Novel Penetrator Cases for Explosive and Fuze Survivability

ABSTRACT:As weapon velocities increase significantly in the coming years, driven by reduced response times and by the strength of materials in target structures, the already-significant shock loads on explosive payloads and fuze components will be greatly exacerbated. Given that the integrity of the payload and fuze components is critical to proper weapon functioning, it is imperative that solutions, that ensure this integrity, are developed concurrently with the anticipated increase in weapon velocities. Consequently, there is a need and opportunity to explore producible innovative, integrated case and payload structures that reduce movement of the explosive and fuze components during impact and penetration.BENEFIT:If this effort is successful, it could lead to a new, revolutionary class of penetrators. Our method would stabilize the payload by providing additional surface area between the warhead structure and the payload. In addition, the concept would reduce fuze failures due to internal movement, expand the ability for controlled fragmentation, and potentially allow for distributed fuzing that increases warhead effectiveness. There are many other potential military applications. For example, similar concepts could be used to control the fragmentation pattern for above ground targets. In addition, the modular flexibility enabled by our process may allow multiple energetic components within a single warhead, for which there are many potential applications.