Jan 27, 2026

US12535304 - Multiple shaped charge jet (SCJ) warhead

In a MSCJ warhead detonation of the main charge is controlled to provide elevated pressure at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of SCJs. An initiation system is configured for multi-point initiation of a plurality of booster charges to detonate the main charge to produce a plurality of detonation waves that constructively interfere at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to form pressure hot spots that cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of SCJs. In different embodiments, the elevated pressures are between 110% and 200% of the detonation pressure at the front of an individual detonation wave. The liner may, for example, include a plurality of recesses such as shallow dimples or deeper conical structures in which case the boosters are aligned to the center of the recessed structures.

Assignee: Raytheon Company
Inventors: Coulton T. Sadler, Brian J. Lukow, Christopher M. Turner, Michael R. Johnson
Filing date: 2024-06-13

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The patent describes a multiple shaped charge jet (MSCJ) warhead that utilizes a controlled detonation of a main charge to create elevated pressure at various locations on the liner’s back surface, resulting in the formation and propulsion of multiple shaped charge jets (SCJs). The warhead features an initiation system for multi-point initiation of booster charges, which generates constructive interference of detonation waves to enhance the cutting of the liner.

Claim 1

1 . A warhead having a height H 1 along an axis and a diameter D 1 , comprising: a main charge; a liner on a top surface of the main charge; a plurality of booster charges spaced apart on a bottom surface of the main charge; and an initiation system configured for multi-point initiation of the plurality of booster charges to detonate the main charge to produce a plurality of detonation waves; wherein the liner is positioned within a defined range from the plurality of booster charges equal to a height H 2 of the main charge along the axis in which 0.3<=H 1 /D 1 <=0.6 such that pairs of directly adjacent detonation waves constructively interfere to form elevated pressures at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of shaped charge jets (SCJs). a main charge; a liner on a top surface of the main charge; a plurality of booster charges spaced apart on a bottom surface of the main charge; and an initiation system configured for multi-point initiation of the plurality of booster charges to detonate the main charge to produce a plurality of detonation waves; wherein the liner is positioned within a defined range from the plurality of booster charges equal to a height H 2 of the main charge along the axis in which 0.3<=H 1 /D 1 <=0.6 such that pairs of directly adjacent detonation waves constructively interfere to form elevated pressures at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of shaped charge jets (SCJs).

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12535304

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12535304