ES3042301T3 - Multi-effect tandem charge - Google Patents

Abstract

A precursor charge (6) for a tandem weapon (2) with a main weapon (4) comprises a casing (12) containing explosive (14), a projectile element (28) for launching an armor-piercing projectile (30), and a fragmentation element (16) for forming and launching a concentrated burst (18) of multiple fragments (20), wherein the radial velocity (VR) of the fragments is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity (VA). A tandem weapon (2) comprises the precursor charge (6) and the main weapon (4). In a method for engaging a target (40), a tandem weapon (2) is fired at the target (40), and at a specific instant (t2) before impact, its precursor charge (6) is activated, thereby launching a projectile (30) and fragments (20) as a concentrated burst. Each beam (18) is sent ahead of the main agent (2) in the flight direction (10) towards the target (40). The beam (18) is focused, giving the fragments (20) a radial velocity (VR) of at most one-fifth of their axial velocity (VA). (Automatic translation using Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Multiple-effect tandem warhead

[0005] The invention relates to a tandem warhead, e.g., ammunition, comprising a main warhead, e.g., a main charge, and a precursor charge. The precursor charge, or components thereof, e.g., a projectile or a beam/tip formed from a coating, propels the main warhead toward the target when the ammunition is deployed. An example of a tandem warhead is known from document DE 3920015 C.

[0007] EP 3 171 121 A1 describes how to clear a trajectory using explosive reactive armor (ERA) in the case of a close-range attack on an armored vehicle. In this case, an EFP (explosive penetrator) beam or tip from a rear warhead follows a precursor beam, generated by a transformable warhead, which cleared the ERA in the path of the attacking penetrator. The objective of the present invention is to propose improvements to this precursor charge.

[0009] The problem is solved by means of a tandem warhead according to claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, as well as other categories of the invention, result from the additional claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0011] The invention herein relates to a planned tandem warhead comprising a main warhead and a precursor charge. "Planned" means that the precursor charge is technically (i.e., with respect to the entire tandem warhead, including the precursor charge) and/or structurally adapted to a specific tandem warhead/main warhead or of a specific type and is designed for use therein; e.g., it is designed to the geometric requirements adapted thereto, etc. In other words, it is assumed that the tandem warhead/main warhead in question is known in terms of its geometry/properties, etc.

[0013] The precursor charge extends along a longitudinal axis. The charge is designed to be installed, as intended, in a flight direction coincident with the longitudinal axis of the tandem warhead, forward of its main warhead. In an as-intended assembly or when the charge is employed in the tandem warhead, a complete tandem warhead is formed, in which the charge is disposed forward of the main warhead—viewed in the intended flight direction of the tandem warhead. Furthermore, the charge is incorporated into the main warhead/tandem warhead, in particular, into the main warhead or into a common support of the tandem warhead.

[0015] The precursor charge contains a casing, as well as explosives arranged within the casing. In particular, the casing defines the outer geometric shape of the precursor charge and/or acts as a housing for the other components of the precursor charge.

[0017] The precursor charge also contains a projectile medium incorporated within the casing. The projectile medium is designed—in cooperation with the explosive—to eject an armor-piercing projectile upon detonation of the explosive. This occurs in such a way that the projectile is ejected along the longitudinal axis in the intended flight direction of the main warhead and, consequently, of the precursor charge, and immediately thereafter—after emission—precedes the main warhead. “Precedes” means that it moves at a higher velocity than the main warhead and departs from the main warhead at a differential velocity in the flight direction.

[0019] The precursor charge also contains a fragmentation means. This is also incorporated into the casing. The projectile means is designed—also in cooperation with the explosive—to form and emit a focused burst of shrapnel when the explosive detonates. The fragmentation burst in this case is a burst consisting of a plurality of fragments and may also be referred to as a fragmentation cloud. The burst also precedes—correspondingly to the projectile—the main effector after formation and emission in the direction of flight. The focusing of the burst is achieved as follows: The radial velocity of the fragments is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity ("radial/axial" refers to the longitudinal direction and thus to the direction of flight). In particular, the radial velocity is at most one-tenth, one-twentieth, one-fifth, or one-hundredth of the axial velocity. The velocity distribution is achieved through design features of the precursor charge, as explained later. In other words, the burst thus forms a cloud of fragments that precedes the main effector.

[0020] In particular, during the conversion of the explosive, explosive fragments/elements with other velocity characteristics may also be created, which, however, do not count as part of the burst.

[0022] As fragment material, consideration is given in particular, alongside conventional iron and non-iron alloys, to materials that react reactively when interacting with an effector/defense body emitted by an active target protection system and that release not only kinetic energy, but also other forms of energy such as, e.g., heat or pressure.

[0024] The explosive is, in particular, one with a high detonation velocity to achieve high projectile/fragment velocities.

[0025] The relatively high axial velocity results in a highly concentrated burst/cloud of fragments, which moves essentially along the longitudinal axis or flight direction ahead of the main warhead and is only slightly divergent. In other words, it results in a concentration of fragments along the longitudinal axis/flight direction.

[0027] The projectile medium is, in particular, a projectile forming medium, in particular a shaped projectile forming charge. The differential velocities of the projectile and the burst with respect to the main warhead may be different, but in particular they are the same - within the correspondingly usual tolerances.

[0029] A "precursor" charge results from the fact that both the projectile and the fragments "precede" the main warhead.

[0030] A corresponding armor-piercing projectile can be detonated at a distance of approximately 10–15 m ("safety distance") from a target. A warhead that, instead of a projectile, operates, e.g., with a shaped charge tip, must, on the contrary, be detonated at a maximum distance/dead point of approximately 1 m from the target. This alone results in a larger dead point for the precursor charge proposed here.

[0032] The projectile can produce a first effect, namely, the penetration of armor, for example, the frontal armor/reactive armor of an armored target. The fragments create another effect, namely, the destruction/inactivation/neutralization of effectors that the target opposes/directs against the approaching tandem effector as an active protection measure. In this respect, the proposed precursor charge has a multifaceted effect.

[0034] The invention is therefore based, in particular, on the fact that the target or its defense system/active protection system for protection against the tandem warhead consists of ballistic defense mechanisms. The effectors are designed to defend against approaching active means/munitions by activating/neutralizing them upon impact at a safe distance from the target.

[0036] According to the invention, a multi-effect precursor charge with an increased safety distance for overcoming active protection systems is thus obtained. Therefore, a precursor charge (also called a "precursor warhead") with an increased safety distance for effective tandem systems (tandem warheads) is obtained, enabling the overcoming of active protection systems of heavily armored targets by destroying the incoming effectors of the active protection systems with a concentrated spray of fragments before they reach the effective target of the main effective means (main charge) of the tandem warhead (tandem warhead). The invention thus allows the overcoming of active protection systems with fired effectors.

[0038] The invention is based on the idea of creating a technical solution to overcome active protection systems. The invention is based on the knowledge that the possibilities known to date in practice comprise the following: To circumvent active protection systems, it is possible to exploit blind spots in the protection zone of the systems. It is also possible to increase the approach speed of friendly/attacking effectors (warheads) to reduce the reaction time available to the active protection system.

[0040] The invention is based on the following basic idea: The precursor charge is based on a precursor with a greater separation distance due to the projectile, especially a projectile-forming charge. In the event of the explosive reaction in the charge, a cloud/burst of fragments is released or generated simultaneously with the projectile, particularly from the casing and/or structural fragments integrated for this purpose. The fragments (burst/cloud) are generated in vectorial addition with the projectile velocity (original velocity of the entire tandem warhead) as a burst of fragments strongly focused in the direction of firing (longitudinal axis/direction of flight). The burst, together with the ejected/resulting projectile of the tandem warhead, precedes the undetonated portion (main warhead) of the tandem active system/medium. The burst of fragments in this case acts as a protective shield, destroying or displacing incoming effectors flying from active protection systems before they can reach critical proximity to the main warhead of the tandem action system. The fragments are tailored—particularly in their spatial distribution, mass, and/or velocity—so that they are unsuitable for engaging the actual hardened/armored target, but can strike and destroy incoming effectors (fired by the target's active protection system toward the incoming tandem warhead) with the highest possible probability.

[0041] According to the invention, the effect of the precursor charge is thus amplified with a greater safety distance (projectile medium) into a shrapnel effect (fragment medium), which, compared to the natural fragmentation effect, is specifically adapted in terms of effective range and fragment performance so that it is suitable for countering the effectors of active protection systems. In the general concept of a tandem active system (tandem warhead) with such a precursor (charge), the ability to overcome active protection systems with fired effectors is thus achieved.

[0043] The invention is particularly suitable for a tandem warhead in the form of a direct-fire guided munition with an active tandem precursor charge/main warhead system.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the fragmentation means contains a fragmentation insert having the form of a cylindrical envelope with respect to the longitudinal axis and/or being disposed in particular on an inner surface of the envelope.

[0046] This results, on the one hand, in a radial fragmentation insert. On the other hand, this particularly reinforces the outer casing or envelope and forms radially protruding fragments with a defined mass and geometry. The embodiment can occur as a pre-fragmented body or as loose individual fragments. The fragments of the radial fragmentation insert are designed (mass/size) such that they receive a relatively low radial velocity component due to the detonation of the explosive and, in addition, vectorially with the velocity of movement (before the explosive reacts) of the entire tandem warhead, receive a strongly forward flight direction (after the explosive reacts) (as mentioned above, the radial/axial velocity distribution of the fragments).

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the fragmentation means comprises a fragmentation body in the form of a circular ring extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. This results in an axial fragmentation body. This body is positioned, particularly with respect to the longitudinal axis, on the front side of the precursor charge, which is pointed as intended in the flight direction (viewed from the "front") and serves to generate a fragmentation effect directed along the longitudinal axis of the charge/flight direction. The embodiment may occur as a pre-fragmented body or as loose individual fragments. The fragmentation body is designed, especially at the interface with the explosive, such that the acceleration during detonation occurs along the longitudinal axis of the charge without significant dispersion (radial velocity of the fragments much lower than their axial velocity, e.g., by a factor of 1/100, 1/1000, or even less).

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the projectile medium contains a casing that forms the projectile in the form of a disc extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The casing is, in particular, a flat/dome-shaped/conical metallic casing, which is released as an attached projectile when the explosive is detonated. The casing thereby forms the projectile to impact the target or its frontal/reactive armor.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of this form, the disc is arranged concentrically within the fragmentation body mentioned above in the form of a circular ring. The liner (disc) and the fragmentation body (circular ring) thus form a continuous overall disc in the same axial position (longitudinal axis), which in particular closes the precursor charge forward—viewed in the longitudinal or intended flight direction. This creates a particularly advantageously packed precursor charge.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the projectile means and the fragmentation means are coordinated with each other such that the projectile precedes the burst or cloud of fragments or moves with them in the forward direction of flight. Therefore, the projectile will not be hindered or disturbed in its flight toward the target by any collision between fragments and effectors of the target's active protection system, since it will have already passed the relevant collision zone.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the precursor charge is round, particularly circular, and specifically rotationally symmetric in cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis. This applies especially to its outer contour. This allows for particularly good integration with the main warhead or the tandem warhead, which is also typically round or circular. This applies, in particular, to the circular form, especially in the form of tandem munitions/warheads for firing from circular gun barrels.

[0058] The tandem warhead according to the invention contains the precursor charge, as well as the main warhead explained in this context, wherein the precursor charge or the precursor is arranged as provided in a flight direction of the tandem warhead that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the tandem warhead ahead of the main warhead.

[0060] The tandem warhead and at least some of its possible embodiments, as well as the respective advantages, have already been explained in relation to the precursor charge.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, a transverse extension, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in particular an outer diameter of the precursor charge, corresponds to that, in particular the caliber, of the main warhead, in particular the entire tandem warhead, or the corresponding ammunition. In this way, a particularly uniform tandem warhead is formed.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the main warhead contains a main charge. As described above, the main charge can utilize the fragmentation burst to evade the target's active defenses; as well as being used to fire the projectile past the target's frontal/reactive armor.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the main warhead contains a shaped charge. This is particularly effective against certain heavily armored targets. Specifically, the projectile medium contains a relatively small shaped charge, as does at least part of the projectile medium for the projectile configuration; the main warhead is a larger, relatively large, shaped charge to actually engage the target. If the active protection measure has been repelled by the fragmentation burst and the projectile has been able to penetrate the frontal armor of the target, the main warhead can be directed at the target, which is now either unprotected or protected only by its main armor. This can then be overcome by the main warhead, so that the main warhead engages the target.

[0067] The problem of the invention is also solved by a method according to claim 11 for engaging a target with the aid of the tandem warhead according to the invention. The method in this case is based on the fact that the tandem warhead contains a main warhead and a precursor charge. The precursor charge, in turn, contains a projectile medium which, upon initiation, emits an armor-piercing projectile. The precursor charge also contains a fragmentation medium which, upon initiation, emits fragments in the form of a focused burst. Initiation is, in particular, the aforementioned reaction of an explosive in a precursor charge. For the fragments in the burst, as explained above, their maximum radial velocity is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity; therefore, the fragments in the burst are assigned a corresponding velocity.

[0069] In this procedure, the tandem warhead is fired toward the target. At a predetermined moment, before the tandem warhead reaches the target, the precursor charge is initiated, specifically by detonating the explosive it contains. This propels the projectile from the propellant medium and the burst fragments from the fragmentation medium toward the target, each ahead of the main warhead in the flight direction.

[0071] The procedure and at least some of its possible embodiments, as well as the respective advantages, have already been explained in relation to the precursor charge according to the invention and the tandem warhead according to the invention.

[0073] Timing refers specifically to the moment when the tandem warhead reaches a certain distance from the target. Such a distance can be detected particularly easily and accurately and is therefore especially suitable as an activation criterion for the initiation described above.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the chosen time is the moment when an active defense system of the target that emits a defense body toward the munition detects the munition or emits at least one defense body. The moment therefore corresponds, in particular, to the moment when the tandem warhead reaches/passes a detection point of the active defense system. In this way, particularly effective defense against the effectors emitted by the target is achieved.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the timing is chosen so that the burst impacts defense bodies at a distance from the primary warhead that is greater than the effective range of the defense bodies. Thus, at the moment the defense bodies are destroyed by the burst, the primary warhead is outside the effective range of the defense bodies and cannot be affected or destroyed by them. The effective range also includes, in this case, the effects arising from the combat/destruction of the defense bodies by the fragments. In other words, the defense bodies are attacked at a safe distance from the primary warhead. It is assumed that the defense bodies and their behavior when attacked by the fragments are known.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the time is chosen as the time at which the tandem warhead is between 5 and 25 meters, particularly between 10 and 15 meters, and specifically 12.5 m ahead of the target. In practice, these distances have proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0081] The following applies generally to the present invention: The design details of the precursor charge and/or the main warhead or tandem warhead depend largely on the potential target to be attacked or its expected properties. In particular, this refers to the properties of its armor (main/frontal/reactive armor) and the active protection system. The aforementioned design relates, among other things, to the choice of materials, dimensions, geometries of the precursor charge, number, size, and nature of the fragments, the projectile used, the explosive, the design of the casing, etc. Therefore, the corresponding values depend on the intended use of the charge/tandem warhead and may or should be individually adapted and determined, for example, by testing, empirical considerations, estimations, etc., within the framework of standard designs.

[0083] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, or considerations and further presents the following embodiments. In this case, the embodiments are also referred to as "the invention" for a simplified purpose. The embodiments may also contain parts or combinations of the embodiments mentioned above and/or may also include embodiments not mentioned above.

[0085] The present invention may be summarized as follows: The invention comprises, in particular, the extension of an armor-piercing explosive charge (tandem warhead) with a greater safety distance (achieved by means of the projectile-forming charge as a projectile means) by means of an additional effect in the form of a directed and focused fragment burst, which is not intended to combat the armored target itself, but is designed with respect to fragment density, fragment mass, and fragment velocity to eliminate the effectors of active protection systems fired by the target.

[0087] By using such an explosive charge (explosive agent and fragmentation medium) as a precursor within a tandem warhead consisting of a precursor charge and a main charge (main warhead), the capability is created to simultaneously overcome reactive armor of the target (projectile target position) with the initiation of the precursor charge, as well as to further disable existing active protection systems, whose effectors are fired in the direction of the approaching tandem warhead.

[0088] The function and effect of the invention can be summarized as follows: If the precursor is initiated at a greater distance from the target, it releases an armor-piercing projectile, as well as a burst of fragments that precede the portion of the tandem warhead that has not yet been initiated. The projectile-forming charge in this case has the purpose of penetrating the existing reactive armor, while the burst of fragments acts as a protective shield for the slower-flying main warhead and destroys all effectors in the main warhead's flight path. This ensures that the main warhead can engage the unprotected main armor of the target.

[0090] Other features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as well as from the accompanying figures. These figures are shown in each case in a schematic diagram:

[0092] Figure 1, a tandem ogive according to the invention,

[0094] Figure 2, the tandem warhead according to the invention when used in a procedure to combat a target.

[0095] Figure 1 shows a tandem warhead 2, which contains a main warhead 4, herein referred to only symbolically as a main charge, as well as a precursor charge 6 permanently incorporated into the main charge. The precursor charge 6, the main warhead 4, and the tandem warhead 2 all share and extend along the same longitudinal axis 8. An intended flight direction 10 of the tandem warhead 2 coincides with the longitudinal axis 8 and is indicated in Figure 1 by an arrow. Viewed from the flight direction 10, the precursor charge 6 is incorporated forward of the main warhead 4. The flight direction 10 is the direction in which the tandem warhead 2 flies during its intended use or operation.

[0097] Charge 6 features a casing 12 that is filled with explosive 14. The ignition of the explosive 14 is symbolically represented by an arrow 15. A fragmentation means 16 is incorporated into the cartridge 12. This means is designed to form a focused burst 18 composed of a plurality of fragments 20 during the reaction of the explosive 14, which precedes the main warhead 4 in the flight direction 10. Figure 1 shows four such fragments 20 as examples.

[0099] The velocity V of a respective fragment 20 is composed of two components, namely, the axial velocity VA parallel to the flight direction 10 and the radial velocity VR located radially. The axial velocity VA contains, in turn, as its first term, the current basic velocity V0 of the tandem warhead 2 at the time of the reaction of the explosive 14 and, consequently, also of the precursor charge 6 and the fragments 20 before or during the reaction of the explosive 14. To this is added, as its second term, an additional axial velocity imparted to the fragments 20 by the reaction of the explosive 14, which leads to the axial velocity VA, which is greater than the basic velocity V0. The radial velocity VR is imparted to the fragments 20 also by the reaction of the explosive 14. The precursor charge 6 is dimensioned with respect to the explosive strength of the explosive 14 in coordination, among other things, with the materials and geometry of the fragmentation medium 16 and the casing 12 such that the radial velocity VR here is only one-twentieth of the axial velocity VA. The relationships are represented qualitatively in Figure 1.

[0101] The fragmentation medium 16 is composed of two components. On one side, it contains a fragmentation insert 22. This insert has the form of a cylindrical shell with respect to the longitudinal axis 8 and is arranged on an inner surface 24 of the shell 12, oriented radially inwards. On the other side, the fragmentation medium 16 contains a fragmentation body 26, which has the form of a circular ring 27 and runs concentrically and transversely to the longitudinal axis 8. The circular ring 27 therefore extends in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis 8.

[0103] The precursor charge 6 also contains a projectile half 28, which is also incorporated into the casing 12. It is designed to launch an armor-piercing projectile 30 in the reaction of the explosive 14, which then—like the fragments 20 in the burst 18—precedes the main warhead 4 in the flight direction 10. Projectile 30 is symbolically indicated in Figure 1. Projectile 30 also has an axial velocity VA, which is composed of the basic velocity V0 of the projectile half 28, as the first term, and an additional velocity imparted by the reaction of the explosive 14, as the second term. In this case, the axial velocities VA of both the fragments 20 and the projectile 30 are equal.

[0105] In this case, the projectile medium 28 contains a casing 32 that forms the projectile 30. This is configured here - analogously to the fragmentation body 26 - as a disk 33 running transversely to the longitudinal axis 8. The disk 33 is arranged in this case concentrically within the circular ring 27; the fragmentation body 26 and the casing 32 are therefore in the same axial position about the longitudinal axis 8 and together form a continuous front side 34 of the precursor charge 6.

[0107] The projectile means 28 is thus arranged / fixed / held in the envelope 12 by means of a part of the fragmentation means 16, i.e., the fragmentation body 26.

[0109] The entire precursor charge 6 is round in cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis 8, here being circular in shape. In the tandem warhead 2, a transverse extension Q, transverse to the longitudinal axis 8, here a diameter, corresponds to the precursor charge 6 and to that of the main warhead 4. The main warhead 4 contains a main charge 36, indicated here only symbolically, which in turn contains a shaped charge 38.

[0110] Figure 2 shows—in a highly symbolic way—the use of the tandem warhead 2 from Figure 1 against a target 40, here a battle tank, which is equipped with both frontal armor 42, here reactive armor, in front of main armor 43, and an active protection system not shown in greater detail. Figure 2 thus shows a combat scenario with the tandem warhead 2 with the precursor charge 6, with an increased safety distance (thanks to the projectile 30) and an expanded range (burst 18 of fragments 20). Upon detecting the attacking tandem warhead 2, the active protection system of target 40 sends ballistic defense bodies 44 in the direction of the tandem warhead 2 to intercept it. Figure 2 symbolically shows only one of the defense bodies 44.

[0112] At time t1, the tandem warhead 2 has already been fired or launched towards target 40 and is in flight towards target 40 along the flight direction 10, which coincides with its longitudinal axis 8. Therefore, the tandem warhead 2 is flying towards target 40.

[0114] At a later time t2, the tandem warhead 2 initiates its precursor charge 6 (indicated by a star). In this case, initiation occurs through the detonation of explosive 14. This initiates fragmentation mechanism 16 to release fragments 20 and projectile mechanism 28 to form and release projectile 30. Time t2 is chosen in this case by the tandem warhead 2 so that it is the moment when the active protection system of target 40 has detected the tandem warhead 2 and initiates its countermeasure, i.e., the deployment of defense elements 44 towards the tandem warhead 2. At time t2, the tandem warhead 2 is at the so-called detection point 48 of target 40, i.e., at the distance from target 40 at which the active protection system detects the tandem warhead 2 and initiates the countermeasure (deployment of defense elements 44).

[0116] At a later time t3, the consequence of the ignition of the precursor charge 6 can be observed:

[0118] Both projectile 30 and burst 18 (indicated here by dashed lines) of fragments 20 (four pieces are shown representatively) now precede the main warhead 4 in the flight direction 10. It can be recognized here that the projectile means 28 and the fragmentation means 16 are coordinated with each other in such a way that projectile 30 does not precede burst 18, but moves with burst 18 at the most forward front portion 46 of the burst as seen in the flight direction 10. The defense body 44 is meanwhile moving in the opposite direction to the flight direction 10 towards the remaining main warhead 4 of the tandem warhead 2. Projectile (P-charge) 30, together with a dense burst (of fragments) 18, precedes the main charge 36 (main warhead 4) and passes the point of impact (point of interception). 50) of the active protection system of target 40. The main charge 36 is approaching the rendezvous point (interception point 50). Interception point 50 is the distance from target 40 at which the defense body 44 is, as planned, to impact the main warhead 4 and intercept/destroy/neutralize it (see moment t5, below).

[0120] However, at a later time t4, the preceding burst 18 of fragments 20 and defense body 44 collide. Defense body 44 is either destroyed or intercepted by fragments 20, which is again indicated by a star. Projectile 30 has meanwhile passed interceptor body 44. Burst (of fragments) 18 thus reaches the effector (defense body 44) of the active protection system before reaching the rendezvous point (interception point 50). The effector (defense body 44) is destroyed by burst (of fragments) 18.

[0122] This avoids the following situation, which should have occurred at a later time t5 as planned, which is why it is only indicated by dashed lines in Figure 2. The purpose of the active protection system for target 40 would be, namely, for the defense body 44 and the main warhead 4 to collide at the interception point 50 and for the main warhead 4 to be destroyed by the defense body 44; again indicated symbolically by a star. In this way, the main warhead 4 would no longer be able to reach target 40. In fact, however, the defense body 44 has already been destroyed at the earlier time t4, and the effects of the destruction have diminished—at a sufficient distance from the main warhead 4. The main warhead 4 can continue flying toward target 40 unimpeded. Thanks to the successful defense of defense body 44 by burst 18, the main warhead 4 is meanwhile really approaching target 40.

[0123] At a later instant t6, projectile 30 reaches target 40 and pierces its frontal armor 42 and thereby prepares a path 52 for the main warhead 4 through the frontal armor 42 in or along the flight direction 10.

[0124] Again, at a later time t7, the main warhead 2 then hits target 40 or its main armor 43 on the path 52 through the destroyed or withdrawn frontal armor 42 there, can overcome it and eventually act against target 40, again indicated by a star.

[0126] As a result, projectile (P-charge) 30 successfully hits target 40 at time t6 and can act against frontal armor 42. Target 40 is now either unprotected or protected only by its main armor 43 and main charge 36 can act against the main armor 43 of target 40 at time t7.

[0127] List of reference symbols

[0129] 2 tandem warhead

[0130] 4 Main ogive

[0131] 6 precursor charge

[0132] 8 longitudinal axis

[0133] 10 flight direction

[0134] 12 wrapper

[0135] 14 explosive

[0136] 15 arrow

[0137] 16 fragmentation medium

[0138] 18 burst

[0139] 20 fragment

[0140] 22 fragmentation insertion

[0141] 24 interior surface

[0142] 26 fragmentation body

[0143] 27 circular ring

[0144] 28 projectile medium

[0145] 30 projectile

[0146] 32 coating

[0147] 33 disc

[0148] 34 front side (precursor load)

[0149] 36 main load

[0150] 38 hollow load

[0151] 40 objective

[0152] 42 frontal armor

[0153] 43 main armor

[0154] 44 defense corps

[0155] 46 front

[0156] 48 detection point

[0157] 50 interception point

[0158] 52 way

[0159] V speed

[0160] V0 basic speed

[0161] VA axial speed

[0162] VR radial speed

[0163] Q transverse extension

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1. Tandem warhead (2) with a precursor charge (6) and with a main warhead (4), - wherein the precursor charge (6) extends along a longitudinal axis (8) and is intended to be incorporated ahead of the main warhead (4) of the tandem warhead (2) in a flight direction (10) coincident with the longitudinal axis (8), where the precursor load (6) presents: - a wrapper (12), - an explosive (14) arranged in the wrapper (12), characterized by the fact that the precursor feces present: - a projectile means (28) attached to the casing (12) that is designed to emit an armor-piercing projectile (30) preceding the main warhead (4) in the flight direction (10) when the explosive (14) is detonated, - a fragmentation means (16) incorporated into the envelope (12) that is designed to emit a focused burst (18) based on a plurality of fragments (20) during the reaction of the explosive (14) and that precedes the main warhead (4) in the flight direction (10), wherein the burst (18) is focused so that a radial velocity (VR) of the fragments is at most one-fifth of their axial velocity (VA). 2. Tandem warhead (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fragmentation means (16) contains a fragmentation insert (22) having the shape of a cylindrical envelope with respect to the longitudinal axis (8) and/or being arranged in particular on an inner surface (24) of the envelope. 3. Tandem ogive (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fragmentation means (16) contains a fragmentation body (26) having the shape of a circular ring (27) running transversely to the longitudinal axis (8). 4. Tandem warhead (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projectile medium (28) contains a coating (32) forming the projectile (30) in the form of a disc running transversely to the longitudinal axis (8). 5. Tandem ogive (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the disc (33) is arranged concentrically within the circular ring (27). 6. Tandem warhead (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projectile means (28) and the fragmentation means (16) are coordinated with each other in such a way that the projectile (30) precedes the burst (18) or moves with its frontmost front part (46) in the flight direction (10). 7. Tandem warhead (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the precursor charge (6) is constituted in a round cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis (8). 8. Tandem warhead (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transverse extension (Q) transverse to the longitudinal axis (8) of the precursor charge (6) corresponds to that of the main warhead (4). 9. Tandem warhead (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main warhead (4) contains a main charge (36). 10. Tandem warhead (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the main charge (36) contains a hollow charge (38). 11. A method for attacking a target (40) with the aid of a tandem warhead (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a main warhead (4) and a precursor charge (6) which in turn comprises a projectile means (28) that, upon initiation, emits an armor-piercing projectile (30) and a fragmentation means (16) that, upon initiation, emits fragments (20) in the form of a focused burst (18), wherein: - the tandem warhead (2) is fired at the target (40), - at a certain moment (t2) before impact on the target (40), the precursor charge (6) is initiated, whereby the projectile (30) and the fragments (20) are emitted as a focused burst (18) that precedes in each case the main warhead (2) in the flight direction (10) towards the target (40), - in which the burst (18) is focused, imparting to the fragments (20) a radial velocity (VR) of at most one fifth of their axial velocity (VA). 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the chosen moment is the moment when an active defense system of the target that emits a defense body towards the ammunition detects the ammunition or emits at least one defense body. 13. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the moment is chosen so that the burst impacts defense bodies at a distance from the main warhead that is greater than the effective range of the defense bodies. 14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the chosen moment is the moment when the tandem warhead is between 5 and 25 meters in front of the target.