Combined rocket motor warhead
US4459915A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B12/22
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solid fuel rocket in which the rocket casing acts as a warhead. Solid propellant rocket motors require relatively heavy cases to contain the 1000-2000 psi combustion pressure needed for efficient performance. This casing can be used as a fragmentation warhead by forming longitudinal grooves in the elongated rocket casing, causing the casing to fracture along the grooves and allowing the pressure within the casing to disperse the fragments. The resulting strip-like fragments are particularly useful against "soft" equipment targets, such as anti-vehicle and anti-radar applications. Several different methods for rupturing the case along spaced, parallel longitudinal lines are disclosed. This system eliminates the need for a separate warhead including case and explosive at the cost of a slight increase in propellant case thickness and weight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.