Tactical Missile Warheads

By marrying warhead fundamentals with more modern design approaches, this book will assist new members of the warhead community to learn more rapidly, as well as provide a reference text for those working actively in the field. The book's chapters are each self-contained articles; however, the topics are linked and may be divided into three groups. The first group provides a broad introduction, as well as four fundamental technology areas, namely, explosives, dynamic characterization of materials, explosive-metal interaction physics, and hydrocodes. The second group presents the mechanics of three major types of warheads, shaped charges, explosively formed projectiles, and fragmentation warheads. The interaction with various types of targets is also presented. The third group addresses test methodology. Flash radiography and high-speed photography are covered extensively, especially from an applications point of view. Special methods are also presented, including the use of tomographic reconstruction of flash radiographs and the use of laser interferometry. The book is intended for warhead designers, as well as engineering managers and project managers who manage warhead, munitions, and missile development projects.