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Overview

Modern missile and guided munition systems frequently require a variety of devices and assemblies to deploy aerodynamic components (such as guidance fins), remove protective covers (such as IR dome removal), sever structural panels (for submunition deployment), or for other events. Pyrotechnic and explosive components are widely used to meet these requirements. EBA&D has supported several missile and munitions programs in the past for these applications.

Application

There are many applications where pyrotechnic systems are used for dispense and release in modern missile systems.

Fin-Restraint Release Devices — utilize pyrotechnic and explosive charges to fracture bands or straps used to restrain fins or similar aerodynamically loaded surfaces.

Piston Actuators — utilize a pyrotechnic charge to push a piston, high forces can be generated to provide near instantaneous actuation of dome covers, wings, or similar structural components.

Frangible Fin Release Devices — utilize pyrotechnic and explosive charges to fracture bands or straps used to restrain fins or similar aerodynamically loaded surfaces.

Core Bursters — are used to apply a radial acceleration to packaged submunitions. This approach is preferred for ruggedized submunitions requiring a large distribution area.

Skin Severance Systems — use energetic components to cut structural panels of the missile to allow deployment of submunitions. This can can be effectively accomplished with a Linear Shaped Charge (LSC) cutting system and associated initiation hardware.

Design Considerations

There are several considerations that go into the design of components used for release and dispense in tactical weapon applications.

Insensitive Munition (IM) performance is increasingly becoming a consideration in the design of all military energetic systems. Proper and careful determination of system safing architecture and the use of IM compliant components containing all secondary explosives is required to meet this requirement.

With a drive to increase weapon system range and lethality, size and weight of release and dispense components is becoming more critical. Explosive and pyrotechnic components typically offer high reliability, low weight solutions due to their inherently high energy density.

Speed of response is also a critical parameter for these types of applications. Frequently, millisecond or sub-millisecond accuracy is required to achieve optimum performance. Pyrotechnic and explosive components can provide much quicker and repeatable response than standard mechanical components.