Pre-fragmented Warhead Plate for EX 171 ERGM

Navy Combat Ships and commercial vessels have experienced major damage and loss of life due to attacks from terrorists using small boats laden with explosives. The attack on the USS Cole caused a loss of over 17 lives and damage to the ship that totaledmore than $200 million. Effective weapons against these threats that can be fired from NSFS, MK 45, 5-inch systems are needed.Current gun projectiles are inefficient as warheads because they break into random fragments that are large and irregular in size upon detonation. In this project, a high strength composite warhead plate will be developed to provide the required strengthnecessary to survive gun launch, yet be pre-fragmented so that the fragment size, shape and pattern can be optimized for maximum lethal effect when used against land based and fast moving sea targets.Results carried out prior to Phase I will be used to determine material conceptual designs for a pre-fragmented plate that is strong enough to survive gun launch. Projectile warhead plate component prototypes will be built along with test articles forlaboratory evaluation. A plan for Phase II will be prepared that will include the testing of prototype projectiles. Benefits of the proposed approach will include lower warhead costs, reduction of explosive hazards during submunitions loading andoff-loading, and the improvement of projectile handling throughout life cycle. These new warheads will allow surface combatants to play an expanded role in NSFS - guarding harbors - and will provide increased ship self protection in-transit and duringre-fueling stops in areas where terrorists cells may be operating. A low cost, high fragmentation warhead is also needed to attack soft targets, i.e. enemy personnel, trucks, and unarmored vehicles/equipment.