Kinetic energy rod warhead with self-aligning penetrators

Abstract

A kinetic energy rod warhead with self-aligning penetrators includes a plurality of rods, an explosive for deploying the rods, and a detonator for detonating the explosive. A stabilizer is attached to all or selected rods for aligning said rods to strike a target at an optimal strike angle.

1 . A kinetic energy rod warhead with self-aligning penetrators, the warhead comprising: 
 a plurality of rods;    an explosive for deploying the rods;    a detonator for detonating the explosive; and    a stabilizer attached to all or selected rods for aligning said rods to strike a target at an optimal strike angle.    
   
   
       2 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 1  in which the stabilizer is foldable for storage.  
   
   
       3 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 2  in which the stabilizer is expandable upon deployment.  
   
   
       4 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 3  in which the stabilizer includes drag flaps attached at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       5 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 4  in which said drag flaps are made of spring steel.  
   
   
       6 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 3  in which the stabilizer includes a parachute attached at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       7 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 3  in which the stabilizer includes a flare attachment connected at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       8 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 3  in which the stabilizer includes streamers attached at or proximate a distal end of rod.  
   
   
       9 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 8  in which the streamers are made of plastic.  
   
   
       10 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 9  in which the streamers are several feet long.  
   
   
       11 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 1  in which the rods are lengthy cylindrical members.  
   
   
       12 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 1  in which the rods are made of tungsten.  
   
   
       13 . A kinetic energy rod warhead with self-aligning penetrators, the warhead comprising: 
 a plurality of rods;    an explosive for deploying the rods;    a detonator for detonating the explosive; and    a stabilizer foldable for storage and expandable upon deployment attached to all or selected rods for aligning said rods to strike a target at an optimal strike angle.    
   
   
       14 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 13  in which the stabilizer includes drag flaps attached at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       15 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 14  in which said drag flaps are made of spring steel.  
   
   
       16 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 13  in which the stabilizer includes a parachute attached at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       17 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 13  in which the stabilizer includes a flare attachment connected at or proximate a distal end of the rod.  
   
   
       18 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 13  in which the stabilizer includes streamers attached at or proximate a distal end of rod.  
   
   
       19 . The kinetic energy rod warhead of  claim 18  in which the streamers are made of plastic.  
   
   
       20 . A kinetic energy rod warhead with self-aligning penetrators, the warhead comprising: 
 a plurality of rods;    an explosive for deploying the rods;    a detonator for detonating the explosive; and    a spring steel drag flap stabilizer foldable for storage and expandable upon deployment attached to all or selected rods for aligning said rods to strike a target at an optimal strike angle.