Enhanced Stability and Penetration Depth of Deep Earth Penetrators

DTRA and other DoD agencies are currently seeking earth penetrators with higher efficiency for reaching deeply buried targets. Current penetrator materials and designs suffer from high levels of frictional drag, unbalanced resistance due to lateral forces and localized melting of the warhead leading to shape change and further instability. General Sciences, Inc. (GSI) has developed a method for enhanced penetration performance of Deep Earth Penetrating Warheads (EPWs) based on reactive materials, specifically the release and combustion of hydrogen form a solid state metal hydride carrier. In addition, GSI has identified two processes to manufacture metal hydrides not commercially available, one involving direct hydrogenation of the target metal and the other involving transfer hydrogen from a hydride to a metal, a significant safety advantage. Lab scale experiments have been performed demonstrating the validity of this approach by evaluating different reactive materials ballistically launched into concrete target blocks. In addition to the experimental effort, GSI has worked with General Dynamics-OTI (GD-OTI) to create computer simulations showing the penetration event in sand/concrete targets and the enhancement possible by the creation of a low-friction gas zone between the penetrator and the earthen overburden. GSI will evaluate new reactive materials, manufacture and analyze tantalum hydride by direct and transfer hydrogenation, fabricate scaled penetrators for evaluation at General Dynamic’s sled test facility and will culminate this Phase II program with the construction of a prototype Deep Earth Penetrating warhead.