This invention relates to a method for the manufacturing of the components of a warhead, as well as a projectile outfitted with a warhead, and a bomb equipped with a warhead.
The fact that the warheads are equipped with pre-formed fragments/shrapnel/projectiles has long been known by experts. By selecting the type of pre-formed projectiles used, the effect of the warhead can be tailored to the target. Depending on the type of target to be engaged, the number of pre-formed projectiles, the size of the pre-formed projectiles, the material of the pre-formed projectiles, and the shape of the pre-formed projectiles, can be determined. When the warhead breaks apart, the pre-formed projectiles and the pre-formed fragments, will disperse with a pre-determined size, velocity, and mass. It is also possible to influence the direction in which the pre-formed projectiles are dispersed by means of their positioning and arrangement.
Another way of producing projectiles of a predetermined size and mass according to experts, other than the arrangement of pre-formed projectiles, is to produce a controlled fragmentation of the warhead. This is usually achieved by arranging the weaknesses in the warhead, e.g. by machining grooves in the warhead material/shell, so that a division of the warhead occurs according to the location of said weaknesses upon fragmentation/detonation. The grooves can be added to the warhead by machining, as well as directly during manufacturing, for example by casting, additive manufacturing or other manufacturing methods.
It is also common to combine the arrangement of pre-formed projectiles with controlled fragmentation in a single warhead.
In order to arrange pre-formed projectiles, a rubber fixture is often used during part of the manufacturing process. The production of the rubber fixture itself is relatively costly and labor-intensive. Flexibility in developing a new product or adapting/modifying an existing product is also limited as new shapes and geometries require a new rubber molding tool which results in long lead times, development time, and therefore high costs. Similarly, it is often difficult and labor-intensive to achieve controlled fragmentation by milling grooves in the warhead material.
An example of a manufacturing method for a warhead with pre-formed projectiles is included in patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,504, which indicates a manufacturing method for warhead/projectiles as well as warhead/projectiles manufactured by positioning two tubular bodies coaxially around each other with a distance corresponding to the diameter of the constituent splinters/fragments/munitions arranged between the two tubular bodies. Internal pressure shapes the tubular bodies around the splinters/fragments/munitions as the device is arranged with external resistance.
An alternative example of a manufacturing method for a warhead with pre-formed projectiles is included in patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,335, which indicates a process for producing a composite material consisting of or comprising metal powder and fragments/pre-formed projectiles, jointly arranged against a metal structure. By subjecting the composite to isostatic compressive pressure, the metal powder is embedded in the surrounding metal.
A further example of an alternative method of manufacturing a warhead with pre-formed projectiles is included in patent specification US 2009/0211484 A1, which indicates components and methods for the manufacturing of a workpiece component comprising individual pre-formed fragments embedded in a reactive material or an inert material such as a polymer.
A common aspect to the above known techniques is the fact that the arrangement of the pre-formed projectiles is time consuming, technically difficult, costly and/or difficult to repeat with the same output. Furthermore, known technologies include manufacturing problems related to occupational health and safety issues.
It is desirable to provide a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective means of producing a warhead component, and thus a simpler, faster and more cost-effective means of producing a warhead, with pre-formed projectiles and/or a controlled fragmentation. Furthermore, the new method provides an improved working environment compared to known methods for manufacturing warhead components.
The invention relates, according to an aspect thereof, to a method of producing a warhead component comprised of an inner shell, wherein, the method comprises the following steps:
According to additional aspects of a method for regulating the attachment of a warhead component, the following applies;
The invention further includes, according to an aspect thereof, a warhead produced by means of the method described above.
The invention furthermore comprises, according to an aspect thereof, a projectile that contains a warhead.
The invention further includes, according to an aspect thereof, a bomb comprising a combat component.
By manufacturing warhead/projectile components and/or projectiles with a pre-formed projectile, according to the demonstrated method, a projectile can be manufactured faster, cheaper, easier and with less problems related to the working environment than previously known manufacturing methods.
The invention will be described below by reference to the figures that are included there:
The present invention indicates a number of embodiments relating to a manufacturing method for warheads/fuses as well as for projectiles and grenades,
The enclosing casing is shown in
During the manufacture of the first casing 10 and the second casing 20, the plastic is stretched to an expanded state into the shape that is suitable for arrangement on the inner shell 1. The plastic can be thermoformed, extruded or blown into the desired shape. In blow-molding, raw material in the form of a polymer tube, that is extruded for example, can be placed in a chamber that has the desired shape. When the polymer tube is arranged in the mold, the chamber is completely closed and gas flows into the polymer tube while it is heated. The gas fills the polymer tube, and may be fitted to a screw coupling that is arranged at one end of the polymer tube, and squeezes the polymer tube so that it settles according to the shape of the chamber. The mold can then be cooled and the product removed. In the event that a casing, such as the first casing 10 or the second casing 20, is to be manufactured, the casing may be manufactured in the form of a bottle which is then machined into the shape of a casing by removing the top and bottom. When the shape-blown, and thus stretched, first casing 10 and/or second casing 20 is subjected to heat, the first casing 10 and/or second casing 20 will strive to return to the shape of a polymer tube, in other words, the first casing 10 and/or second casing 20 will shrink. The covered components will return to their original shape if the temperature exceeds the glass transition temperature but is below the melting point for plastic.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
A fuse component includes the first casing and possibly an additional casing, such as a second casing, fixing the pre-formed projectiles to the inner shell. Once a fuse component has been manufactured, additional materials can be applied to produce a complete fuse/projectile, for example by applying an outer casing of steel or aluminum, or by applying metal powder to the fuse component by means of hot isostatic pressing, HIP. If HIP is used to apply material to the fuse component, the polymer in the first casing 10, and possibly the second casing 20, will be vaporized through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis, also known as dry distillation, is a process in which a substance is heated to a high temperature in an oxygen-free environment so that the substance breaks down without combustion. During pyrolysis, volatile substances are released in gaseous form, while a residue in solid or liquid form remains. The inner shell 1, possibly with a tool fitted to the inner shell, together with the pre-formed projectiles and the first casing 10, 10′ and possibly a second casing 20 are arranged together in a HIP-container. An HIP container is a device in which powder is arranged in a manner that allows it to be shaped into a HIPPAD-body under high temperature and high pressure. After the frame, along with the pre-formed projectiles and the first casing 10, 10′, and possibly a second casing 20, are arranged together in a HIP container, the powder is arranged in the HIP container. After the powder material is arranged in the HIP container, the HIP container is evacuated, vibrates, and is sealed to distribute the powder evenly in the HIP container. HIP is then carried out, i.e. a gas is used to create isostatic pressure in the HIP container by applying the gas to a connecting device fitted to the HIP container. Before the gas is applied to the HIP container, the HIP container can be vacuum-pumped or otherwise evacuated using air, or the filling gas/fluid arranged in the HIP container before evacuation. At the same time, the entire HIP container is heated. After the process, the composite body and HIP container are created and any excess material is processed away. After the body subjected to HIP has been machined, a tool may be removed from the frame. After the processing and removal of the frame is completed, the body can undergo heat treatment, which means that the now merged body is heated. After heat treatment, the material is suitable for machining, such as cutting. After the tool is removed, a hardening of the HIP subjected frame can take place.
Furthermore, to produce a complete projectile, the inner shell 1 may be filled with energetic material, and a fuse may be fitted to the nose of a fuse component, and a stern or rear part may be fitted to the fuse component in cases where a stern part has not been part of the inner shell 1.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically shown, but can be varied in different ways within the framework of the claims.
For instance, it is clear that the number of pre-formed projectiles, choice of material, choice of polymer and geometric shapes, the included elements and details, are to be adapted to it or to one or several weapons systems, platforms and other construction-related properties which are applicable in each individual case.
Furthermore, the invention encompasses all types of warheads, fuses, projectiles, including grenades, high-explosive shells, bombs, missiles and rockets. It also includes other forms of warheads such as hand grenades and different types of mines.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2100078-1 | May 2021 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/SE2022/050418 | 4/30/2022 | WO |