Non-focusing active warhead

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:872058

Hornig, Howard C ^[1]

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1. Castro Valley, CA

A non-nuclear, non-focusing, active warhead that comprises a high explosive charge contained within a casing of reactive metal. When the high explosive is detonated, the reactive metal is dispersed and reacts with the air, which significantly increases the explosive yield of the warhead. The active warhead produces therefore much higher blast effects with significantly reduced weight compared to conventional munitions. The warhead is highly effective against such targets as aircraft which typically have thin fuselages, for example. The explosiveness of this warhead can be enhanced further by elevating the temperature and therefore the reactivity of the reactive metal before or during the explosion. New methods of enhancing the reactivity of the metal are also taught.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Secretary of Air (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5852256
• OSTI ID: 872058
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

non-focusing
active
warhead
non-nuclear
comprises
explosive
charge
contained
casing
reactive
metal
detonated
dispersed
reacts
air
significantly
increases
yield
produces
blast
effects
reduced
weight
compared
conventional
munitions
highly
effective
targets
aircraft
typically
fuselages
example
explosiveness
enhanced
elevating
temperature
reactivity
explosion
methods
enhancing
taught
significantly increases
significantly reduce
active metal
reactive metal
explosive charge
significantly reduced
highly effective
active warhead
significantly increase
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