Rod warhead

[57] ABSTRACT

A continuous rod warhead whose rods are rectangular in cross-section and are disposed in a bundle edge-on towards the target. Edge-on attitude is maintained throughout the rods’ flight path by means of stitch welds between the rods near the hinges.

Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

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/3

PATENTED oct 1 o 197?

3,696.751

FIG. 2

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AGENT

3,696,751

ROD WARHEAD

BACKGROUND OF THE IN VENTION

This invention relates generally to an explosive warhead of the rod type and, more particularly, to a new and improved rod warhead which employs a plurality of rods uniquely joined together to form a substantially continuous loop or ring.

In order to increase the effectiveness of anti-aircraft artillary missiles containing fragmentation warheads against large and strong aircraft, warheads comprising an explosive charge and a plurality of rods were developed, the rods being end connected together and expandable at high velocity by the detonation of the explosive charge. A substantially continuous loop or ring thereby resulted for projection into a target to increase the probability of kill of the same. These warheads of the continuous rod type consist, before firing, of a grouping or bundle of rods slightly shorter than the length of the warhead, hinged together at their ends and packaged into a double or single layer. Since successive rods are joined at alternate ends, an outward push on the rod package by the explosive charge after firing causes the rod package to expand in diameter and the rod to bend near their hinged ends. The object is to cause the rod bundle during the period of its expansion to strike the target aircraft and produce damage by cutting action. Heretofore, many of the continuous rod warheads employ square cross-sectioned rods which are effective in destroying a target. Since a change of rod attitude between firing and target contact produces no changed effect on the kill performance of the rods, these square cross-sectional rods are incapable of effectively destroying heavy airframe targets unless the dimension is increased. Increase in cross-sectional dimension of the square rod, however, increases warhead weight because rod length would need to be accordingly increased if the same looped dimension of the open bundle is to be maintained. The present invention improves upon the prior art continuous rod warheads by providing rods which are rectangular in cross-section and, when assembled as a bundle, are oriented edge-on toward the target. Edge-on attitude is also designed to be maintained throughout the rod’s flight path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Essentially, the present invention comprises a warhead having a plurality of rods disposed about an explosive charge, the rods being connected together or joined at their end portion in a manner such that the detonation of the explosive charge expands the connected rods at high velocity into a substantially continuous loop or ring for projection into a target for the purpose of effecting a kill or destruction of the target. Increased capability of destroying heavy airframe targets is achieved by designing the rods as rectangular in cross-section and assembling them as a bundle, edge-on towards the target. The edge-on attitude of each rod is maintained by means of stitch welds between rods near their connected or hinged ends.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a warhead comprising an explosive charge and a plurality of uniquely designed rods, the rods being end-connected together and expandable at high velocity, by the detonation of the explosive charge, into a substantially continuous loop or ring for projection into a target, to increase the probability of kill of the same.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a connected rod type warhead wherein the rods are designed so as to increase their capability of destroying heavy targets in a manner not heretofore devised.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a warhead of the continuous rod type wherein each rod is designed to fly in an edge-on attitude towards the target for increased kill per pound of rod.

A still further object of the subject invention is to provide a continuous rod warhead wherein edge-on attitude of the warhead rods is assured throughout the rods flight path.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a rod warhead in which the rods are designed so as to greatly increase kill probability of the warhead against heavy targets without an increase in weight or overall dimension of the rod bundle.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing partly broken away of the continuous rod warhead according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detailed view of the rod arrangement of the warhead of FIG. 1, with the rod arrangement being shown partially expanded;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fully expanded connected rod assembly after firing; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the effect of the FIG. 3 fully expanded connected rod warhead on a target aircraft, following the explosion of a missile carrying the warhead, in the vicinity of the target.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an embodiment of the invention designated generally by reference numeral 10, and comprising a plurality of rods 12 arranged as a bundle about an explosive charge 11. The rods 12 are of the single layer, folded type in accordance with other prior art arrangements. The warhead is shown without either its spaced apart annular end plates secured to the rod structure, or its tubular stress skin member, normally required for incorporation of the warhead into a missile. The rod structure 12 is tubularly arranged, hinged together as shown or by welds, the rods being of steel or other suitable material. As is evident from FIG. 1, the rods 12 are rectangular in cross-section, the longer dimension being measured along a radial line from the longitudinal axis of warhead 10. The rectangular design of the rods produces a significantly higher cutting capability for the warhead if target contact is made edge-on. This edge-on attitude produces a greater damage in cutting of the target than any other attitude since the total cutting is more directly related to the depth of the rod, depth being measured along the rod’s flight path.

3,6' 3

The rectangular cross-sectional design, in comparison to the square cross-sectional design, permits increased kill of the warhead per pound of rod for edge on attitude. Where the rectangular rod width is onehalf the square rod cross-sectional dimension for equal rod length, twice as many rectangular cross-sectional rods are permitted to be incorporated into the missile without loss of cutting capability for a desired rod depth. Accordingly, length of the rod warhead bundle could be reduced by one-half, as compared to the square cross-sectional rod bundle, with no reduction in kill capability against a similar target. Since, as heretofore pointed out, the total cutting capability is directly related to rod depth, reduction of rod length by onehalf, obviously further reduces warhead weight and volume by the same amount. Redesign of the rod from square to rectangular in cross-section, however, presents a new problem for the warhead, upon firing. It has been discovered that rectangular rods will normally fly broadside in the air, owing to air drag stabilization. An external force must therefore, be provided in the system to compel the rods to pull themselves into an edge-on attitude. Stitch welds 13, shown in FIG. 1, generate this force, as the rods tear open upon firing. The welds 13 near the rod hinges, maintain the rod 25 bundle in an edge-on attitude during the flight of the continuous rod. In operation, upon initiation of a detonator, not shown, by the functioning of an influence fuse mechanism, or the like, also not shown, the charge 11 is exploded, whereupon the forces 30 created by this explosion will cause a release of the rod assembly from inbetween its end plates or rings. The forces of the exploding charge will cause the rod element 12 to unfold in the manner shown in FIG. 2, into a continuous ring, which functions as a projectile. Firing 35 of the warhead made according to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, may result in separation of some of the rod elements forming the circle of rods. However, such separation will rarely cause all of the rod elements to separate from each other. Two or more connected rods 40 constitute a lethal missile when striking a target. The presence of stitch welds 13 near the rod hinges causes the opening bundle of rods to always pull tightly during its opening action, thereby causing the rectangular rod section to fly edge-on to the target. FIG. 3 shows a rod 45 assembly 22 in its fully expanded condition of edge-on attitude as it approaches the target. The lethality of the warhead may be better appreciated by reference to FIG. 4 wherein the missile 23, carrying the warhead 10, according to the invention, is detonated in the vicinity of a target aircraft, and the loop or ring 22 strikes the target aircraft and inflicts damage upon structural components thereof, as designated by reference numeral 21, with great target kill probability. It should be understood, of course, that in the operation of the warhead according to this invention, the missile carrying warhead will be provided with appropriate propulsion means and influence devices to propel the missile to the )6,751 vicinity of the target and detonate the warhead there.

From the foregoing, it becomes evident that a continuous rod warhead of increased kill capability has been designed which will produce greater damage in 5 airframe targets. The design is directed toward reduction of the rod weight per foot of length without reducing the rod’s depth, as measured along the flight path of the rod, whereby the. damage capability of similar heavier rods having similar roadepth is maintained, but 1₀ with use of a significantly lighter and smaller connected rod bundle. A manner of generating an external force in the system has also been devised wherein stitch welds between rods near their hinges, act to force the rods to pull themselves into an edge-on attitude as they 15 tear open upon firing.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be ₂₀ practiced otherwise than as specifically described.