Accession Number:

AD0328081

Title:

The Feasibility of a Passive Electrostatic Fuze for Antimissile Missiles

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

HARRY DIAMOND LABS ADELPHI MD

Personal Author(s):

• Krupen, Philip

Report Date:

1958-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

The small permissible error in the instant of detonation of an antimissile missile imposes a stringent accuracy requirement on any proximity fuze proposed for this application. A study was made that indicates a passive electrostatic fuze would be feasible for the purpose. Proper operation of such a fuze depends on the targets being electrically charged and is independent of the angle or speed of closing between the 2 missiles. Computations were made which show that functioning would occur at about the point of closest approach even for miss distances greater than 1000 ft. Although available evidence indicates that ballistic missiles are highly charged, it is recommended that a substantiating investigation be undertaken prior to any electrostatic fuze program. The subsequent design and construction of an electrostatic fuze is expected to be relatively simple.

Descriptors:

• *GUIDED MISSILE FUZES
• *PROXIMITY FUZES
• AIR TO AIR
• ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• ELECTROSTATIC FIELDS
• ELECTROSTATIC FUZES
• FUZES(ORDNANCE)
• GUIDED MISSILES
• MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS
• SURFACE TO AIR
• TARGETS

Subject Categories:

• Antiaircraft Defense Systems
• Guided Missile Warheads and Fuzes

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE