Missile warhead design
US5939662A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B39/20
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hard-target penetrating warhead (10) adapted for use with length constrained warhead payload bays. The warhead (10) includes a warhead case (12) for containing warhead explosives (22, 27). A tungsten ballast (16) is disposed within the case (12) for providing a high warhead sectional pressure upon impact of the warhead (10) on a target. A fuse (19) detonates the warhead explosives (22, 27) upon penetration of the target. The fuse (19) is housed by a fuse well (18) that is attached to the case (12) at one end. A slip fit section of the fuse well (18) provides structural support to the case (12) and prevents dislodging of the fuse well (18) and the fuse (19) from the case (12) upon warhead target impact. Explosives blowout ports (24) included in the fuse well (18) inhibit undesirable explosion or detonation of the warhead explosives (22, 27) by accidental exposure to high heat or fire. In a specific embodiment, the case (12) has a 6 caliber radius head nose (14). The explosives blowout ports (24) include main explosives blowout ports (24) for allowing the heat to burn the warhead explosives (22) and vent gases resulting from the burning. The main explosive blowout ports (24, 25) ar…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.