Assessing Expected Fractional Damage of Above-ground Buildings from Air-to-surface Weapons based on Indirect Fire Concept

Jong Yil Park

doi:10.14429/dsj.60.571

Jong Yil Park Agency for Defense Development at Weapon Effectiveness and Target Vulnerability Group, Republic of Korean

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.571

Keywords: Weaponeering, air-to-surface, joint munitions effectiveness manuals, expected fractional damage, air-to-surface weapons

Abstract

For the expected fractional damage of building targets from air-to-surface weapons, the US has used the JMEM/AS method, which is based on the direct-fire concept. However, the damage redistribution assumption in the direct-fire concept could induce serious errors in damage estimation of building targets. In this paper, a method for the expected fractional damage of building targets is proposed based on the indirect-fire concept. From the proposed model, it is shown that the joint munitions effectiveness manuals/air-to-surface (JMEM/AS) method is not appropriate for building targets, especially for attacks with multiple aiming points. It is recommended that the indirect-fire concept should be adopted for weaponeering even for air-to-surface weapons. fire concept could induce serious errors in damage estimation of building targets. In this paper, a method for the expected fractional damage of building targets is proposed based on the indirect-fire concept. From the proposed model, it is shown that the JMEM/AS method is not appropriate for building targets, especially for attacks with multiple aiming points. It is recommended that the indirect-fire concept should be adopted for weaponeering even for air-to-surface weapons.

Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(5), pp.491-496, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.571

Author Biography

Jong Yil Park, Agency for Defense Development at Weapon Effectiveness and Target Vulnerability Group, Republic of Korean

He has received his MS and PhD from the Department of Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA. He joined Agency for Defense Development at Weapon Effectiveness and Target Vulnerability Group, Republic of Korean, in 2006. He has been working on damage analysis and protective design of structures, such as buildings, bunkers, bridges, and tunnels under explosive loading.