Simplified Approach to Velocities of Axial Forward Projection Fragments from the End of a Warhead

A warhead with axial forward projection fragments is one of the most important forms of aimable warheads. For such warheads the axial forward projection fragments are placed at the end of the explosive charge and form a fragment beam with high fragment density and high speed by the blast, which will obviously increase the damage to the targets. Experimental data showed that the velocities of the forward projection fragments on the convex end of a warhead which was initiated at the opposite end do not match that predicted by the Gurney equation for cylindrical warheads. A new approach for addressing the velocities of fragments of this kind of warhead is proposed. Two limiting conditions are defined, i.e. for fragment on the circumference of a cylindrical charge and fragments on the end of cylindrical charge, respectively.