Enhancement of solid expolsive munitions using reflective casings

Abstract

A solid explosive munition casing for an explosive charge, the inner surface of the casing including a material that is highly reflective in the optical and infrared spectrum. Through this reflectivity, electromagnetic radiation generated by the detonation process is redirected back into the interior of the munition to increase its explosive output.

1 . A casing for a solid explosive munition comprising a casing wall for enclosing a munition, an inner surface of said casing wall including an optical reflecting layer that is highly reflective in the optical and infrared spectrum, said optical reflecting layer configured to increase explosive performance output of said munition by reflecting electromagnetic radiation generated by detonation of the munition.  
   
   
       2 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes a liquid applied to said inner surface.  
   
   
       3 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes a separate liner element and a cushioning layer between said liner element and said casing.  
   
   
       4 . The casing as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said cushioning layer is made of a polymer or an asphalt-like material.  
   
   
       5 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes sheeting of at least one of metal, ceramic or plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The casing as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes sheeting of a reflecting metal having a low emissivity.  
   
   
       7 . The casing as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the reflecting metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, lead, steel, tungsten, nickel and gold.  
   
   
       8 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface is lined with a shock-absorbing layer to which the optical reflecting layer is applied.  
   
   
       9 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes a plurality of layers.  
   
   
       10 . The casing as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the casing is semi-spherical, having a reflecting end connected to a reflector-lined cylinder and an initiator positioned adjacent a blow-out plate located distally from said reflecting end.  
   
   
       11 . An encased solid explosive munition device comprising a casing and a charge enclosed by said casing, an inner surface of said casing including an optical reflecting layer that is highly reflective in the optical and infrared spectrum, said optical reflecting layer configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation generated by detonation of said munition device to increase explosive output performance.  
   
   
       12 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes a liquid applied to an inner wall surface of said casing.  
   
   
       13 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes sheeting of at least one of metal, ceramic or plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The device as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said optical reflecting layer includes sheeting of a reflecting metal having a low emissivity.  
   
   
       15 . The device as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the reflecting metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, lead, steel, tungsten, nickel and gold.  
   
   
       16 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said optical reflecting layer is so constructed in shape to concentrate and project the radiation in a prescribed direction.  
   
   
       17 . The device as set forth in  claim 16 , further including a blow out plate to expedite projection of the radiation in the prescribed direction.  
   
   
       18 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said casing has a generally cylindrical wall and longitudinally extending reinforcement members radially spaced along said wall.  
   
   
       19 . The device as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said reinforcement members extend from a base element to a penetration head and are made of a first material stronger than a second material of said casing wall.  
   
   
       20 . The device as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said first material is steel and said second material is aluminum.