How does a shaped charge warhead work?
A shaped charge is a concave metal hemisphere or cone (known as a liner) backed by a high explosive, all in a steel or aluminum casing. A detonator is activated to initiate the explosive material to generate a detonation wave. This wave collapses the liner and a high velocity metallic jet is formed.
How does a shaped charge work?
The shaped charge was an explosive formed into a hollow cone and lined with heavy metal; upon detonation, the explosive gases and molten metal formed a high-velocity jet capable of punching through armour.
What is warhead explosive charge?
Types of warheads include: Explosive: An explosive charge is used to disintegrate the target, and damage surrounding areas with a blast wave. Shaped charge: The effect of the explosive charge is focused onto a specially shaped metal liner to project a hypervelocity jet of metal, to perforate heavy armour.
What does a shape charge look like?
A shaped charge is usually a conical shape, as shown in Fig. 25.3. The explosive charge is often contained in a plastic tube whose upper part looks like a cylinder and whose lower part ends at a cone of metallic liner.
Do torpedoes use shaped charges?
The common term in military terminology for shaped-charge warheads is high-explosive anti-tank warhead (HEAT). HEAT warheads are frequently used in anti-tank guided missiles, unguided rockets, gun-fired projectiles (both spun and unspun), rifle grenades, land mines, bomblets, torpedoes, and various other weapons.
Is an RPG a shaped charge?
The RPG warhead being used against tanks and other armor often has a shaped charge explosive warhead. A shaped charge is an explosive charge shaped to focus the effect of the explosive’s energy. These warheads are affixed to a rocket motor and stabilized in flight with fins.
What type of explosive is used in missiles?
Ammonium Perchlorate
AP is used as both a propellant in solid fuel rocket and missile motors and as a high explosive in bombs, but its use outside of air weapons training is limited to ground burst and grenade simulators….Energetic Compounds.
| Abbrev | Name | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| AP | Ammonium Perchlorate | Rockets, Missiles, Bombs, Simulators |
Who invented shaped charges?
Shaped charge warheads were promoted internationally by the Swiss inventor Henry Mohaupt, who exhibited the weapon before World War II. Before 1939, Mohaupt demonstrated his invention to British and French ordnance authorities.
What explosive is used in shaped charges?
Explosive charge For optimal penetration, a high explosive with a high detonation velocity and pressure is normally chosen. The most common explosive used in high performance anti-armor warheads is HMX (octogen), although never in its pure form, as it would be too sensitive.
Do shaped charges work underwater?
When fired under water, a Linear Shaped Charge (LSC) does not penetrate a steel target as well as in air. This lack of performance has been a problem for shaped charge manufacturers and their clients.