Modular payload warhead

Abstract

A warhead casing and method of inserting compartments into a warhead casing. The system includes a nose section, a tail section, and a tubular body section therebetween. The sections define a lengthwise axis of the casing. The system further includes a first plurality of compartments radially arranged along a perimeter of the tubular body section. The first plurality of compartments form a first cross-sectional layer. The system further includes a central cavity extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing, the central cavity being defined at least by an inner surface of the first plurality of compartments or the tubular body section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A warhead casing, comprising:
 a nose section, a tail section, and a tubular body section therebetween, the sections defining a lengthwise axis of the casing;   a first plurality of compartments arranged radially along a perimeter of the tubular body section, the first plurality of compartments forming a first cross-sectional layer; and   a central cavity extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing, the central cavity being defined at least by an inner surface of the first plurality of compartments or the tubular body section.   
     
     
         2 . The warhead casing of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first plurality of compartments are arranged along an inner perimeter of the tubular body section, and   wherein the central cavity is defined at least by the inner surface of the first plurality of compartments.   
     
     
         3 . The warhead casing of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first plurality of compartments are arranged along an outer perimeter of the tubular body section, and   wherein the central cavity is defined the tubular body section.   
     
     
         4 . The warhead casing of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of compartments have a first plurality of openings that extend radially along the lengthwise axis of the casing. 
     
     
         5 . The warhead casing of  claim 4 , wherein the first plurality of compartments have a first plurality of lids configured to seal contents within the first plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         6 . The warhead casing of  claim 5 , the first plurality of lids are arcuate to accommodate an arcuate cross-section of the tubular body section. 
     
     
         7 . The warhead casing of  claim 2 , wherein the inner surface is arcuate and defines respective bases to the first plurality of compartments such that the central cavity is generally cylindrical extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The warhead casing of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular body section has an interior surface and the warhead casing further comprises:
 adhesive applied to at least a portion of the interior surface.   
     
     
         9 . The warhead casing of  claim 1 , wherein one compartment of the first plurality of compartments is a strongback. 
     
     
         10 . The warhead casing of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the first plurality of compartments, the second plurality of compartments forming a second cross-sectional layer.   
     
     
         11 . The warhead casing of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a third plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the second plurality of compartments, the third plurality of compartments forming a third cross-sectional layer;   a fourth plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the third plurality of compartments, the fourth plurality of compartments forming a fourth cross-sectional layer.   a fifth plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the fourth plurality of compartments, the fifth plurality of compartments forming a fifth cross-sectional layer.   a sixth plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the fifth plurality of compartments, the sixth plurality of compartments forming a sixth cross-sectional layer.   a seventh plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the sixth plurality of compartments, the seventh plurality of compartments forming a seventh cross-sectional layer.   an eighth plurality of compartments arranged along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section and adjacent to the seventh plurality of compartments, the eighth plurality of compartments forming an eighth cross-sectional layer.   
     
     
         12 . A warhead casing, comprising:
 a nose section, a tail section, and a tubular body section therebetween, the sections defining a lengthwise axis of the casing;   a first cross-sectional layer including one or more compartments positioned along an inner perimeter of the tubular body section, the first cross-sectional layer including inner and outer surfaces; and   a central cavity, defined at least by the inner surface of the first cross-sectional layer, extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing.   
     
     
         13 . A method of inserting compartments into a warhead casing, the method comprising:
 providing a tubular body section defining a lengthwise axis of the casing;   inserting a first plurality of compartments along an inner perimeter of the tubular body section, the first plurality of compartments forming a first cross-sectional layer, the first plurality of compartments forming at least a portion of the central cavity extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inserting a second plurality of compartments along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section, the second plurality of compartments forming a second cross-sectional layer adjacent to the first cross-sectional layer; the first and second plurality of compartments forming at least a portion of the central cavity extending along the lengthwise axis of the casing.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 inserting a third plurality of compartments along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section, the third plurality of compartments forming a third cross-sectional layer adjacent the second cross-sectional layer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 inserting a fourth plurality of compartments along the inner perimeter of the tubular body section, the fourth plurality of compartments forming a fourth cross-sectional layer adjacent the third cross-sectional layer.