Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead

Introduction/purpose: Rockets with high-explosive (HE) warheads are the most numerous type used for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). They are used for a wide range of combat tasks. Besides other design characteristics, the effect on the target depends on the position where detonation is initia...

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Main Authors: Jovica Đ. Bogdanov, Mihailo M. Marinković, Branislav M. Jovanović, Zoran J. Bajić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Defence in Belgrade 2025-01-01
Series:Vojnotehnički Glasnik
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Online Access:https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?artid=0042-84692501282B
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author Jovica Đ. Bogdanov
Mihailo M. Marinković
Branislav M. Jovanović
Zoran J. Bajić
author_facet Jovica Đ. Bogdanov
Mihailo M. Marinković
Branislav M. Jovanović
Zoran J. Bajić
author_sort Jovica Đ. Bogdanov
collection DOAJ
description Introduction/purpose: Rockets with high-explosive (HE) warheads are the most numerous type used for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). They are used for a wide range of combat tasks. Besides other design characteristics, the effect on the target depends on the position where detonation is initiated in their explosive charge. The study analyses the fragmentation effects of steel balls from the 128 mm M77 HE warhead with the standard point-detonating (PD) fuze and with a differently positioned detonating assembly. Methods: The study uses a simple numerical model for the assessment of the fragmentation effect, which requires modest resources. A numerical model of the fragmentation effect was used with Gurney’s model of explosive propulsion and Taylor’s and Shapiro’s method for the direction of the fragment velocity vector. The penetration ability of projected steel balls through hard homogenous steel was analysed using the Project Thor analytical model of kinetic energy projectile penetration. Results: The results indicate that a change in the position of the initiation point can improve the fragmentation effect of steel balls. The most significant improvement is increased fragment dispersion, causing much larger fragment impact zones. A modest increase in the fragment velocity is observed as well, mainly because the direction of the fragment velocity vector is changed. Also, the penetration ability of both types of steel balls at distances up to 50 m is sufficient for the anti-personnel role, while larger steel balls have anti-material capabilities as well. Conclusion: Changing the fuze on high-explosive warheads in order to change the position of the initiation point can be used to improve the fragmentation effect.
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issn 0042-8469
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spelling doaj-art-6d43d3ef14e8468381112604cd7672222025-02-07T11:39:44ZengUniversity of Defence in BelgradeVojnotehnički Glasnik0042-84692217-47532025-01-0173128229910.5937/vojtehg73-55292Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warheadJovica Đ. Bogdanov0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7995-3004Mihailo M. Marinković1https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3752-8093Branislav M. Jovanović2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7998-8415Zoran J. Bajić3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8492-3333University of Defence in Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of SerbiaMilitary AcademyMilitary AcademyMilitary Academy, Department of Military Chemical EngineeringIntroduction/purpose: Rockets with high-explosive (HE) warheads are the most numerous type used for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). They are used for a wide range of combat tasks. Besides other design characteristics, the effect on the target depends on the position where detonation is initiated in their explosive charge. The study analyses the fragmentation effects of steel balls from the 128 mm M77 HE warhead with the standard point-detonating (PD) fuze and with a differently positioned detonating assembly. Methods: The study uses a simple numerical model for the assessment of the fragmentation effect, which requires modest resources. A numerical model of the fragmentation effect was used with Gurney’s model of explosive propulsion and Taylor’s and Shapiro’s method for the direction of the fragment velocity vector. The penetration ability of projected steel balls through hard homogenous steel was analysed using the Project Thor analytical model of kinetic energy projectile penetration. Results: The results indicate that a change in the position of the initiation point can improve the fragmentation effect of steel balls. The most significant improvement is increased fragment dispersion, causing much larger fragment impact zones. A modest increase in the fragment velocity is observed as well, mainly because the direction of the fragment velocity vector is changed. Also, the penetration ability of both types of steel balls at distances up to 50 m is sufficient for the anti-personnel role, while larger steel balls have anti-material capabilities as well. Conclusion: Changing the fuze on high-explosive warheads in order to change the position of the initiation point can be used to improve the fragmentation effect.https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?artid=0042-84692501282Bwarheaddetonationfragmentationexplosive propulsion
spellingShingle Jovica Đ. Bogdanov
Mihailo M. Marinković
Branislav M. Jovanović
Zoran J. Bajić
Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
Vojnotehnički Glasnik
warhead
detonation
fragmentation
explosive propulsion
title Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
title_full Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
title_fullStr Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
title_full_unstemmed Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
title_short Numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high-explosive rocket warhead
title_sort numerical study on the influence of the initiation point position on the fragmentation effect of a high explosive rocket warhead
topic warhead
detonation
fragmentation
explosive propulsion
url https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?artid=0042-84692501282B
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AT branislavmjovanovic numericalstudyontheinfluenceoftheinitiationpointpositiononthefragmentationeffectofahighexplosiverocketwarhead
AT zoranjbajic numericalstudyontheinfluenceoftheinitiationpointpositiononthefragmentationeffectofahighexplosiverocketwarhead