Warhead Size Determination
Abstract
A hypothesis is suggested for guidance in weapon design, that the best warhead size for the attack of a specified target is the threshold size required for a direct hit to produce a kill. It is based upon the fact that this threshold size is one or more orders smaller than that required to cater for near-misses and that this economy in warhead size can be exploited to increase the chance of getting a direct hit, either by increasing delivery accuracy or by deploying more weapons, thereby leading to greater weapon effectiveness. Multi-weapon deployment modes are discussed, leading in particular to the further principle that for weapons which have to be delivered in one attack opportunity, e.g. unguided air-to-surface weapons, the most efficient attack is with a spaced salvo of threshold weapons. It is not claimed that the hypothesis is universally true. Whether it leads to a more effective weapon in any specific case will always require evaluation. Furthermore, it may be more applicable to air-to-surface weapons, mainly referred to as examples in this paper, than to other weapon types, such as anti-aircraft weapons, for which the warhead is a less dominant component.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0398980
Entities
People
- F. Bisby
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment