Design Philosophy of variable Mass Preformed Fragmented Missile Warhead

  • K.P.S. Murthy Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
  • K. Rama Rao Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
  • M.R. Patkar Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
Keywords: Fragment hit density, VMPF type missile warheads

Abstract

Fragment hit density and hit probability of the warhead are the critical parameters in the selection of a preformed fragment-type missile warhead against ground targets. Hence these factors are to be maximised. The parametric studies of these factors have lead to a new concept of variable mass preformed fragmented (VMPF) warhead. A philosophy was evolved for the VMPF-type missile warheads. A computer software for generating the external configuration of the VMPF-type missile warhead was developed and basic algorithm is discussed in this paper. With this new design approach, the fragment hit density and hit probability were improved considerably in the shorter ranges, when compared to that of a uniform mass preformed fragmented warhead of conventional design.

Author Biographies

K.P.S. Murthy, Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
Mr KPS Murthy is working as a Scientist in ARDE, Pune in the field of design and development of missile warheads. He is specialised in production science and technology and has served as Production and Assembly-in-Charge in a reputed machine building industry for about two years before joining ARDE.
K. Rama Rao, Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
Mr K Rama Rao has worked in India Meteorological Department for about six yea rs in the fields of synoptic and upper air meteorological analysis before join ing ARDE, Pune wher e he is now  working as a Scien tist. He has twelve years of experi ence in the field of armam ents with special reference to ballistics and met ballistics.Currently he is working in the field of design and performance analysis of warheads for different missile systems . He has published about 15 research papers.
M.R. Patkar, Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune
Mr MR Patkar is working in the field of armaments for the last 20 years with special reference to warhea ds for guided missiles. He has specialised in air target warhe ads and had training in the field of warhead technology in West Germany.
Published
2013-01-01
How to Cite
Murthy, K., Rao, K., & Patkar, M. (2013). Design Philosophy of variable Mass Preformed Fragmented Missile Warhead. Defence Science Journal, 42(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.42.4346
Section
Armaments & Explosives