Munitions having an insensitive detonator system for initiating large failure diameter explosives
View Patent ↗A munition according to a preferred embodiment can include a detonator system having a detonator that is selectively coupled to a microwave source that functions to selectively prime, activate, initiate, and/or sensitize an insensitive explosive material for detonation. The preferred detonator can include an explosive cavity having a barrier within which an insensitive explosive material is disposed and a waveguide coupled to the explosive cavity. The preferred system can further include a microwave source coupled to the waveguide such that microwaves enter the explosive cavity and impinge on the insensitive explosive material to sensitize the explosive material for detonation. In use the preferred embodiments permit the deployment and use of munitions that are maintained in an insensitive state until the actual time of use, thereby substantially preventing unauthorized or unintended detonation thereof.
1. A munition comprising:
a detonator comprising:
a microwave cavity comprising a waveguide cavity and an explosive cavity;
a first insensitive explosive material disposed within the explosive cavity;
an optical coupling connecting a waveguide to the waveguide cavity to direct microwaves at the insensitive explosive material to sensitize the insensitive explosive material for detonation; and
a second insensitive explosive material that detonates in response to detonation of the first insensitive explosive material.
2. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the explosive cavity is defined in part by a barrier separating the first insensitive explosive material from the second insensitive explosive material.
3. The munition of claim 2 , wherein the barrier is a substantially reflective material.
4. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the explosive cavity is substantially hemispherical.
5. The munition of claim 4 , wherein the first insensitive explosive material is substantially hemispherical.
6. The munition of claim 5 , wherein the waveguide cavity comprises a ring resonator.
7. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the explosive cavity comprises a resonant cavity comprising a well defined mode structure tuned to a predetermined microwave frequency.
8. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the explosive cavity is substantially cylindrical.
9. The munition of claim 8 , wherein the insensitive explosive material is substantially cylindrical.
10. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the first insensitive explosive material comprises one of: triaminotrinitrobenzene, 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene, PBX-9502, PBX-9503, LX-17-0, PBXW-14, DAAF, LAX-112, or FOX-7.
11. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises one of a coaxial cable, a cylindrical waveguide, a strip waveguide, or a rib waveguide.
12. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising an exploding foil initiator connected to the first insensitive explosive material.
13. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising a laser initiator optically coupled to the first insensitive explosive material.
14. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising an exploding bridgewire detonator connected to the first insensitive explosive material.
15. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising an explosive device detonator connected to the first insensitive explosive material.
16. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising a microwave source couplable to the waveguide such that microwaves enter the explosive cavity and impinge on the first insensitive explosive material to sensitize the explosive material for detonation.
17. The munition of claim 16 , wherein the microwave source is integrated into the munition.
18. The munition of claim 16 , wherein the microwave source is configured to emit microwave radiation at a predetermined energy, at a predetermined frequency, and for a predetermined interval.
19. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the predetermined energy ranges between fifty and five thousand joules.
20. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the predetermined energy ranges between one hundred and four hundred joules.
21. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the predetermined energy is approximately two hundred fifty joules.
22. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the predetermined interval is less than or substantially equal to five seconds.
23. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the predetermined interval is approximately one tenth of one second.
24. The munition of claim 18 , wherein the microwave source is configured to emit microwave radiation that alters one of a morphology or a porosity of the primary portion.
25. The munition of claim 24 , wherein the microwave radiation temporarily alters one of the morphology or porosity of the primary portion.
26. The munition of claim 24 , wherein the microwave radiation permanently alters one of the morphology or porosity of the primary portion.
27. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide cavity comprises a ring resonator.
28. The munition of claim 1 , further comprising an optical coupling between the waveguide cavity and the microwave source.
29. The munition of claim 28 , wherein the optical coupling is configured to receive one of a coaxial cable, a cylindrical waveguide, a strip waveguide, or a rib waveguide.