Penetrating, Dual-Mode Warhead
Abstract
A penetrating, dual mode warhead having soft target, surface burst mode and a hard target, penetrating mode is provided. The warhead has a cylindrical outer fragmenting shell which contains an explosive surround. A long rod penetrator with an explosive payload is located within the outer fragmenting shell. By arming selection prior to launch, the warhead can be configured for the surface burst mode which uses proximity sensor to initiate the outer shell explosive. The outer shell initiates the penetrator payload thereby detonating both explosives and fragmenting both the shell and penetrator casing. In the penetrating mode, the outer shell is stripped away on impact but is initiated just as the penetrator exits the shell. By this method the penetrator remains undamaged, but the outer shell nevertheless detonates to engage any surface targets. The penetrator continues into the hardened target, detonating on either a void sensor or on timing, whichever occurs first.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 14, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADD019151
Entities
People
- Leonard T. Wilson
- Lucia D. Kuhns
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy