Abstract: The destructive fragments used in the warhead are in a form of rods of suantially the same length as the warhead itself. Effectiveness is increased by so controlling the outward travel of the rods as to produce a propellering motion about the center of the rods capable of causing the rods to line-up end-to-end at a particular desired radius. The long rods are disposed longitudinally side-by-side in a circular path to form a continuous sleeve about a cylindrical explosive charge. Each rod also is inclined at a slight angle from the longitudinal axis of the warhead to induce the desired propellering motion. The velocity of the warhead is made uniform throughout the length of each rod to minimize tumbling.

Abstract: The cylindrical warhead has an outer, relatively-thin metal skin member and n inner thicker metal casing, the main explosive charge being disposed in the space between the members with associated boosters or charge initiators. The initiators include a first set of circumferentially-spaced aiming detonation members and a second set of similarly spaced main charge-firing members. Aiming is achieved by first firing a selected aiming initiator to produce a force sufficient to rupture and break open an arcuate section of the outer warhead skin but insufficient to produce a main charge detonation. Next, a main charge-firing initiator disposed substantially diametrically opposite the ruptured arcuate section is fired to produce an inwardly-directed main-charge blast for fragmenting the thicker inner casing and driving the fragments in the desired direction through the ruptured arcuate section.

Abstract: A warhead which upon detonation imparts such high velocities to particles magnesium that they expand outwardly faster than the gas from the explosion. The particles are positioned so that they are propelled in predetermined directions. The burning particles precondition the air thus allowing the gaseous explosion products to expand in the particle paths at a much more rapid rate than normal. Larger aluminum particles are also positioned to travel in predetermined directions upon detonation. As the magnesium particles travel outward they lose their effect on the gas cloud because of the distance between them and the expanding gas cloud. The aluminum particles then emerge from the slowing gas cloud and precondition the air to promote more rapid and further expansion of the gas cloud in the paths of the aluminum particles.