Annular blast
An annular blast warhead (AB warhead) is a special form of fragmentation warhead that is primarily used in anti-aircraft and air combat missiles . In contrast to conventional fragmentation warheads, here the effect is bundled in the plane (and in the case of further developed models also in the direction of) the target, which results in a donut-shaped scattering pattern. As a result, with the same warhead size, a higher destructive effect is achieved or, with a given effect, a small design of the warhead and thus of the carrier system is possible.
classification
While the designation originally only referred to warheads with a ring-shaped scattering effect, it is now generally also used for further developed warheads in which additional, targeted bundling of the fragmentation effect is achieved through structural measures. In the sense of the definition, other fragmentation charges with a radial effect (for example in jumping mines ) would also count among the AB warheads, but the term appears in the literature practically without exception in connection with anti-aircraft and air combat missiles.
Structure and functionality
Directivity through shaping
In their original form, the warheads achieve a radial scattering effect by appropriately shaping the explosive core and the fragmentation jacket surrounding it. In the simplest form, the jacket of a cylindrical explosive core is covered with preformed splinters or consists of a pre-fragmented material. As a result, after the detonation, the fragment cloud spreads radially to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
Selective ignition directivity
The warhead is shaped as above, but instead of a single central detonator with several detonators that are arranged radially and can be triggered separately. Depending on the starting point, the detonation wave and thus the fragment cloud then spreads asymmetrically in the form of an ellipse . However, this requires the use of ignition systems that can determine not only the distance to the target, but also its position in relation to the warhead.
Directivity through deformation
In this most advanced variant, the directional effect is improved by a targeted deformation of the warhead before the actual detonation. For this purpose, this is covered on the outside with additional explosive slats, each with its own detonator. If the lamella facing the target detonates, the warhead is flattened at this point. In connection with the selective ignition of the main charge, this means that (analogous to the M18 Claymore directional mine, for example ) when the actual explosive device detonates, a large part of the fragments is accelerated in this direction. Both explosions take place in direct succession.
use
The warhead type was or is used in the following missiles, among others:
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AIM-120 AMRAAM
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AIM-9 Sidewinder (from version AIM-9L)
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MIM-104 Patriot
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MICA
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IRIS-T
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9M82 guided missile of the S-300W system
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48N6DM guided missile of the S-300P system