capability to penetrate hard targets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness against soft targetsVSAvoidcapability against hard targets

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces asymmetry in fragment geometry by using both spherical fragments (for soft targets) and non-spherical fragments (for hard targets) in different layers. The non-spherical fragments have shapes optimized for penetrating hard targets, creating an asymmetric distribution of fragment types that expands the warhead's target engagement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enables efficient fragmentation against both soft and hard targets with controlled fragment form and energy distribution, optimizing lethality while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

embedded in polymer and/or reactive metal foam matrices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer matrix embedding:

Implementation Method 2

embedded in polymer and/or reactive metal foam matrices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReactive metal foam: Metal Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3403047B1warhead

Publication Date: 2022.06.22 SAAB BOFORS DYNAMICS SWITZERLAND

Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~4

AI summary

Warhead (1) comprising a tubular structure with a front region (2), a rear region (3), an outer wall portion (4), an inner wall portion (5) and a central cavity (6), whereby the outer wall portion (4) comprises a multitude of pre-shaped first fracture elements (7) having a non-spherical shape and a multitude of non-cohesive pre-shaped second fracture elements (9) having a spheroidal shape.