Boosted Penetrator Technology

ABSTRACT: FSTI proposes a 6 month research and development study to assess the feasibility of near-term application of Distributed Penetrator Case Venting techniques for control of Burn-to-Violent Reactions (BVR) in Insensitive Munitions (IM) threat hazard environments for Hard Target Rocket Boosted Penetrator weapons. The key technical issue is definition of the response of candidate main charge explosives (like AFX-757 and PBXN-109) to high pressure extrusion of the main charge explosive through these vents. These extrusion effects will occur during the intense deceleration environments experienced by high speed penetrators as they fly through very hard, high strength targets. We will assess the status of analytical and experimental methods applicable to this problem, recommend potential solutions, and apply these methods to develop preliminary designs for experimental procedures which can be applied to resolve this problem. We will also address the closely related issues associated with prediction of the total quantity of explosive which can be lost during this transient penetration loading process to assess the potential impact on warhead fuzing reliability issues. Finally, we will provide an assessment of the potential case wall thickness and weight penalties associated with application of distributed IM venting for hard target penetrators BENEFIT: Buildings and other structures that are built on very hard surfaces depend on oil well drilling techniques to make holes in the hard surface. This is a time consuming and expensive process. The boosted penetrator would allow for penetration into the hard surface to be accomplished in the fraction of the time required for conventional drilling. Installation of anchors into these same surfaces is difficult and expensive. Again, the utilization of hard target penetrator techniques may offer a faster and less expensive way to anchor structures to very hard surface. The use of distributed venting techniques for burn-to-violent reaction control in these devices would greatly improve the safety of handling and storage for these devices during their life cycle including exposure to industrial, transportation, and storage accidents.