Heavy Metal Hard Target Penetrator

The V.S. Air Force has a continuing need to develop improved penetrating bombs for the defeat of hardened command and communication bunkers. These reinforced concrete bunkers are quite often constructed below ground level and are formidable structures to defeat. Nuclear Metals, Inc. proposes a four month effort to design a depleted uranium (DU) version of the BLU-IO9/B, 2000 pound bomb. Hydrocode analyses of concrete penetration and the response of the explosive filled bomb case to penetration forces will be conducted. Iterative design and trade-off analyses are proposed beginning with the evaluation of two DU alloys: DU-.75% Ti and DU-2% Mo. Working within the current maximum weight of the BLU-IO9/B case, 1321 pounds, NMI will examine reduced diameter and increased length/diameter ratios for the bomb case. These designs will provide an increase in the depth of penetration while avoiding excessive internal pressures that would otherwise cause premature bomb detonation. An optimum design will be provided at the conclusion of Phase I along with a final technical report detailing major technical findings from the analyses. The preliminary bomb design will be suitable for fabrication of inert prototypes for test and Ovaluation in Phase II.