The present invention relates to a device for a launchable ammunition unit such as a missile or artillery shell. The fuselage or casing of the device comprises at least one explosive charge, and inside or on the fuselage or casing there are warhead effect modules that implement or are a constituent part of the warhead function when the explosive charge is actuated.
The use of ammunition units, such as missiles and artillery shells, for different types of warhead effects—operating with fragmentation, pellets, shaped charge effect and blast generating or fragmentation inhibiting agents, for example—is already known. Reference can thereby be made to a large number of patents and patent applications in this particular field. Missiles, shells or equivalent can thus comprise an explosive charge or charges and different warhead effect jackets and warhead devices which, when the explosive is detonated, produce fragmentation, incendiary agents, shaped charge effect, etc, which are actuated against the actual target when the explosive charge is triggered. Each missile or equivalent is equipped with and/or interacts with a target seeker and guidance system of various types during the actual engagement.
In the context of new weapon systems and types of ammunition there is a distinct need to be able to reduce the multiplicity of types of weapons. Consequently, there exists a desire that the reductions shall be possible without the techniques and handling around the weapon system becoming more complex. It is vital that the launch and engagement functions can remain optimised for the type of target in question, and that rapid, precise functions can be maintained in conjunction with actual target engagements and scenarios despite the said reductions. It is also important that a high level of service can be maintained, and that all requirements can be met within the financial constraints stipulated. It is also vital that the requirement for a high degree of safety be maintained.
The main objective of the present invention is to resolve these problems completely or partially.
The present invention exploits, among other things, the insight that efforts shall be focused on the most critical components—from a technical aspect—in current systems and that inroads and modifications, for example, shall not be necessary in complex units such as target seekers, guidance systems, etc.
As claimed in the present invention a significant reduction in the assortment of types of ammunition and warhead devices shall be enabled by using a modular approach to warhead function devices that basically represents a well proven and technically feasible technique which—from a cost aspect, for example—represents a relatively small value (e.g. 1–5%) of the total cost of the system (missile) as such.
The most characteristic features of the device as claimed in the present invention are, among other things, that the warheads have a modular design and that the various warhead modules are secured by securing devices or parts in or attached to the fuselage or casing. Other characteristics are that the device incorporates a range of warhead effect modules pertaining to different types of warhead and that the ammunition unit in question, when engaging a specific type of target or engagement situation, is comprised of a modular array selected from the range of warhead effect modules matched to different types of targets or engagement situations and secured to the fuselage or casing by securing devices or retention parts.
In design variants of the invention concept the ammunition unit can comprise warhead effect jackets arranged on the outside of the fuselage or casing, and consisting of a module array selected from the range of modules. The said design variants utilise modules with large pellets, small pellets, pre-fragmentation, incendiary elements, carbon fibre elements, fragmentation inhibiting and blast generating agents, etc. The range of modules also includes modules comprising shaped charges. Modules comprising agents that inhibit warhead effect in a specific direction are also included.
In another design variant one or more types of module can comprise explosive charge modules that are actuatable via an initiation function when one or more separation charges in the ammunition unit are initiated or actuated. In a preferred design variant the warhead device comprises a package unit in which the ammunition unit, such as a missile or shell, with associated explosive and/or separation charge(s) as well as a number of warhead effect modules are packed. The components incorporated in the package unit enable the configuration of an ammunition unit that is optimised for each specific type of target or engagement situation.
The above proposals enable major financial benefits by virtue of the fact that the number of different ammunition units or missiles or shells can be reduced. This reduction can be achieved without any degradation of safety aspects or effectiveness during an engagement. Another advantage with the proposed system or device is that a high degree of optimisation of the ammunition unit for the type of target or equivalent can be performed on site. Assembly of the various ammunition units on site requires no special knowledge, and use of the new types of ammunition can be realised by conventional training and learning.
Some of the currently proposed design variants for various devices displaying characteristics that are significant for the present invention are described below with reference to the appended
Depending on the type of target or engagement situation, missile 10 or equivalent can be equipped with a warhead effect jacket or warhead effect modules as described above. Modules 5–8 in
The casing can also be fitted with panels 27, 28 that are removable and can be replaced by specific warhead effect modules as per the above. The casing 26 is also equipped with a fixed, shaped charge liner 29 that leaves an unobstructed cavity 29′ facing forwards in the intended direction of warhead effect. An effect enhancing liner 30 can be applied in this cavity. Such an effect enhancing liner can, for example, be added to provide an otherwise conventional shaped charge liner with a behind armour effect function that is considered to offset the reduced penetration in the target that such an increase in the original thickness of a liner inevitably causes. Panels 27, 28 or alternatively applied modules (cf. 17–25 as per the above) are locked on the outside of the casing by the end-mounted securing devices 31 and 32 when they have been installed in their designated locations, and by additional securing devices 101 applied along the edges of the modules that are not in direct contact with securing devices 31 or 32.
In
a–7c show partial sections through a part of the shell after various warhead effect modules have been installed.
The present invention is not limited to the design examples described above, but can be subjected to modifications within the framework of the subsequent Patent claims and the invention concept.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0002490 | Jul 2000 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/SE01/01405 | 6/20/2001 | WO | 00 | 3/27/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO02/03008 | 1/10/2002 | WO | A |
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3980019 | Anderson et al. | Sep 1976 | A |
4030421 | Litman | Jun 1977 | A |
4494459 | Ziemba | Jan 1985 | A |
4524696 | Altenau et al. | Jun 1985 | A |
5038686 | Zulkoski et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5119730 | Garnett et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5691502 | Craddock et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5979332 | Hammer et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20030164108 A1 | Sep 2003 | US |