Munitions and methods for operating same
A warhead includes a gas generator, a plurality of barrels, and a plurality of projectiles. The warhead is configured to selectively actuate the gas generator to generate a pressurized gas that energetically propels the projectiles through and out from the barrels to strike a target.
1. A method for damaging a target, the method comprising:
providing a munition including:
a munition platform;
a warhead on the munition platform for flight therewith, the warhead including:
a gas generator;
a warhead body including a plurality of barrels; and
a plurality of projectiles; and
actuating the gas generator to generate a pressurized gas that energetically propels the projectiles through and out from the barrels in a forward direction to strike a target and such that the energetically propelled projectiles form a cone of effect;
wherein, after the projectiles are energetically propelled from the barrels, the warhead impacts within the cone of effect while the warhead body is substantially intact.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the gas generator includes a combustible gas generating material; and
when the gas generator is actuated, the gas generating material is combusted to generate the pressurized gas.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the gas generating material is an explosive material.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein, when the gas generator is actuated, the gas generating material deflagrates and is not detonated.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the gas generating material is a low explosive material.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the gas generating material is a high explosive material.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the warhead has a leading end and an opposing trailing end, and a warhead axis extending in a forward direction from the trailing end to the leading end; and
at least some of the barrels have a barrel axis that extends radially outward relative to the warhead axis.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least some of the barrels have a barrel axis the forms an oblique barrel angle relative to the warhead axis.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein at least some of the barrels have a barrel axis that forms an acute barrel angle relative to the warhead axis in the forward direction.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least some of the barrels have different barrel angles from one another.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein each barrel includes:
a breech section and projectile guide section;
at least one projectile mounted in the breech section thereof; and
a retainer plug holding the at least one projectile in the breech section until the gas generator is actuated.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the projectiles are spherical.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the projectiles are disc-shaped.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the warhead includes at least 20 barrels.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the barrels includes multiple projectiles disposed therein to be fired.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the warhead includes a gas generator actuation system configured to actuate the gas generator.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas generator actuation system includes a hot wire.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas generator actuation system includes a shock initiation device.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the munition includes a seeker subsystem, and the step of actuating the gas generator includes the munition actuating the gas generator responsive to a signal from the seeker subsystem.
20. The munition of claim 19 wherein:
the seeker subsystem includes a height of burst (HOB) sensor; and
the step of actuating the gas generator includes the munition actuating the gas generator responsive to a signal from the HOB sensor.
21. The munition of claim 1 wherein the munition platform includes a propulsion system.
22. A method for damaging a target, the method comprising:
providing a warhead including:
a gas generator;
a warhead body including a plurality of barrels; and
a plurality of projectiles; and
actuating the gas generator to generate a pressurized gas that energetically propels the projectiles through and out from the barrels in a forward direction to strike a target and such that the energetically propelled projectiles form a cone of effect;
wherein, after the projectiles are energetically propelled from the barrels, the warhead impacts within the cone of effect while the warhead body is substantially intact.
23. A warhead comprising:
a gas generator;
a warhead body having an outer surface;
a plurality of barrels in the warhead body; and
a plurality of projectiles;
wherein the warhead is configured to selectively actuate the gas generator to generate a pressurized gas that energetically propels the projectiles through and out from the barrels through the exit ports to strike a target; and
wherein each barrel includes:
a breech section, an exit port in the outer surface of the warhead body, and a projectile guide section between the breech section and the exit port;
at least one projectile mounted in the breech section thereof;
a retainer plug holding the at least one projectile in the breech section until the gas generator is actuated; and
a cover sheet covering the exit port and/or an exit port plug disposed in the exit port.