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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Selectable fragmentation warhead

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7368839

A selectable fragmentation warhead is described comprising: a case having proximal and distal ends; a fragmenting plate mounted in said distal end of said casing; first explosive means cast adjacent to said fragmenting plate for creating a predetermined number of fragments from said fragmenting plate; three or more first laser-driven slapper detonators located adjacent to said first explosive means for detonating said first explosive means in a predetermined pattern; smoother-disk means located adjacent to said first means for accelerating said fragments; second explosive means cast adjacent to said smoother-disk means for further accelerating said fragments; at least one laser-driven slapper detonators located in said second explosive means; a laser located in said proximal end of said casing; optical fibers connecting said laser to said first and second laser-driven slapper detonators; and optical switch means located in series with said optical fibers connected to said plurality of first laser-driven slapper detonators for blocking or passing light from said laser to said plurality of first laser-driven slapper detonators.

Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5229542
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-858744
OSTI ID:
7368839
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English