Method of neutralising ground ordnance

Abstract

A method of neutralising ground ordnance, the method comprising: providing a missile device ( 10 ) comprising a longitudinally extending body ( 12 ) defining a fore and an aft region and a casing ( 18 ) which houses an explosive material; penetrating the ground with the missile device in the vicinity of the ground ordnance; and initiating the explosive material. The explosive material is such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance.

1 . A method of neutralising ground ordnance, the method comprising:
 providing a missile device comprising a longitudinally extending body defining a fore and an aft region and a casing which houses an explosive material;   penetrating the ground with the missile device in the vicinity of the ground ordnance; and   initiating the explosive material,   wherein the explosive material is such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles, wherein the step of initiating the explosive material facilitates creation of linear projectiles. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles, wherein the linear projectiles are formed from the casing. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles, wherein the casing has shaping features in the form of longitudinal grooves that create the linear projectiles when the explosive material is initiated. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein initiating the explosive material causes the casing to expand along its radial axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles, wherein the linear projectiles separate component parts of the ground ordnance in their path. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method including the step of creating linear projectiles wherein the linear projectiles move in front of a blast wave generated by the initiation of the explosive material. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the linear projectiles move in front of a blast wave generated by the initiation of the explosive material, wherein the blast wave separates the component parts of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein initiation of the explosive material produces gaseous initiation products comprising one or more of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapour nitrogen and oxides of nitrogen, such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein rapid expansion of the gaseous initiation products causes the formation of a crater in the ground and expels component parts of the ground ordnance from the ground. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive material comprises a strong oxidising material, such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive material comprises a perchlorate, such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive material is a low explosive material such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein initiation of the explosive material produces gaseous initiation products comprising one or more of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapour nitrogen and oxides of nitrogen, and the volume of gaseous initiation products is greater than or equal to 1 cubic centimetre per gram of explosive material and such that initiation of the explosive material avoids sympathetic initiation of the ground ordnance. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the casing is filed with the explosive material immediately prior to use of the missile device. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method includes the step of launching the missile device towards the ground. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating the explosive material is after the step of penetrating the ground with the missile device. 
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aft region of the missile device is moveably coupled to a first driving plate for receiving a launching force and transmitting the launching force to the longitudinally extending body to propel the longitudinally extending body towards the ground. 
     
     
         24 - 29 . (canceled)