Peter La Franchi/PRETORIA
Denel's Somchem division has unveiled a concept demonstrator for a new type of anti-shipping missile warhead, designed to enhance the effect of impact shockwaves in causing structural damage. Somchem is now seeking a development partner to enable full development of the warhead to proceed.
The warhead comprises 35 shaped charges arranged around a central fuzing mechanism, with the interior space filled with a main charge of 60kg of high explosive.
According to Somchem officials, the shaped charges are designed to detonate sequentially as the missile penetrates a ship hull. This would weaken the hull structure to the extent that the missile shockwave, impacting milliseconds later, could inflict an increased level of damage prior to the detonation of the main charge.
The "focused anti-ship warhead" underwent initial testing at the Alkantpan weapons range in South Africa late last year.
Company officials confirmed that initial talks have been held with European missile producers with further discussions "possible" in the near future.
The concept demonstrator is based on an 863mm diametermissile airframe, but Somchem officials indicate that the design could be scaled down to fit a wide variety of existing missile types.
Source: Flight International
