Warheads

Different tactical requirements demand different types of rocket warheads be used with airborne rockets.

Warheads are classified as either 2.75 inch or 5.0 inch warheads. They may be further classified as high-explosive, flechette, smoke, flare, or practice. Warheads for 2.75-inch rockets are normally received with the fuzes installed.

There are many different warheads, fuzes, and motor combinations available. Therefore, the following discussion is general. For specific component information, you should refer to Airborne Rockets, NAVAIR 11-85-5.

High-explosive warheads contain high-explosive material (generally comp-B) surrounded by a metal case. An internally threaded nose fuze cavity permits the installation of a nose fuze or an inert nose plug, depending on tactical requirements. Some warhead configurations require the use of a base fuze. Base fuzes are installed at the factory and should never be removed. High-explosive warheads are painted olive drab and may have a narrow yellow band around the nose.

There are several types of high-explosive warheads, and each is designed for a specific type of target.

HE-FRAG WARHEADS.- High-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warheads (fig. 2-12) are

Figure 2-12.-High-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warheads.

^{Table 2-1.-Service Warheads}

Figure 2-13.-Mk 5 Mod 0 high-explosive antitank warhead.

Figure 2-14.-Mk 32 Mod 0 AT/APERS warhead.

Figure 2-15.-Mk 24 Mod 0 high-explosive, general-purpose (GP) warhead.

the jet from the cone at the forward end. The booster in the aft end detonates the warhead by transmitting an explosive impulse along a length of detonating cord. It connects the booster charge to the initiating charge, which is next to the nose fuze. The combination of an instantaneous-acting nose fuze and rapid-burning detonating cord permits detonation of the explosive load in time for the shaped-charge to produce its explosive jet before being disintegrated upon target impact. The only AT/APERS warhead currently in use is the Mk 32 Mod 0.

GP WARHEAD.- The high-explosive, generalpurpose (GP) warhead (fig. 2-15) is a compromise between the armor-piercing and the fragmentation designs. The walls and nose section are not as strong as those of an armor-piercing warhead, yet they are stronger than those of a fragmentation warhead. The explosive charge is greater than that in the armor-piercing warhead, but less than that in the fragmentation warhead.

The GP warhead is used against a variety of targets. Maximum penetration is obtained by using a solid nose plug and the delayed-action base fuze. Its maximum blast effect is obtained by using an instantaneous-acting nose fuze. The only GP warhead currently in use is the Mk 24 Mod 0.

FLECHETTE WARHEADS.- Flechette warheads (fig. 2-16) are used against personnel and light

Figure 2-16.-WDU-A/A flechette warhead.

armored targets. These warheads contain a large number of small arrow-shaped projectiles. A small explosive charge in the base fuze of the warhead dispenses the flechettes through the nose of the warhead after rocket motor burnout. Target damage is caused by impact of the high-velocity flechettes.

SMOKE WARHEADS.- Smoke warheads (fig. 2-17) are used to produce a volume of heavy smoke for target marking. The warhead contains a burster tube of explosives, usually comp-B, which bursts the walls of the warhead, dispersing the smoke. These warheads are designated SMOKE, followed by the abbreviation for the smoke producing agent it contains. For example, WP for white phosphorus, or PWP for plasticized white phosphorus. The types of smoke warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-1.

FLARE WARHEADS.- Flare warheads (fig. 2-18) are used to illuminate tactical operations. They consist of a delay-action fuze, an illuminating candle, and a parachute assembly. The fuze ignites the expelling charge, which separates the case from the candle and parachute assembly. The wind stream forces the parachute open, suspending the burning candle. The only flare warhead currently in use is the Mk 33 Mod 1.