Design Philosophy of variable Mass Preformed Fragmented Missile Warhead

Abstract

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