Efficiency analysis of a fragmentation warhead against soft targets

Abstract

The efficiency of the weapon system has been usually studied by altering the guidance and control or aerodynamics of the missile. This research investigated methods of enhancing the efficiency of the weapon system against soft targets based on the fragmentation warhead design. Different warhead geometric configurations, initiation points, as well as premade fragment material and shapes have been studied to enhance overall weapon efficiency against soft target. The study considered the static fragment distribution and velocity as the base for the analysis. A new vulnerability code has been developed based on the mean area of effectiveness to prove the study using both simulations and field tests. There were significant improvements on the weapon efficiency by altering the warhead parameters. The simulated results showed good correspondence with the test results. The newly developed vulnerability code can be considered as an additional system engineering analysis tool for the calculations of weapon efficiency.