Integrated warhead rocket motor

Abstract

An integrated warhead and rocket motor subassembly. The novel subassembly includes a warhead, a rocket motor, and a single bulkhead separating the warhead and the rocket motor. The bulkhead is adapted to handle both pressure loads from the rocket motor and missile carry loads transmitted through a hook and hangar assembly, which is bolted into the bulkhead. In an illustrative embodiment, the warhead includes an explosive fill surrounded by a material adapted to form a plurality of fragments upon detonation. In a preferred embodiment, the fragments are formed into small cubes that are 80 to 85 grain in weight, using a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc.

1 . An integrated warhead and rocket motor subassembly comprising:
 a casing that has an exterior surface;   a single bulkhead disposed within said casing such that two cavities are formed therein, a first cavity on a first side of said bulkhead and a second cavity on a second side of said bulkhead;   a warhead disposed within said first cavity, wherein said exterior surface of said casing that surrounds said warhead includes a material forming a plurality of fragments upon detonation and wherein said fragments are 80 to 85 grain in weight and made from a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc; and   a rocket motor disposed within said second cavity;   wherein said bulkhead handles pressure loads from said rocket motor and wherein said bulkhead is also adapted to handle missile carry loads.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said bulkhead is located beneath a missile attach point. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein said subassembly further includes a hook and hangar assembly bolted into said bulkhead. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein said bulkhead handles carry loads transmitted through said hook and hangar assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said warhead is located forward of said rocket motor. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said rocket motor includes a propellant. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein said subassembly further includes a mechanism for igniting said propellant. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 8  wherein said mechanism is attached to said bulkhead. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said warhead includes an explosive fill. 
     
     
         11 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said fragments are made from tantalum. 
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said fragments are made from tungsten heavy alloy. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A missile subassembly comprising:
 a casing;   a bulkhead disposed within said casing such that said casing is separated into two cavities, a first cavity on a first side of said bulkhead and a second cavity on a second side of said bulkhead;   a warhead explosive disposed within said first cavity;   a rocket motor propellant disposed within said second cavity; and   a hook and hangar assembly attached to said bulkhead.   
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said bulkhead is adapted to handle pressure loads from said second cavity during combustion of said propellant. 
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 17  wherein said bulkhead is also adapted to handle missile carry loads transmitted through said hook and hangar assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said subassembly further includes a material adapted to form a plurality of fragments upon detonation of said explosive. 
     
     
         20 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said fragments are made from a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc. 
     
     
         21 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said fragments are formed into cubes that are 80 to 85 grain in weight. 
     
     
         22 . A missile comprising:
 a casing that has an exterior surface;   a single bulkhead disposed within said casing such that two cavities are formed therein, a first cavity on a first side of said bulkhead and a second cavity on a second side of said bulkhead;   a hook and hangar assembly bolted into said bulkhead;   a warhead explosive disposed within said first cavity, wherein said exterior surface of said casing that surrounds said warhead includes a material forming a plurality of fragments upon detonation and wherein said fragments are 80 to 85 grain in weight and made from a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc; and   a rocket motor propellant disposed within said second cavity;   wherein said bulkhead handles pressure loads from said second cavity during combustion of said propellant and wherein said bulkhead handles missile carry loads transmitted through said hook and hangar assembly.   
     
     
         23 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The invention of  claim 22  wherein said warhead is located forward of said rocket motor. 
     
     
         28 . The invention of  claim 22  wherein said missile further includes a material forming a plurality of fragments upon detonation of said warhead. 
     
     
         29 . The invention of  claim 28  wherein said fragments are made from a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc. 
     
     
         30 . The invention of  claim 28  wherein said fragments are formed into cubes that are 80 to 85 grain in weight. 
     
     
         31 . A method for integrating a warhead and rocket motor including the steps of:
 designing a bulkhead adapted to handle both rocket motor pressure loads as well as missile carry loads;   forming said bulkhead within a said casing such that said casing is separated into a first cavity and a second cavity;   inserting warhead explosive in said first cavity;   inserting rocket motor propellant in said second cavity; and   attaching a hook and hangar assembly to said bulkhead.   
     
     
         32 . A missile component comprising:
 a casing that has an exterior surface;   a single bulkhead disposed within said casing such that two cavities are formed therein, a first cavity on a first side of said bulkhead and a second cavity on a second side of said bulkhead; and   a hook and hangar assembly bolted into said bulkhead,   wherein said bulkhead handles rocket motor pressure loads from said second cavity and wherein said bulkhead handles missile carry loads transmitted through said hook and hangar assembly, wherein said exterior surface of said casing includes a material forming a plurality of fragments upon detonation and wherein said fragments are 80 to 85 grain in weight and made from a material having a density greater than 16 g/cc.