Injecting Reactive Materials into Targets in Conjunction with Shaped Charge Warheads

"Shaped charge warheads using reactive-metal liners have potential for increased lethality. Reactive-metal liners are limited by low ductility, material incompatibilities, and poor penetration. Current designs for explosively formed projectiles (EFPs)lack significant capability for behind armor effects. Tech Energetics, Inc. (TEI) will develop metallurgically bonded, multi-layered shaped charge and EFP liners. The collapse of shaped charge liners will produce jets of reactive metals, jacketed by highpenetrating jets; alternative designs will use a penetrating jet followed by a reactive material injection. Enhanced penetration EFPs will be designed with shear surfaces of reactive material, self-sharpening analogous to depleted uranium penetrators willbe possible. Heat from shearing will initiate behind armor effects. The Phase I effort will develop a list of candidates for the reactive constituent of the proposed liners. Concept designs for the liners will be developed together with manufacturingmethods. A prototype liner coupon and results of mechanical testing will be delivered. Feasibility of integration will be investigated; economic and performance benefits will be identified. The principal investigator previously developed techniques forexplosively cladding gun barrels and utilized this technology in designs for lightweight mortar tubes. TEI has the resources for conducting the proposed development effort. The DoD wil