USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Michael R Osburn

James E Means

Stephen L Redmond

Fred L Menz

Jerry O Jones

A system for aiming a selectively aimable warhead (SAW) at a target by exsively deforming the warhead into a shape desirable for directionality. Twenty-four explosive forming charges are located around the circumference of the warhead and run the entire length of the warhead. The proximity fuze selects one sector out of 24 as the direction aim. Having selected a sector in the azimuth, the forming charge in that sector plus the adjacent two forming charges are initiated simultaneously. After a time delay interval sufficient to allow the warhead to deform (about 1/2 millisecond to 1 millisecond), warhead boosters located furthest from the target (or 180 degrees from the forming charges) and on each end of the warhead, are initiated simultaneously. The warhead is detonated generating a high velocity fragment beam towards the target.

Selectively aimable warhead initiation system

An out-of-line safe/arm device for initiating an explosive deep within a thermal well which maintains the sensitive explosive elements thereof in an out-of-line position until armed by the pressures unique to the environment of the well.

Safe/arm firing device

A safety-arming device for use in a highly maneuverable missile is disclo which takes into account lateral acceleration of the missile and selects the proper point in the trajectory after which arming of the missile warhead may safely proceed. The safety-arming device uses a series of electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical interlocks to insure that premature arming of the missile warhead does not occur.

Growing community of inventors

Ridgecrest, CA, United States of America

Michael R Osburn