Computational Technique to Assess Warhead Lethality against Ballistic Missile
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper addresses a computational procedure to assess the lethality of kinetic energy projectile warheads against tactical ballistic missile payloads with an innovative and rational damage metric. The individual lethality of different projectile geometries impacting at hypervelocity at different configurations is estimated via a numerical damage index computed from hydrocode simulations. The highest count of possible impacts to the payload is achieved by optimizing the warhead’s configuration and time of detonation, a priori knowledge of the target’s location and speed. The total damage to the payload characterizes the warhead’s lethality for the particular engagement conditions. An example shows the application of the process and potential advantages.
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Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge the support of the research by the Missile Defense Agency and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant No. USAFOSRF49620-02–1-0076 (Dr. Arje Nachman, AFOSR program manager). A special acknowledgment to Luis Espino for documenting the results during his graduate research.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 4 • October 2009
Pages: 354 - 364
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 4, 2007
Accepted: Jun 11, 2008
Published online: Sep 15, 2009
Published in print: Oct 2009
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