Kinetic energy rod warhead with isotropic firing of the projectiles
A kinetic energy rod warhead including a plurality of sections each enclosing a plurality of projectile and an explosive charge partially surrounding the projectiles defining a primary projectile firing direction. The firing direction of each section is different for isotropically deploying the projectiles.
1. A kinetic energy rod warhead comprising:
a plurality of sections each enclosing a plurality of projectiles and an explosive charge partially surrounding the projectiles defining a primary projectile firing direction; and
the primary firing direction of each section being different for isotropically deploying the projectiles.
2. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which there are n sections defining firing directions 360\n° apart.
3. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which each section further includes a core explosive charge surrounded by the projectiles for alternatively deploying all the projectiles in a number of firing directions.
4. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the sections are stacked on top of each other.
5. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 further including a body with orifices therein, the projectiles disposed in the orifices of the body.
6. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the sections form the skin of a missile.
7. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 further include a buffer material between the projectiles and the explosive charge.
8. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the projectiles are lengthy metallic members.
9. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 8 in which the projectiles are made of tungsten.
10. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the explosive charge is divided into sections and in which each explosive charge section is wedge-shaped.
11. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the projectiles have a non-cylindrical cross-section for improved strength, weight, packaging efficiency, penetrability, and/or lethality.
12. The kinetic energy rod warhead of claim 1 in which the projectiles have opposing ends at least one of which is pointed.
13. A kinetic energy rod warhead comprising:
a plurality of n sections each enclosing a plurality of non-cylindrical cross section projectiles and an explosive charge partially surrounding the projectiles defining primary projectile firing directions 360°/n apart,
the primary firing direction of each section being different for isotropically deploying the projectiles.