Requirements Comparison Hit-To-Kill vs Warhead for TMD,
Abstract
There has been recent interest in usage of conventional blast fragmentation warheads in a TMD role. This interest implies a perception that this approach would be easier to accomplish than Hit-To-Kill (HTK), and would yield comparable lethality. The first part of this perception is true at low closing velocity but at high closing velocity it may not be true due to extreme difficulty in performing the target detection function in sufficient time to support warhead fragment flight time requirements. The second part can never be true; regardless of engagement situation, warheads lack the lethality potential of direct hit, for interceptor sizes which deserve comparison. Attempts to achieve very high lethality with narrowly focused warheads result in even more stringent target detection requirements, requiring data and estimation accuracy approaching that of HTK. The requirements and considerations of warhead usage will be illustrated with simple geometric sketches and explained in this paper, in terms of required data, data accuracy, and required timeline. The great disparity in potential lethality will also be explained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370613
Entities
People
- Ali Sleiman
- J. L. Harris