Weapon Optimization Techniques
The investigation established the techniques to evaluate the lethality of blast/fragmentation, continuous rod, and submissile warheads when deployed against airborne targets and the lethal area of flechette-projecting warheads deployed against standing, prone or foxholed troop concentrations.
Abstract
Abstract : The investigation established the techniques to evaluate the lethality of blast/fragmentation, continuous rod, and submissile warheads when deployed against airborne targets. A computer program was developed which is capable of optimizing warhead design parameters and terminal encounter conditions or of parametrically examining the effect on lethality of design and encounter variables against any air target. In addition, a second computer program was developed to compute the lethal area of flechette-projecting warheads deployed against standing, prone or foxholed troop concentrations. The program simulates the actual flechette trajectories to properly account for the effects of gravity, and establishes the lethal area by integrating kill probability over the impact pattern area. Sections I through IV contain the air encounter optimization computer program. Sections V through VIII contain the documentation for the flechette lethal area program, and modifications to a previously developed surface targets weapon optimization lethal area program.