Inconsistent Performance of a Tandem-shaped Charge Warhead

Tandem shaped charge warhead is one of the efficient methods to defeat the explosive reactive armour (ERA) protected main battle tanks (MBT). In this concept, two shaped charges mounted in the same missile are initiated one after the other with certain time delay. First shaped charge jet would remove the ERA and the second jet would penetrate the bare armour. Both these explosive charges are mounted close to each other most of the time due to severe space constraints in the system. It is necessary to protect the second charge from the blast effects of first charge, during the time delay between the initiations of two charges. Blast effect of precursor charge on main charge is understood to have detrimental effects on the performance of warhead system.This paper presents a case study of an investigation into the inconsistent performance of a tandem warhead for a third generation antitank missile. The warhead generated a crooked jet resulting in inconsistent penetration performance. Typical crater profiles were observed when the penetration performance deteriorated. Systematic analysis was carried out and simulations were performed using Autodyn-3D to reproduce the phenomenon. Experiments were conducted using Flash X-ray which substantiated the assumptions made for simulation studies.Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(2), pp.164-168, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.33

Design Philosophy of variable Mass Preformed Fragmented Missile Warhead

Fragment hit density and hit probability of the warhead are the critical parameters in the selection of a preformed fragment-type missile warhead against ground targets. Hence these factors are to be maximised. The parametric studies of these factors have lead to a new concept of variable mass preformed fragmented (VMPF) warhead. A philosophy was evolved for the VMPF-type missile warheads. A computer software for generating the external configuration of the VMPF-type missile warhead was developed and basic algorithm is discussed in this paper. With this new design approach, the fragment hit density and hit probability were improved considerably in the shorter ranges, when compared to that of a uniform mass preformed fragmented warhead of conventional design

Application of Computer Graphics to Performance Studies of Missile Warheads

Intercept geometry of target aircraft and missiles play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the warhead. Factors such as fragment spatial distribution profile, damage capabilities, target and missile characteristics have been considered and visualised through computer graphics and optimum intercept intercept angles have been arrived. Computer graphics has proved to be an important tool to enhance perception and conceptual design capabilities in the design environment

Quantification of projection angle in fragment generator warhead

Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) class target neutralization by the fragment spray of a Fragment Generator Warhead (FGW) calls for quantification of fragment projection angle scatter to finalize the end game engagement logic. For conventional axi-symmetric warhead, dispersion is assumed to be normal with a standard deviation of 30. However, such information is not available in case of FGW. Hence, a set of experiments are conducted to determine the dispersion of fragments. The experiments are conducted with a specific configuration of FGW in an identical arena to quantify the scatter and then verified its applicability to other configurations having a range of L/D and C/M ratios, and contoured fragmenting discs. From the experimental study, it is concluded that the scatter in projection angle follows normal distribution with a standard deviation of 0.75° at Chi-square significance level of 0.01(χ20.99)