Ammunition and explosives – Shells – Focused or directed detonation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-17
2001-10-30
Tudor, Harold J. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Shells
Focused or directed detonation
C102S307000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308634
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the field of ballistics, and it particularly relates to explosively formed projectiles (EFP). More specifically, this invention relates to a precursor-follow through kinetic energy explosively formed penetrator, to achieve greater penetration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The concept of using explosive energy to deform a metal plate into a coherent penetrator while simultaneously accelerating it to extremely high velocities offers a unique method of employing a kinetic energy penetrator without the use of a large gun. A typical explosively formed projectile (EFP) is comprised of a metallic liner, a case, an explosive section, and an initiation train. Very often there is also a retaining ring to position and hold the liner-explosive subassembly in place. EFP warheads are normally designed to produce a single massive, high velocity penetrator. After detonation, the explosive products create enormous pressures that accelerate the liner while simultaneously reshaping it into a rod or some other desired shape. The EFP then hits the target at a high speed, delivering a significantly high mechanical power.
Two major applications have evolved for explosively formed projectiles or warheads, namely, long-standoff sensor-fuzed submunitions and medium-standoff, close-overflight missiles. The former application, which is the more traditional one, requires the formation of a single-piece EFP capable of flying in a stable fashion to the target. This refinement has led to the flared EFP rod and, more recently, to the finned EFP rod designs.
For the medium or short-standoff applications, a new type of EFP was developed. The need for an aerodynamic shape is not necessary for these applications because of the short distance the EFP must travel, hence, the length of the rod was increased and the flared tail was eliminated from the design. In fact, some of these rods are purposely stretched beyond their breaking point and fracture into several pieces resulting in greater total length.
An EFP warhead configuration may be comprised of a steel case, a high-explosive charge, and a metallic liner. Explosively formed penetrator (EFP) warheads have been designed to project a single massive high velocity penetrator to attack the top of armored vehicles. Such armor perforation capability needs further improvement to counter new generations of harder armored vehicles, without resorting to a larger caliber weapon system. In developing a warhead configuration that meets system constraints and also meets performance requirements, several parameters in the warhead configuration must be redesigned to achieve an optimum configuration. Several warhead configurations have been developed to accommodate varying system constraints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to satisfactorily address the foregoing need and to form a new a precursor-follow through kinetic energy explosively formed penetrator (EFP) assembly, for greatly enhancing penetration.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention are realized by forming the EFP assembly into two sections: an initial precursor penetrator followed by a penetrator encapsulating a reactive material. This will greatly enhance the lethality of the warhead against certain targets, and particularly targets consisting of multi layers or multi compartments. These targets will initially be perforated by the precursor penetrator with the second follow through penetrator containing a reactive material causing internal damage through a secondary reaction. Potential targets include tanks, light armored vehicles, ships, submarines, ballistic missiles, aircraft and bunkers.
The EFP warhead or assembly of the present invention is comprised of the following major components: a copper liner, a reactive material, an explosive billet or charge, a backplate, an aluminum housing, and a detonator assembly for initiating the explosive billet. When the explosive billet is initiated by the detonator assembly, it causes the liner to be accelerated forward with the outer edges folding forward to form or mold the reactive material in a desired aerodynamic shape. The forward folding penetrator then separates into two sections, a precursor and a follow through penetrator. The precursor impacts and penetrates the target with the follow through penetrator containing a reactive material entering the target and causing a secondary reaction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2796833 (1957-06-01), Sweetman
patent: 4841864 (1989-06-01), Grace
patent: 5033387 (1991-07-01), Lips
patent: 5155297 (1992-10-01), Lindstadt et al.
patent: 5753850 (1998-05-01), Chawla et al.
patent: 5792980 (1998-08-01), Weimann
Moran John F.
Sachs Michael C.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Tudor Harold J.
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