Development and Characterization of Multilayer Integrated Warhead Structure

摘要

This experimental program demonstrated the potential benefits from an integrated multilayered fragmenting warhead structure which uses the structural weight as deliverable fragment mass and the fragment mass to increase the structural strength and stiffness. The fabrication techniques and design developments were accomplished using wax and polyester as surrogates for the ceramic cores and cast steel of the final concept. Steel castings (17-4PH) were made and specimens were machined to characterize the structural properties of the concept. The property measurements showed tensile strengths approaching the maximum possible for an annealed cast steel skin. The compressive strengths were greater than that expected for the skin membrane of the integrated structure. In flexure, the multilayer fragments construction was equivalent to a solid beam (on a per unit length basis) 70% the thickness of fragment structure. The shear banding found in the tensile specimens suggests a potential for fragmentation under explosive loading and justifies continuing to characterize the concept.