Ltv Aerospace & Defense Company

Loral Vought Systems Corporation

Lockheed Martin Vought Systems Corp.

Gerald Graves Craddock

Elmer C Cruise

A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at low velocities in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has a metal inner wall member (20, 120) having a plurality of annular cylindrical segments of differing outside diameters, an explosive body (22, 122) of low velocity explosive, and a plurality of arrays (40, 140) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the explosive body (22, 122) and spaced along the length of the explosive body (22, 122). Each array (40, 140) comprises a plurality of objects (28). The explosive body (22, 122) can be in the form of a plurality of annular sections which provide the objects (28) in each array with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. An annular flange (32) can separate the forward end of the explosive body (22, 122) from a booster ring (66), or the booster ring (166) can be positioned within a central cavity of the inner wall member (120). A plurality of holes (168) in the inner wall member (120) can expose the explosive body (122) to the detonation of the booster ring (166). The holes (168) can be aligned with the objects (28) in the radially adjacent array and/or aligned with points between adjacent objects. Outwardly extending flanges (32, 34 or 132, 134) can serve as reflection surfaces for explosive pressure waves. One or more safe arm fuzes (90, 92, 190) can be encased in foam (94, 194) and positioned within an annular structure (76, 120). An annular explosive section can be in the form of discrete segments spaced apart about the circumference of the explosive body.

Low velocity radial deployment with predeterminded pattern

A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at a low velocity in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has an inner wall member (20), an annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, at least a first plurality of objects (56) in a first annular array (51) and a second plurality of objects (56) in a second annular array (52) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, the arrays being positioned at different locations along the length of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive such that the objects in each array are provided with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. Each of the objects (56) has a shape which minimizes aerodynamically induced deviations in the path of the object during deployment, a mass of at least 50 grams, and a density of at least 15 g/cc. The objects (56) can be positioned in a matrix (57 ) of a synthetic polymeric material containing hollow glass microspheres. The low velocity explosive has a detonation velocity of less than 5500 meters per second, and the resulting radial deployment velocity of the objects is less than about 1000 feet per second.

Low velocity radial deployment with predetermined pattern

An explosive, fragmentation structure having means for selectively controlling fragment size and configuration. The structure includes an outer casing having an inner surface defining a chamber and further includes means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of two detonation points with the chamber. Means are provided for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against the surface in a first pattern of segment-defining lines and for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the surface in a second pattern of lines which define segments larger than those of the first pattern.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

Gerald Graves Craddock