Missile Warheads Research Articles

Strategic Uses of Poison in Ancient Times According to Ayurved

Abstract: In both ancient Samhitas and contemporary texts, poisoning is thoroughly discussed. Collective use of poison for mass destruction has been going on since ancient times. In ancient times, food, water and atmosphere etc. were contaminated by using poison (Samrika Vish Prayog) etc. to win over the enemy. At present, the form of this poison has taken the form of various types of chemical weapons and nuclear weapons, which, if used, leads to mass destruction of the enemy army in a very short time. A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) It is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological or other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans or cause great damage. For personal gain throughout ancient times, the Visha was blended with food, beverages, and cosmetics. Chemical weapons are chemical agents, whether gaseous, liquid, or solid, those are employed because of their direct Toxic effects on humans, animals, and plants. They inflict damage when inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested in food or drink. Chemical agents become weapons when they are placed into artillery shells, land mines, aerial bombs, missile warheads, mortar shells, grenades, spray tanks, or any other means of delivering the agents to designated targets.

A new physical pattern – consistency of the factor of dynamic relations between velocity vector modulus and longitudinal acceleration of missile warheads

The paper describes the existing problems in determination of all scheduled evaluations of missile warhead performance during flight tests and puts forward one of the possible methods of problem solving. Besides, the paper gives the results of investigation of the properties of the factor of dynamic relations between the velocity vector modulus and longitudinal acceleration of missile warheads within the atmospheric passive flight leg – the dynamic relation factor is constant in different flight test conditions. The notion of the reference dynamic relation factor is reasonably introduced for both parameters under study in order to provide reliable determination of parameter estimates, and hence, to conduct a complete analysis of experimental launch results.

Cool your jets: Some perspective on the hyping of hypersonic weapons

ABSTRACTRussia, China, and the United States are in a race to develop and deploy hypersonic glide weapons. Hypersonic vehicles are defined as moving at a speed greater than five times the speed of sound. The US Defense Department has claimed these weapons will provide revolutionary new capabilities and will present daunting new threats against which there is currently no effective defense. Such claims have been repeated with little skepticism in the public and trade press. Many of the claims made for hypersonic weapons are, however, overstated and much of what they can do could be accomplished more easily and cheaply using better-established technology, typically via the modification of ballistic missile warheads.

Novel Classification Algorithm for Ballistic Target Based on HRRP Frame

Nowadays, the identification of ballistic missile warheads in a cloud of decoys and debris is essential for defense systems in order to optimize the use of ammunition resources, avoiding to run out of all the available interceptors in vain. This paper introduces a novel solution for the classification of ballistic targets based on the computation of the inverse Radon transform of the target signatures, represented by a high-resolution range profile frame acquired within an entire period of the main rotation of the target. Namely, the precession for warheads and the tumbling for decoys are taken into account. The pseudo-Zernike moments of the resulting transformation are evaluated as the final feature vector for the classifier. The extracted features guarantee robustness against target's dimensions and rotation velocity, and the initial phase of the target's motion. The classification results on simulated data are shown for different polarizations of the electromagnetic radar waveform and for various operational conditions, confirming the validity of the algorithm.

The modern naval fortress: an additional sea denial option for coastal states

As fixed facilities, naval fortresses seem unlikely to be important in a sea denial strategy which is usually about mobility, but new defence technologies and the changing geostrategic environment may revive the concept of the fortress. Extended ranges of anti-ship means allow onshore firepower to engage enemies over distance, even beyond the economic exclusive zones where most maritime territorial disputes occur. In the face of size limits on missile warheads that constrain their destruction of hardened targets, various active and passive defence technologies against missiles can enhance the survivability of onshore fortresses. Furthermore, onshore locations give fortresses the advantage of being unsinkable and able to accommodate greater energy and firepower capacity in contrast to vessels, as well as other mobile platforms. The onshore nature of fortresses also gives a different political meaning to being attacked, for the clear violation of sovereignty, as opposed to vessels and aircraft in a disputed space. However, the fact those fortresses are not invincible means cooperation with other existing capabilities still necessary. The case of Vietnam demonstrates how fortresses could strengthen the inferior defence capability of a coastal state vis-à-vis. a stronger sea power.

On Model, Algorithms, and Experiment for Micro-Doppler-Based Recognition of Ballistic Targets

The ability to discriminate between ballistic missile warheads and confusing objects is an important topic from different points of view. In particular, the high cost of the interceptors with respect to tactical missiles may lead to an ammunition problem. Moreover, since the time interval in which the defense system can intercept the missile is very short with respect to target velocities, it is fundamental to minimize the number of shoots per kill. For this reason, a reliable technique to classify warheads and confusing objects is required. In the efficient warhead classification system presented in this paper, a model and a robust framework is developed, which incorporates different micro-Doppler-based classification techniques. The reliability of the proposed framework is tested on both simulated and real data.

Methods of objects’ radar-location signature decrease and their employment in missile warheads

Analysis of existent methods of decrease of objects’ line of sight has been conducted. Means of decrease of radar line of sight of missile warheads have been chosen and grounded.

Assessment of Long Range Laser Weapon Engagements: The Case of the Airborne Laser

This article presents a method developed to assess laser Directed Energy Weapon engagements. This method applies physics-based models, which have been validated by experiments. It is used to assess the capabilities of the Airborne Laser (ABL), a system for boost phase missile defense purposes, which is in development under supervision of the U.S. missile defense agency. Implications for international security are presented. The article begins with a general introduction to laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW). It is notable that several laser directed energy weapon prototypes have recently become operational for testing. One of them is the ABL, a megawatt-class laser installed into a cargo aircraft. It is concluded that only the ABL could have significant political impact on an international scale at the moment. Hence, the remainder of the article focuses on the assessment of that system. The laser intensity, the induced temperature increase of a target and the impact of this temperature increase on the mechanical properties of the target are calculated for different scenarios. It is shown that the defensive capability of the ABL against ballistic missiles is limited. Even a successful laser engagement that deflects a missile trajectory from its intended target can have negative impact for third parties, as missile warheads will most likely not be destroyed.

Optimal Interception of Evasive Missile Warheads: Numerical Solution of the Differential Game

The problem of interception of a ballistic missile warhead by a defending missile is formulated as a differential game. Each missile is given a modest postlaunch capability to maneuver. Interception concludes the game and occurs if the interceptor reduces the distance between it and the warhead to a specified value. The objective of the warhead is to minimize the final distance to the target, which lies on the Earth's surface but is not necessarily collocated with the interceptor launch site. The objective of the interceptor is to maximize this same distance at the capture time. Saddle-point equilibrium solutions are found using a recently developed, direct numerical method that nevertheless uses the analytical necessary conditions to find the optimal control for one of the players. The method requires an initial guess of the solution, and this is provided by generating an approximate solution using genetic algorithms. For initial conditions yielding eventual capture, we derive the necessary condition that the saddle-point trajectories terminate on the usable part of the terminal hypersurface; this condition is shown to have an interesting physical interpretation. The numerical method successfully finds the saddle-point trajectories and is used to determine the sensitivity of the value of the game to the capability of the interceptor, for design purposes, and also to gauge the robustness of the numerical method for the solution of this dynamic game.

Water Barrier Ship Self Defense Lethality

ABSTRACTThe Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division has investigated technology for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) that has the potential to be very effective in defending Navy platforms against high‐speed, sea‐skimming anti‐ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). This technology uses a new kill mechanism, a wall of water, to provide a low cost, universal terminal defense system for Navy ships. The Water Barrier or wall of water is generated from the shallow detonation of multiple underwater explosive charges to protect the ship from attacking sea skimmers. This terminal defense concept can be employed to slow or stop debris and warhead fragments from missiles killed at short range to preclude significant damage to own ship. Furthermore, the Water Barrier would defeat the fuzing and structure of ASCMs that have penetrated the inner self‐defense layer.This paper describes the Water Barrier Concept that provides terminal defense for Navy ships, the formation of the wall of water that defeats sea skimming ASCMs, and the field tests that demonstrate the viability of the concept. Finally, this paper documents the 1997 field test results that demonstrate the lethality of the Water Barrier against tactical battlefield missile warheads and structures.

Estimation of Target Damage due to Submunition Type Missile Warheads using Simulation Model Technique

The damage analysis of two targets due to submunition-type missile warheads has been studied. The paper discusses (a) damage to a battlefield (comprising army personnel, tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soft-skinned vehicles) due to bomblet-type warhead and (b) the denial of an airfield comprising runway tracks inclined to each other due to blast-cum-earth shock (BCES) type of warheads. Simulation technique has been used in both the cases. In addition, a mathematical model has been discussed in the second case to compare the results of the simulation model. For comparison, A particular methodology for checking the denial criterion called conventional methodology has been used Later, a new methodology has been incorporated for checking the denial criterion in the simulation model. A mathematical formulation of the new methodology has also been given.

The Legality of the 1993 US Missile Strike on Iraq and the Right of Self-Defence in International Law

In the early evening hours of Saturday, 26 June 1993, the United States launched a missile attack on Iraq. Twenty-three Tomahawk sea-to-ground missiles were fired from two US warships, the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Peterson, located in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea respectively.1Sixteen of those launched hit their desired military target, the Military Intelligence Headquarters, situated just outside the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. A further four missiles fell within the compound of the intelligence service complex. Conflicting reports put the death toll at between six and eight civilians, with 20 injured, when the remaining three missile warheads went astray.2The Venezuelan Embassy was also reported to have been damaged.3

Design Philosophy of variable Mass Preformed Fragmented Missile Warhead

Fragment hit density and hit probability of the warhead are the critical parameters in the selection of a preformed fragment-type missile warhead against ground targets. Hence these factors are to be maximised. The parametric studies of these factors have lead to a new concept of variable mass preformed fragmented (VMPF) warhead. A philosophy was evolved for the VMPF-type missile warheads. A computer software for generating the external configuration of the VMPF-type missile warhead was developed and basic algorithm is discussed in this paper. With this new design approach, the fragment hit density and hit probability were improved considerably in the shorter ranges, when compared to that of a uniform mass preformed fragmented warhead of conventional design.

Design Optimisation of Parachute Sequencer Mechanism

Fragment hit density and hit probability of the warhead are the critical parameters in the selection of a preformed fragment-type missile warhead against ground targets. Hence these factors are to be maximised. The parametric studies of these factors have lead to a new concept of variable mass preformed fragmented (VMPF) warhead. A philosophy was evolved for the VMPF-type missile warheads. A computer software for generating the external configuration of the VMPF-type missile warhead was developed and basic algorithm is discussed in this paper. With this new design approach, the fragment hit density and hit probability were improved considerably in the shorter ranges, when compared to that of a uniform mass preformed fragmented warhead of conventional design.

Application of Computer Graphics to Performance Studies of Missile Warheads

Intercept geometry of target aircraft and missiles play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the warhead. Factors such as fragment spatial distribution profile, damage capabilities, target and missile characteristics have been considered and visualised through computer graphics and optimum intercept intercept angles have been arrived. Computer graphics has proved to be an important tool to enhance perception and conceptual design capabilities in the design environment.

Verified elimination of nuclear warheads

No nuclear warheads have yet been eliminated by treaty. This paper examines possibilities for verified dismantlement and elimination of nuclear warheads as called for by possible future nuclear disarmament treaties. After warheads have been removed from missiles, the INF treaty allows each country to retain them, without restrictions.1 According to present expectations similar conditions will apply to the START treaty now under negotiation to reduce numbers of Soviet and American deliverable strategic ballistic missile warheads by half. Nevertheless, given recent advances in cooperative methods verification, as well as progress in technical capabilities of detection and monitoring, it is reasonable to hope and expect that dismantlement of nuclear warheads, not just the means for their delivery, will be called for sometime in the future. This possibility has prompted a number of studies.2 The principal focus of this paper is on procedures to verify that warheads specified by treaty for elimination are, in fact, completely dismantled, their components rendered useless for construction of new warheads, and the contained fissile materials placed under international safeguards or disposed of in such a manner as to make them unusable in weapons.

Equalizing superpower force disparities with optimized arms control choices: A multi-objective approach

Reductions in strategic nuclear weapons for the two superpowers are examined using multi-objective linear programming. A window is postulated of allowable numbers of weapons in each of three categories: equivalent warheads, throw weight, and missile warheads. Weapons levels are generated via linear programming which minimize the maximum differences, across basing modes, between the arsenals of the two superpowers. Compromise solutions, in which the two arsenals look very much alike, are found.

DOD Takes Long View of Missile Defense

An effective defense to protect the territory of the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missile warheads is very far off in the future. Such a defense is certainly not attainable within five years or so using today's technology, as its more strident advocates within Congress and the defense establishment claim. And it may turn out not to be feasible at all, despite a massive commitment of scientific and technological resources to explore possible approaches. This is one rather unexpected conclusion that can be drawn from Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger's 1984 report to Congress. The 297-page document, submitted last week, seeks to explain to a deficit-conscious legislature the need for a proposed 18% one-year increase in defense spending for fiscal 1985—a boost that includes a 26% increment for defense-related R&D funding. On other topics of interest to the scientific and chemical communities the report indicates that: • The Soviet Union's defenserelated R&D effort ...