Improvements in runway denial weapons

摘要

A method is provided of rendering an aircraft runway unusable by firing into it a large number of spikes to damage aircraft wheels. Each spike consists of a hardened shaft 2 pointed and fluted at its lower end to penetrate the runway, and a "gun" barrel 1 down which the shaft is propelled when an explosive charge 3 in the barrel is initiated by firing hammer 5 overcoming the force of spring 7 upon impact of the device on the ground. The upper end of the barrel is fitted with a drag device, e.g. flip up vanes 10, to cause the spike to hit the runway in the right attitude. The shaft is retained in the barrel by a shear pin 9 until the charge 3 is fired. The shaft can be bladed or configured at its projecting upper end in any way to cause maximum damage to aircraft wheels, and may be treated to deter disposal. IMAGE