Warhead
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214153622
2008-05-22T09:42:07Z
Harald Hansen
99836
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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}}
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[[Image:B-61 bomb (DOE).jpg|right|thumb|300px|A [[B61 nuclear bomb]] in various stages of assembly; the nuclear '''warhead''' is the bullet-shaped silver canister in the middle-left of the photograph.]]
Typically, a '''warhead''' is the [[explosive material]] and [[detonator]] that is delivered by a [[missile]], [[rocket]], or [[torpedo]].
== Etymology ==
During the early development of naval [[torpedo]]es, they could be equipped with an inert payload that was intended for use during training, test firing and exercises. This was referred to as a ''peacehead''. The explosive payload carried by weapons intended for use in combat became known as a ''warhead''. The term peacehead subsequently fell into disuse.
== Classification ==
Types of warheads include:
* [[Explosive material|Explosive]]: An explosive charge is used to disintegrate the target, and damage surrounding areas with a [[shock wave]].
** [[Conventional weapon|Conventional]]: Chemicals such as [[gunpowder]] and [[high explosive]]s store significant energy within their molecular bonds. This energy can be released quickly by a trigger, such as an electric spark. [[Thermobaric weapon]]s are something of a special case.
***Blast: A strong shock wave is provided by the detonation of the explosive
***[[Fragmentation (weaponry)|Fragmentation]]: Metal fragments are projected at high velocity to cause damage or injury.
***[[Continuous rod warhead|Continuous rod]]: Metal bars connected on their ends forming a continuous narrow zig-zag ring after ignition - able to cut aerial structures.
***[[Shaped charge]] or [[explosively formed penetrator]]: The effect of the explosive charge is focused onto a specially shaped metal liner to project a hypervelocity jet of metal, to perforate heavy [[armour]].
** [[Nuclear weapon|Nuclear]]: A runaway [[Nuclear fission]] or [[Nuclear fusion]] reaction causes immense energy release.
* [[Chemical warfare|Chemical]]: A toxic chemical, such as [[poison gas]] or [[nerve gas]], is dispersed, which is designed to injure or kill human beings.
* [[Biological warfare|Biological]]: An infectious agent, such as [[anthrax disease|anthrax spores]], is dispersed, which is designed to sicken or kill humans.
* [[Projectile#Kinetic_projectiles|Kinetic]]: Collides the target with high speed. Detonation is not applicable.
Often, a biological or chemical warhead will use an explosive charge for rapid dispersal.
== Detonators ==
The types of detonators are:
* Contact: When the warhead makes physical contact with the target, the explosive is detonated. Sometimes combined with a delay, to detonate a specific amount of time after contact.
* [[Proximity fuze|Proximity]]: Using [[radar]], sound waves, a magnetic sensor, or a [[laser]] the warhead is detonated when the target is within a specified distance. It is often coupled with directional explosion control system that ensures that the explosion sends the [[shrapnel]] primarily towards the target that triggered it.
* Remote: remotely detonated via signal from operator (Not normally used for warheads except for self-destruction)
* Timed: Warhead is detonated after a specific amount of time.
* Altitude: Warhead is detonated once it falls to a specified altitude. See [[air burst]].
* Combined: Any combination of the above.
== See also ==
* [[Guidance system]]
* [[Missile]] and [[List of missiles]]
* [[List of aircraft weapons]]
* [[Nuclear weapon yield]]
[[Category:Ammunition]]
[[Category:Explosive weapons]]
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