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 warhead comprising:
a gas generator;
a plurality of barrels;
a pressure distribution manifold; 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 to strike a target; and
wherein the pressure distribution manifold is configured to direct the pressurized gas from the gas generator to the barrels.
2. The warhead 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 warhead of claim 2 wherein the gas generating material is an explosive material.
4. The warhead of claim 3 wherein, when the gas generator is actuated, the gas generating material deflagrates and is not detonated.
5. The warhead of claim 4 wherein the gas generating material is a low explosive material.
6. The warhead of claim 4 wherein the gas generating material is a high explosive material.
7. The warhead 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 warhead 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 warhead 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 warhead of claim 9 wherein at least some of the barrels have different barrel angles from one another.
11. The warhead of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the barrels are fluidly coupled to the pressure distribution manifold at circumferentially and axially distributed locations about the pressure distribution manifold.
12. The warhead of claim 11 wherein:
at least some of the barrels are provided with a gas restriction section between the pressure distribution manifold and the barrel; and
the gas restriction section is configured to regulate a gas pressure from the pressure distribution manifold into the barrel.
13. The warhead of claim 11 wherein:
the warhead includes a warhead body; and
the pressure distribution manifold and the barrels are defined in the warhead body.
14. The warhead of claim 13 wherein:
the warhead body has an outer surface; and
exit ports of the barrels are defined in the outer surface of the warhead body.
15. The warhead of claim 14 including a cover sheet covering the exit ports.
16. The warhead of claim 14 including muzzle plugs disposed in the exit ports.
17. The warhead of claim 13 wherein:
the gas generator includes a container and the gas generating material disposed in the container; and
the gas generator is mounted on the warhead body to direct the pressurized gas into the manifold.
18. The warhead of claim 1 wherein the manifold is a tubular chamber.
19. The warhead of claim 18 including a volume reducer member than defines an inner boundary of the tubular chamber.
20. The warhead 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.
21. The warhead of claim 1 wherein at least some of the projectiles are spherical.
22. The warhead of claim 1 wherein at least some of the projectiles are disc-shaped.
23. The warhead of claim 1 wherein the warhead includes at least 20 barrels.
24. The warhead of claim 1 wherein at least one of the barrels includes multiple projectiles disposed therein to be fired.
25. The warhead of claim 1 including a gas generator actuation system configured to actuate the gas generator.
26. The warhead of claim 1 wherein the gas generator actuation system includes a hot wire.
27. The warhead of claim 1 wherein the gas generator actuation system includes a shock initiation device.
28. The warhead of claim 1 wherein the warhead is configured such that the pressurized gas pressurizes the barrels via the manifold to substantially simultaneously drive the projectiles out from their respective barrels.
29. A munition comprising:
a munition platform;
a warhead on the munition platform for flight therewith, the warhead including:
a gas generator;
a plurality of barrels;
a pressure distribution manifold; 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 to strike a target; and
wherein the pressure distribution manifold is configured to direct the pressurized gas from the gas generator to the barrels.
30. The munition of claim 29 including a seeker subsystem, wherein the munition is operative to actuate the gas generator responsive to a signal from the seeker subsystem.
31. The munition of claim 30 wherein:
the seeker subsystem includes a height of burst (HOB) sensor; and
the munition is operative to actuate the gas generator responsive to a signal from the HOB sensor.
32. The munition of claim 29 wherein the munition platform includes a propulsion system.
33. A method for damaging a target, the method comprising:
providing a warhead including:
a gas generator;
a plurality of barrels;
a pressure distribution manifold; 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 to strike a target; and
wherein the pressure distribution manifold is configured to direct the pressurized gas from the gas generator to the barrels; 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 is substantially intact.