Controlled fragmentation warhead

Claim 2

A controlled fragmentation warhead comprising in combination: a. A plurality of substantially identical elongated fragments, each having a longitudinal axis, assembled about a common axis to form form an annular structure having annular ends, said common axis being the longitudinal axis of said annular structure, said annular structure being comprised of substantially identical and contiguous annular rows of said fragments, the fragments in each of said annular rows being substantially contiguously disposed such that the longitudinal axes of the fragments in each of said annular rows are parallel to said common axis; b. Means to enclose said annular structure so as to form a closed cavity therein, said enclosing means being so formed that said closed cavity includes an annular end space contiguous to each of said ends of said annular structure; c. An explosive charge completely filling said closed cavity; and d. Means for substantially simultaneously detonating said explosive charge at both ends thereof;! whereby axial as well as radial explosive pressure is applied to said fragments by said detonation at both ends.

Claim 3

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes of the fragments in each of said annular rows are circumferentially offset a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axes of the fragments in the next adjacent annular row.

Claim 4

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 2 having an even number of said annular rows of fragments and wherein said circumferal offset of the longitudinal axes of said fragments in each of said annular rows in relation to the longitudinal axes of said fragments in the next adjacent of said annular rows is according to a pattern wherein: a. One of the most central pair of said annular rows of fragments is designated as the primary base row of fragments: b. The other of the most central pair of said annular rows of fragments is designated as the secondary base row of fragments; c. The longitudinal axes of the fragments in said secondary base row of fragments are circumferally offset substantially one-half the width of one of said fragments from the longitudinal axes of the fragments in said primary base row of fragments; and, d. Each of the remainder of said annular rows of fragments is circumferally offset an amount such that the longitudinal axis of each of said fragments is disposed to be offset from the longitudinal axis of the next adjacent of said fragments in the next adjacent of said annular rows of fragments a distance substantially equal to a fraction of the width of one of said fragments represented by one over the number of said annular rows of fragments in the same direction that said secondary base row of fragments is offset in relation to said primary base row of fragments.

Claim 5

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 2 having an odd number of said annular rows of fragments and wherein said circumferal offset of the longitudinal axes of said fragments in each of said annular rows in relation to the longitudinal axes of said fragments in the next adjacent of said annular rows is according to a pattern wherein: a. The most central of said annular rows of fragments is designated as the primary base row of fragments; b. One of the next adjacent of said annular rows of fragments to said primary base row of fragments is designated as the secondary base row of fragments; c. The longitudinal axes of the fragments in said secondary base row of fragments are circumferally offset substantially one-half the width of one of said fragments from the longitudinal axes of the fragments in said primary base row of fragments; and, d. Each of the remainder of said annular rows of fragments is circumferally offset an amount such that the longitudinal axis of each of said fragments is disposed to be offset from the longitudinal axis of the next adjacent of said fragments in the next adjacent of said annular rows of fragments a distance substantially equal to a fraction of the width of one of said fragments represented by one over the number of said annular rows of fragments in the same direction that said secondary base row of fragments is offset in relation to said primary base row of fragments.

Claim 6

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fragments are of substantially trapezoidal shape in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said fragments.

Claim 7

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosing means includes a hollow cylindrical thin inner member disposed contiguous to said annular structure of fragments.

Claim 8

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fragments are attached to said inner member.

Claim 9

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fragments are bonded one to another.

Claim 10

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fragments are welded one to another at their ends.

Claim 11

A controlled fragmentation warhead as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said annular rows of fragments is separated from the next adjacent annular row of fragments by annular spacer means.