Wall-breaching apparatus

Abstract

A novel wall breaching apparatus may be constructed with sufficiently small weight and dimensions that it is effectively portable, while being sufficiently energetic to breach a thick wall. The apparatus consists of a number of similar panels, each including a matrix and a linear shaped charge embedded in the matrix. Each end of the charge is located adjacent an edge of the panel. The panels are configured to be assembled edge to edge in an open condition with the linear shaped charges arranged end to end, or face to face in a closed condition, with the linear shaped charges on the inside of the assembly. Thus, the apparatus may be collapsed to the closed position for storage and transport and assembled in its open condition to produce a single 'semi-continuous' linear charge of fixed shape. The arrangement of the shaped charges end to end produces the 'semi-continuous' linear shaped charge arrangement without the dimensional penalties associated with a continuous charge of the same size and configuration. The apparatus may be made considerably lighter than the known linear shaped charge device by using no metal confinement on the charge. The explosive weight per unit length may be increased to compensate for the lack of confinement without offsetting the considerable weight gains to be achieved. The ommission of the confinement also dramatically reduces the fragmentation hazard on the charge side of the wall.