Mar 3, 2026

US12566052 - Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead

In a MEFP 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 EFPs. 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 EFPs. 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, be a flat plate or a include a plurality of dimples in which case the boosters are aligned to the center of the dimples.

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

explosiveswarheadmilitary

The patent describes a Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead that utilizes a controlled detonation of a main charge to create pressure hot spots on a liner, resulting in the formation and propulsion of multiple EFPs. An initiation system enables multi-point initiation of booster charges to generate constructive interference of detonation waves, enhancing the effectiveness of the warhead.

Claim 1

1 . A warhead, 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 that constructively interfere at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs); wherein pairs of directly adjacent detonation waves produce the multiple locations in a non-planar wave within a distance range from the plurality of booster charges, wherein the liner is positioned within that distance range, wherein beyond that range interference of the plurality of detonation waves would form a plane wave. 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 that constructively interfere at multiple locations on the back surface of the liner to cut the liner and to form and propel forward a plurality of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs); wherein pairs of directly adjacent detonation waves produce the multiple locations in a non-planar wave within a distance range from the plurality of booster charges, wherein the liner is positioned within that distance range, wherein beyond that range interference of the plurality of detonation waves would form a plane wave.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12566052

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12566052