Mushroom warhead

Abstract

A warhead including a first section with a dish-shaped first fragmentation layer, and a second section with a barrel-shaped second fragmentation layer.

1 . A warhead comprising: 
 (a) a first section including a substantially dish-shaped first fragmentation layer; and    (b) a second section including a substantially barrel-shaped second fragmentation layer.    
   
   
       2 . The warhead of  claim 1 , wherein said first fragmentation layer is concave towards said second section.  
   
   
       3 . The warhead of  claim 1 , wherein said first fragmentation layer is continuous.  
   
   
       4 . The warhead of  claim 1 , wherein said first fragmentation layer includes a central aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The warhead of  claim 1 , further comprising; 
 (c) a single explosive charge that, when detonated, produces both a first fragmentation pattern corresponding to said first fragmentation layer and a second fragmentation pattern corresponding to said second fragmentation layer.    
   
   
       6 . The warhead of  claim 5 , wherein said explosive charge includes a recess for a fuse.  
   
   
       7 . The warhead of  claim 5 , wherein said fragmentation patterns overlap.  
   
   
       8 . The warhead of  claim 7 , wherein said first fragmentation pattern is conical and wherein said second fragmentation pattern is annular.  
   
   
       9 . The warhead of  claim 7 , wherein said overlap is annular.  
   
   
       10 . The warhead of  claim 7 , wherein said fragmentation patterns span a polar angle range of at least about 150 degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The warhead of  claim 5 , wherein said first fragmentation pattern is conical and wherein said second fragmentation pattern is annular.  
   
   
       12 . The warhead of  claim 1 , wherein, when the warhead is detonated, said sections produce overlapping respective fragmentation patterns.  
   
   
       13 . The warhead of  claim 12 , wherein said fragmentation patterns span a polar angle range of at least about 150 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The warhead of  claim 12 , wherein said overlap is annular.  
   
   
       15 . The warhead of  claim 1 , wherein, when the warhead is detonated, said first section produces a conical fragmentation pattern and said second section produces an annular fragmentation pattern.  
   
   
       16 . A missile comprising the warhead of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       17 . The missile of  claim 16 , further comprising a fuselage, and wherein said first section substantially spans said fuselage.  
   
   
       18 . The missile of  claim 16 , wherein said second section is aft of said first section.  
   
   
       19 . The missile of  claim 16 , further comprising a seeker head, the warhead being aft of said seeker head.  
   
   
       20 . A method of designing a warhead to fit inside a space bounded by an envelope, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) selecting a first radius of curvature sufficient to provide a desired fragment density;    (b) selecting a first center of curvature within the space;    (c) drawing a first circular arc centered on said first center of curvature and having said first radius of curvature until said first circular arc intersects said envelope;    (d) drawing a straight line from said intersection of said first circular arc with said envelope through said first center of curvature;    (e) selecting a second radius of curvature sufficient to provide said desired fragment density;    (f) selecting a second center of curvature; and    (g) drawing a second circular arc centered on said second center of curvature and having said second radius of curvature, said second circular arc starting from said straight line, said first circular arc and a portion of said straight line between said first and second circular arcs defining a first section of the warhead, said second circular arc defining a second section of the warhead.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said second center of curvature is on said straight line.