Abstract: A penetrator which is constituted of a heavy-metal, for example, a metal such as tungsten or depleted uranium, and which possesses a differently designed tensile strength and ductility along its length; and a method of manufacturing the penetrator. The penetrator is constituted of a single-crystal of the heavy-metal. The penetrator can be constituted from tungsten; however, it can also be constituted of an alloy whose main component is tungsten, to which rhenium is alloyed.

Abstract: An implosion shaped charge device for jet perforating. In its overall concept, the implosion shaped charge perforator comprises a liner of implosive geometry, a primary explosive contiguous to the liner for providing implosion impulse to such and means for detonating the primary explosive. In a first embodiment the detonating means is an explosively actuated impact detonator. In a second embodiment the detonating means is a laser initiated explosive detonator. Both embodiments may be utilized in a perforating gun for perforating subsurface earth formations. In the operation of the embodiments the primary explosive is detonated with the resulting detonation wave approximately constantly accelerating the liner to radially converge to a small volume, from which a jet is propagated in the direction of the maximum pressure gradient.

Abstract: An implosion shaped charge device for jet perforating. In its overall concept, the implosion shaped charge perforator comprises a liner of implosive geometry, a primary explosive contiguous to the liner for providing implosion impulse to such and means for detonating the primary explosive. In a first embodiment the detonating means is an explosively actuated impact detonator. In a second embodiment the detonating means is a laser initiated explosive detonator. Both embodiments may be utilized in a perforating gun for perforating subsurface earth formations. In the operation of the embodiments the primary explosive is detonated with the resulting detonation wave approximately constantly accelerating the liner to radially converge to a small volume, from which a jet is propagated in the direction of the maximum pressure gradient.

Abstract: An implosion shaped charge device for jet perforating. In its overall concept, the implosion shaped charge perforator comprises a liner of implosive geometry, a primary explosive contiguous to the liner for providing implosion impulse to such and means for detonating the primary explosive. In a first embodiment the detonating means is an explosively actuated impact detonator. In a second embodiment the detonating means is a laser initiated explosive detonator. Both embodiments may be utilized in a perforating gun for perforating subsurface earth formations. In the operation of the embodiments the primary explosive is detonated with the resulting detonation wave approximately constantly accelerating the liner to radially converge to a small volume, from which a jet is propagated in the direction of the maximum pressure gradient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a submunition disposed to be separated from an aeronautical body, for example a shell carrier canister or the like above a target area, the submunition essentially including a warhead (5), a target detector (6) and a device which imparts rotation to the submunition for scanning the target area in a helical pattern (4) during the fall of the submunition towards the target area. The target detector (6) is pivotally disposed on a carrying shaft (12a) parallel to the line of symmetry (5a) of the warhead in order to permit outward activation of the target detector (6) from a collapsed position where the optical axis of the target detector coincides with the line of symmetry (5a) of the warhead to an activated position where the optical axis of the target detector is parallel with the line of symmetry (5a) of the warhead, so as to permit free scanning vision for the target detector (6) beyond the warhead (5).

Abstract: A warhead or horizontal fragmentation mine, which includes an explosive charge arranged within a housing, which is covered at the front end thereof with a concave or planar coating or cladding; and a method for producing the warhead. The coating is entirely, or at least overwhelmingly, constituted of a brittle heavy-metal or hard or carbide metal with a static fracture or breaking expansion of 15 or 25%, in which the coating is decomposed during the detonation into a large number of natural fragments or splinters of certain quantity, which spread out in a definite fragment cone or fragment wedge, and wherein the ratio of the quantity of the coating to that of explosive consists of approximately 1:0.4 to 1:0.6.

Abstract: A two-stage, shaped charge projectile having a rear principal charge and a front secondary smaller charge with an initiator-fuse assembly for sequentially igniting the secondary and principal charges so that the secondary charge is first ignited, followed by ignition of the principal charge after a predetermined time delay. The secondary charge is maintained at a set distance in front of the principal charge which is shielded from rearwardly expanding combustion gases and rearwardly flying debris when the secondary charge is ignited, with these gases and debris being diverted away from the principal charge after the secondary charge has been detonated.

Abstract: An active munition element for combatting a target provided with a jamming device, the element including: a front charge; a rear charge mounted behind the front charge and having a hollow charge element; components connected for actuating each charge, the front charge being operative for developing kinetic energy in the target so as to neutralize the jamming device and the rear charge being actuated after the front charge to be effective against the target without interference; and a tube defining a narrow longitudinal channel having a smaller diameter than, and coaxial with, the rear charge, the channel extending forwardly from the rear charge and having a front end region housing the front charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the final shape of an explosively formed penetrator, in which a liner is explosively accelerated to high velocity to impact upon a mandrel and form a penetrator whose final shape, surface and mass distributions about its axis and along its length are determined by the mandrel shape. The shape of the mandrel can be varied to produce penetrators of optimal shape, depending upon the intended penetrator use. Such shape definition permits the dynamic formation of penetrators which have favorable static margins, which can be fin or spin stabilized, and which can have favorable shapes and mass distributions for effective target penetration.

Abstract: Multiple component frangible penetrators comprise a body portion of a frangible material and a heavy alloy machinable tail portion. Nose components joined to the opposing end of the body portions can be a variety of materials.

Abstract: A projectile 10 with a shaped charge warhead 27 and a nose mounted contact fuze 30. A precursor shaped charge 56 and liner 48 are mounted in the base 38 of fuze 30. When a target 64 is impacted by the projectile 10, a precursor shaped charge jet is produced by charge 56 and liner 48 which forms a passage 66 through fuze 30 substantially free of debris from the fuze 30 through which the warhead shaped charge jet 62 passes.

Abstract: An armor piercing explosive shell comprises a hollow charge and an impact contact member placed in the nose cone of the shell and arranged to provide electrical contact for initiation of the hollow charge upon impact of the shell against the target. To improve the penetrative performance of the shell against targets protected by active armor the nose cone of the shell is provided with a reinforced tip for mechanical penetration of the active armor and the impact contact member does not extend all the way to the tip of the shell so that upon impact of the shell against the active armor contact is obtained only after the reinforced tip has penetrated the active armor.

Abstract: A method of attacking aboveground armored objects, in particular those which are employed for sheltering aircraft; and moreover, to the utilization of steeply descending final flight phase-corrected submunition. The shelter is attacked in an orientation directed generally horizontally against its gate. Furthermore, in the utilization of steeply descending submunition of the type which is employed for implementing the foregoing method, this includes at least one projectile-forming covering oriented genrally transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof, and with a maneuvering sensor responsive to the center of a typical aircraft apron clutter signature in front of an aircraft shelter.

Abstract: A seeker head and an associated electronic system are mounted to the front end of a warhead in order to guide the missile to the target and to initiate detonation at the right time. To prevent the seeker head and the electronic system from confusing an impeding the hollow-charge jet produced by the hollow charge, the components arranged in front of the warhead are accelerated away from the warhead by a pyrotechnical charge shortly before hitting the target so that the seeker head and electronic system separate from the warhead and the hollow-charge jet produced by the warhead can thus hit the target without obstacle.

Abstract: A method and means for sealed joinder of case and cap members of a capsular shaped charge wherein opposing frustoconical shoulders are formed in adjacent walls of a case and cap and a resilient ring is retained therein to hold the case and cap in operative assembly and an elastomeric ring is positioned in a groove in the case member whereby it is under compressive deformation between the case and cap members when joined to seal the shaped charge from external pressures and fluids while allowing relative rotation of case and cap; wherein increasing external pressures, as in the well bore, will increase the sealing effect and strength of joinder of the assembly.

Abstract: A projectile of a predetermined geometrical configuration for small arms ammunition which comprises a solid monolithic body made of a copper alloy of approximately 61.5% of copper, approximately 35% of zinc, approximately 3% of lead and approximately 0.5% of tin.

Abstract: A casing for an explosive charge, especially for an article of submunition, including a covered pouring opening arranged on a damming bottom for the casing, through which an explosive charge is poured into the casing. A plate or disc member for the pouring opening is formed on a closure cover, which disc member lies tightly within the pouring opening and extends deeply into the latter; and wherein an annular rim extending over the pouring opening is formed on the closure cover, including axially open annular groove encompassing the disc member, into which there engages an annular projection of the damming bottom.

Abstract: An artillery projectile or shell containing a plurality of submunitions of the same type, each of which possesses a projectile-forming charge, an antenna on one side thereof, and a flight-stabilizing device on the opposite side. The submunitions are configured and arranged such that the projectile possesses the same location for the center of gravity and the same weight as would an artillery projectile or shell which has been introduced in the practice and which is filled with a charge.

Abstract: A projectile with a tandem charge consisting of a borehole charge and a secondary firing charge, in which exact piercing guidance between the borehole charge and the secondary firing charge is obtained by the counterdirectional motion of the housing part with the secondary firing charge relative to a tubular guiding part of the housing.

Abstract: An assemblage which forms part of a warhead of other explosive device which seeks to overcome the problem of charge/liner detachment caused by excessive shrinkage of charge volume under low ambient temperature conditions and set-back during high acceleration launches.A container comprising a hollow charge liner peripherally attached to a rearwardly extended tubular sleeve contains a charge assemblage that is in contact with the liner and has a rearwardly extended portion protrusive beyond the sleeve. The container is slideable within the casing. A short waisted cylindrical spring washer is disposed within the casing so as to urge the container rearward relative to the case thereby axially compressing the charge assemblage between the liner and the rear end of the casing.

Abstract: A method and means for sealed joinder of case and cap members of a capsular shaped charge wherein mating grooves are formed in adjacent walls of a case and cap and a resilient O-ring is compressively retained therein to hold the case and cap in operative assembly to seal from external pressures and fluids while allowing relative rotation of case and cap; wherein increasing external pressures, as in the well bore, will increase the sealing effect and strength of joinder of the assembly.

Abstract: A fuze for a projectile-forming or fragment-forming, in essence, a spine or barb-forming charge, which affords that two detonating locations which are necessary for the splinter or fragment formation, are concurrently triggered in the region of the circumference of the charge. Through-extending bores are provided in a cover plate for the charge at the end facing towards the fuze, the bores containing a centrally located booster or intensifying charge, and spatially separated therefrom at lateral secure distances, two further booster or intensifying charges positioned diametrically opposite each other, whereby the further booster charges are interconnected through a rapidly reacting transmitting charge arranged in a V-shaped triggering passageway, two detonators being arranged in a slider at a distance from each other, and the detonators in the armed position, respectively, correlate with the central booster charge and with the detonating location for the transmitting charge.

Abstract: An armor-rupturing projectile-forming charge wherein the charge is adapted to selectively produce either single compact projectile, or through suitable measures to be able to concurrently produce a plurality of projectiles, so as to attack hard or heavily-armored targets, such as tank, as well as or lightly-armored, or even unarmored targets through a projectile which is correlated with the target.

Abstract: An explosive charge including a body and an insert disposed within the body and having given regions which are uniformly distributed around the center of the insert which differ from their respective immediately adjacent regions for forming, upon explosive conversion of the charge, a rod-shaped projectile which has a tail end with shaped portions for providing aerodynamic stabilization of the trajectory of the projectile. The insert is fastened to the body in an essentially band-shaped contact zone disposed between the insert and the body so that there exists between the insert and the body a strong force transfer capability at the given regions and a weaker to negligible force transfer capability between the given regions.

Abstract: The projectile body of a hollow charge subsidiary projectile is configured of a helical wire which forms a closed wall in that mutually adjacent wire turns are connected together in common contracting regions. A given number of wire turns at the front of the projectile body beginning in the vicinity of the base of the hollow charge insert remain unconnected so that a spring-like detonator spacer results which is delimited at the front by the last wire turn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite liner for a shaped charge device. The liner comprises a wrought metal or metal alloy substrate having a desired shape and configuration and a coating deposited on a surface of the wrought substrate. The coating comprises a substantially uniform, substantially homogeneous isotropic material having a relatively fine grain structure and a relatively smooth surface which facilitates forming a metal jet having improved performance and penetration.

Abstract: An improved process for metallurgically bonding two layers of metal capable of forming brittle intermetallics, by means of propelling one of the layers progressively into collision along the other layer at a velocity and impact angle selected to produce a waveless, complete metal to metal bond substantially free of the formation of brittle intermetallics along the entire interfacial region of contact between said layers; and includes the welded product formed thereby.

Abstract: An explosive plane-wave air lens which enables a spherical wave form to be converted to a planar wave without the need to specially machine or shape explosive materials is described. A disc-shaped impactor having a greater thickness at its center than around its periphery is used to convert the spherical wave into a plane wave. When the wave reaches the impactor, the center of the impactor moves first because the spherical wave reaches the center of the impactor first. The wave strikes the impactor later in time as one moves radially along the impactor. Because the impactor is thinner as one moves radially outward, the velocity of the impactor is greater at the periphery than at the center. An acceptor explosive is positioned so that the impactor strikes the acceptor simultaneously. Consequently, a plane detonation wave is propagated through the acceptor explosive.

Abstract: A warhead designed for employment against a target having active armor protection comprises a forward shaped charge and a rear shaped charge. The forward shaped charge generates a core explosion whose speed is below 2,500 meters per second, and thus does not detonate the active armor, while the rear charge is formed of a high-performance, high-explosive charge and completely pierces the armor. A time delay of between 50 and 300 .mu.sec is employed for detonating the rear charge after the detonation of the first charge. This type of warhead is suitable for piercing rolled homogenous armor (RHA), or spaced, composite, or active armor, and can be fired by means of rockets, missiles, shells, etc.

Abstract: A projectile with active components or energy-producing bodies which possesses a cylindrical sheathing wall, and which are maintained axially stacked between a projectile base and a projectile head or tip, and wherein there is provided an ejecting arrangement on the projectile for the ejection of the active components. The sheathing or wall structure of each active component is provided with at least two axially-parallel, through-extending bores, in which tie bolts are extended through the aligned bores of the sheathing wall structures of the active components, which tie bolts are fastened at one end thereof to the projectile base and at the other end thereof to the projectile head, wherein each tie bolt possess rupturing or breaking points in the region of the projectile base, in the region of the abutting location between two active components, and in the region of the projectile head.

Abstract: A warhead which incorporates a rotationally-symmetrical hollow charge, and provides for a selectively centered or eccentric triggering thereof through the intermediary of suitably arranged detonators. Arranged symmetrically relative to the centrally-located detonator, are two further detonators in a principal plane. Through the symmetrical arrangement of two detonators outside of the principal axis of the warhead, there is generated an areal, cutting charge jet-like particle stream or jet, which will produce a line-like penetrating crater in the target at a relatively extensive penetrating depth.

Abstract: An apparatus to compensate for the thermal expansion of a component inserted between two elements, particularly an explosive member placed between a lining, and a cover plate in a shaped charge, comprises two rings that are in contact with one another through conical inner and outer surfaces. The ring with the conical outer surface is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the ring with the conical inner surface. So that the apparatus expands upon reduction in temperature and contracts upon increase in temperature to compensate for respective contraction and expansion of the component.

Abstract: A shaped charge bomb whose liner is partially coated with a metal whose dity is greater than that of the liner which coating extends from an inner end on a circumferential line of the liner that results from the intersection of the inner side of the liner with a notional cylinder coaxial with the liner and having a radius not exceeding R/4 where R is the inner radius of the liner, the thickness of the heavy metal coating at each point meeting the equation ##EQU1## where T.sub.c is the coating thickness at a given circumferential line x, T.sub.1 is the liner thickness, .rho..sub.c is the coating density, .rho..sub.1 is the liner density and .beta. is the collapse angle at the circumferential line x.

Abstract: An ammunition unit (1) comprising a shaped-charge warhead which can be ignited by means of direct impact on a target (15), by means of a proximity fuze (16,17) and/or an external signal (29). The warhead has preferably an inclined position so that its longitudinal axis (5,5') is forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (1b) of the unit. The warhead (4,4') is tiltable in the unit from said initial position into another inclined position depending on the type of ignition. In case of an overflying missile its warhead is directed towards the rear parts of a target, i.e. on the other side of the target seen from the direction of the flight.

Abstract: An exploding missile has a casing and a parachute attached to the casing for making it move in a predetermined direction relative to the casing after launch. A charge in the casing has a projectile-forming front face, facing forward in the travel direction. An antenna is provided on the casing behind the front face and charge and is displaceable between a retracted position wholly behind the charge and an extended position projecting laterally therefrom and directed at least generally forwardly in the direction past the charge. An actuator is connected between the casing and the antenna for moving same from the retracted into the extended position after launch of the missile. A controller including a receiver connected to the antenna and a detonator in the charge detects the distance to a target in front of the missile and explodes the charge when a predetermined distance is detected or the target is otherwise sensed.

Abstract: A warhead for a nose-diving aircraft or missile utilized for the attacking of quasi-stationary targets which possess reducing or weakening armour along their vertical height, especially such as radar installations. The warhead has its explosive received within frusto-conically shaped casing region which is constructed as a fragmentation casing, and a cylindrical casing region located in front of the base or tail end, and which is covered with small, radially oriented projectile-forming inserts.

Abstract: A despinning mechanism for a shaped charge warhead carried by a spinning projectile is shown to comprise a weight attached to a cord wrapped around such warhead and a release mechanism operative to allow the weight and cord to move radially outwardly from such warhead to impart a decelerating torque on such warhead.

Abstract: A hollow charge including a primer block with a reverse, integrated ogival screen with a triggering effect.

Abstract: A telescopic warhead for a submunition ejectable from a carrier projectile the explosive charge of which is made up of submunitions scatterable and housed in the front portion of the carrier projectile, characterized in that the telescopic head includes a telescopic sliding skirt formed of a plurality of cylindrical elements, which are preferably metallic. The telescopic warhead, during storage, does not reduce the inside space requirement of the carrier projectile which leaves the inner volume available in front of the explosive charge whether the telescopic warhead is in a storage configuration or in an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A shaped charge perforating unit includes a housing having a cavity formed therein. An explosive charge of high explosive material is retained within the cavity by a liner of non-explosive material. The explosive charge consists of quantities of two explosive materials having different detonation sensitivities.

Abstract: A hybrid explosive unit which is intended for artillery shells or anti-tank mines has a casing, an explosive charge in the casing defining an upwardly-facing hollow, a dished element lining the hollow, a metal cylinder embedded in the charge and extending through a center of the dished element, a sheath of inert material surrounding the cylinder, the cylinder and sheath together forming a first projectile of high penetrating power, and, a plate of inert material embedded in the charge across the lower ends of the cylinder and of the sheath, the plate being adapted, upon firing of the unit, to act as an attenuator and diffractor of the detonation wave, and the plate and dished element together forming a second projectile of high penetrating power which travels behind the first projectile when the unit is fired.

Abstract: The method achieves a top soft armor attack with the favorable attack ang In addition it eliminates the wiping motion. This is accomplished by a small upward exhausting thruster over the warhead. This thruster, activated on command from the launch station, institutes a rapid pitch down rotation of the missile imparting an angular momentum. This angular momentum produces a jet wiping effect in the opposite direction of that produced by the missile forward flight.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly is provided for use in a perforating gun of the type used to perforate oil or gas wells. The assembly includes at least one shaped charge including an outer case having an outer surface and a first shoulder extending radially outward from the outer surface. The assembly also includes a carrier having an opening therethrough large enough to receive the outer surface of the case, and having a resilient tab extending into the opening for frictionally engaging at least a first portion of the outer surface of the case, and for thereby holding the shaped charge in place relative to the carrier with the shoulder of the shaped charge abutting the carrier.

Abstract: An ordnance device includes a submunition having a generally cylindrical case packed with an explosive charge. The rearmost end of the case is capped by a detonator that fires the explosive charge when a target is sensed. The front end of the case is capped by a liner that on detonation of the explosive charge converts to one or more explosively forged penetrators that speed toward the target at supersonic speed. By assembling the liner from a plurality of narrow metal strips arranged in parallel and weakly bonded together, the strips separate on detonation forming a plurality of aerodynamically stable slugs, each of which has undergone plastic deformation to form a projectile that is potentially lethal.

Abstract: An explosive separation system for making a clean cut in composite laminate aterials in which a flexible linear shaped charge is maintained in a molded holder of a low-density, energy-absorbing material. The flexible linear shaped charge is molded in the holder when the holder itself is molded to ensure correct alignment of the charge and a correct standoff distance from the surface to be cut. The holder has sufficient volume to dissipate reflected explosive forces to reduce secondary damage to the cut edges and to areas adjacent to target area.

Abstract: A procedure for steering a missile launched at low speed from a tube, with the missile being equipped with a propulsion unit system of the type with a propellant fuel charge. The procedure is characterized by the fact that the above-mentioned propulsion unit system is determined and arranged in such a way that it can simultaneously impart to the missile axial propulsive thrust and maneuver forces for steering by force and that the variation of the position of the center of gravity of the missile on its axis as a function of the burn-up of the propellant charge is such that, when the missile leaves the tube, the center of gravity passes through the line of action of the above-mentioned maneuver forces and that, during its flight, makes it possible for torques to develop which generate aerodynamic angles of attack and which produce maneuver forces which are added to those of steering by force.

Abstract: A shaped charge perforating unit includes a housing having a cavity formed therein. An explosive charge of high explosive material is retained within the cavity by a liner of non-explosive material. The exterior of the housing is substantially surrounded by a porous jacket of high strength fiber material.

Abstract: A missile having a shaped charge warhead mounted therein for being canted or near a target to present the shaped charge warhead in an advantageous position for destroying the target.

Abstract: A missile which has a shaped charge warhead mounted therein in such a man that the shaped charge warhead is automatically pivoted or canted after launch of the missile to present a shaped charge warhead in an advantageous position for destroying a target.

Abstract: In a missile having a shaped charge warhead that is pivotable from a posin in which the axis of the shaped charge is in alignment with the axis of the missile to a canted position in which the axis of the shaped charge warhead is canted relative to the axis of the missile and a rigid detonation transfer system for transferring detonation from safe and arm mechanism of the missile to the shaped charge warhead and utilizing a rigid arm with explosive therein and a precision initiation coupler on the shaped charge warhead to transfer detonation from the safe and arm mechanism to the shaped charge of the warhead to initiate explosion thereof.