Multi-jet Warhead to Defeat Specialized Targets

This research considers innovative technologies to attack and defeat specialized targets and materiel within structures. The goal is to use high levels of explosive energy in the form of shaped charge warheads to generate high temperature environments, and to accelerate lethal fragments and jets against structures, to breach such structures and deposit lethal energy inside the interior against electronic components. To accomplish this goal, a combination of technologies is being utilized. The designs utilize shaped charges having unique liner geometries that breach structures and attack vulnerable components behind the structure. The approach takes advantage of energy release of reactive materials to deposit large amounts of energy against internal targets for their mitigation and destruction. The design incorporates a penetrating precursor warhead, and a secondary warhead so that multiple formed jets can produce dual material effects against the targets of interest. The attack mechanisms include reactive material fragmentation and reactive material liners producing shaped charge jets. This approach produces additional lethality against targets that are not only vulnerable to mechanical damage but thermal damage as well. The new warhead design has application as a new round capability for the MK19 grenade launcher system.