Missile system for breaching reinforced concrete barriers utilizing hinged explosively formed projectile warheads

Abstract

A hinged explosively formed projectile warhead system eliminates exposure of soldiers to harm in wall breaching operations by providing a lethal mechanism that can be deployed at safe distances, simultaneously breaching a man-sized hole and removing one or more rows of rebar in reinforced concrete structures or barriers. The warhead system employs both a missile system and explosively formed projectile warhead technology delivered to the target from a tube launched platform. A set of warhead arms is attached to the aft end of a missile body by means of a set of hinges. The warhead arms are initially folded against the missile body. After launch of the warhead system, the warhead arms fold away from the missile body. The angle at which the warhead arms are folded from the missile body determines the area of a hole breached by the warhead system in a reinforced concrete target.