US 12,072,171 B1
Prefragmented warheads with enhanced performance
Gabriel J. Bonnstetter, Maple Grove, MN (US); Richard M. Truitt, Champlin, MN (US); and Reid W. Wagnild, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/125,796.
Application 18/125,796 is a continuation of application No. 17/460,678, filed on Aug. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,614,311, issued on Mar. 28, 2023.
Application 17/460,678 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/873,516, filed on Apr. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,105,596, issued on Aug. 31, 2021.
Application 16/873,516 is a continuation of application No. 15/466,476, filed on Mar. 22, 2017, granted, now 10,634,472, issued on Apr. 28, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/311,737, filed on Mar. 22, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/120,968, filed on Dec. 3, 2020.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F42B 12/32 (2006.01); F42B 12/56 (2006.01); F42B 33/02 (2006.01); B29C 39/02 (2006.01); B29C 39/10 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29K 705/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC F42B 12/32 (2013.01) [F42B 12/56 (2013.01); F42B 33/0214 (2013.01); B29C 39/021 (2013.01); B29C 39/10 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29K 2705/00 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7772 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An explosive device having fragments with enhanced acceleration and velocity upon explosion of the warhead, the warhead having a layer of smaller fragments positioned between a layer of larger fragments and an explosive material, volumetrically, the mean size of the smaller fragments is less than the mean size of the larger fragments, and wherein no explosive material is positioned between the layer of smaller fragments and the layer of larger fragments, whereby, upon an explosion of the explosive material, the smaller fragments and larger fragments coalesce providing an enhanced dynamic containment of expanding gases of the explosion increasing the pressure of the explosion and the kinetic energy of the fragments.