Continuous-rod warhead

A Continuous -rod warhead ( CR warhead ) is a special form of a splinter warhead with a directional effect, which was developed in the 50s of the 20th century. He was practically used exclusively in air defense and air combat missiles. In some cases, the alternative designation " Expanding Rod " is used in the literature.

Construction

The warhead consists of an even number of steel rods that are placed around a cylindrical core and mutually welded together so that the result is a continuous chain. The interior of the cylinder is filled by removal of the core with explosives.

Bundles, mutually welded

After the explosion, expanding bundle

Operation

Upon detonation of the explosive, the rods are circular accelerates outwards. Since these are made of ductile material than both are also connected to each other, they unfold it and it creates a closed " bar ring " which expands at high velocity perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the warhead. If the circumference of the rod ring is greater than the total length of the rods forming it, he is torn into individual fragments. However, these are rapidly decelerated due to their relatively low mass by air resistance and hardly deliver.

A Continuous -rod warhead, particularly when used against aircraft significantly more effective than conventional splitter warheads, because the relatively sensitive target object is not only damaged, but is practically cut. This was offset by higher demands on ignition and steering systems of the carrier system, since the effectiveness of a disk-shaped area is bounded perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the warhead. To minimize this, modern warheads often have multiple bar layers which act in different directions and having different radii of expansion.

Use

The warhead was or is including in the following rockets used:

  • United States AIM-9 Sidewinder ( AIM -9H up version )
  • United States AIM -7 Sparrow
  • United States RIM -8 Talos
  • Russia AA -12 Adder / R -77
  • Russia AA -11 Archer / R -73 Wympel
  • Russia AA -10 Alamo / R -27
  • Russia SA -15 Gauntlet / Tor 9K33x
  • Russia SA -19 Grissom / Tunguska M-1
  • Russia SA -22 Greyhound / Panzir -S1
Ductility Tor missile system Bristol Bloodhound
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