Non-focusing active warhead

Patent · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1997

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
• 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

/102/
active
active metal
active warhead
air
aircraft
blast
casing
charge
compared
comprises
contained
conventional
detonated
dispersed
effective
effects
elevating
enhanced
enhancing
example
explosion
explosive
explosive charge
explosiveness
fuselages
highly
highly effective
increases
metal
methods
munitions
non-focusing
non-nuclear
produces
reactive
reactive metal
reactivity
reacts
reduced
significantly
significantly increase
significantly increases
significantly reduce
significantly reduced
targets
taught
temperature
typically
warhead
weight
yield