Fragment Spatial Distribution of Continuous and Discontinuous Multi-Contoured Warheads

Abstract

Pre-formed fragmentation warheads with narrow fragment beam are deployed in guided missiles to neutralize a variety of aerial targets. However, when these missiles are used against ground targets like radar installations, a wide forward beam may be demanded. By shaping fragmenting surface, wide forward fragment beam can be achieved. In single continuous contour design, the fragmenting surface length works out to be small, which results in low warhead mass and fragment hit density. To achieve high mass and hit density, the authors proposed multiple discontinuous contoured fragmenting surfaces. A case study is carried out to generate wide forward fragment beam of 80° using single continuous and double discontinuous contours. The discontinuous contour warhead has improvement in mass by 37% and the observed hit density is 18% higher than continuous contour warhead.