
Warhead
The warhead is the explosive or destructive part of the rocket. Different tactical requirements demand specific types of rocket warheads to be used with airborne rockets. The different types of warheads are:
High-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) - Used against personnel and light armored targets.
High explosive anti-tank (HEAT) - Used against armored targets, tanks, bunkers, armored vehicles, etc.
High explosive Anti-tank/Antipersonnel (AT/APERS) - combines the uses and effect of both the HE-FRAG and HEAT warheads.
High explosive general purpose (HEGP) - Has a variety of uses. Also produces fragments
Fletchette warheads - Used against light armored targets and personnel. Contain a large number of small arrow-shaped projectiles. A small explosive charge in the warhead dispenses the fletchette after rocket motor burnout.
Smoke warheads - Used for target marking. Produces a heavy volume of smoke.
Flare warheads - Designed to provide illumination for tactical operations. Contain a delay action fuze, candle and a parachute.
Chaff/Chaff countermeasures warhead - Used to create radar images. Confuse, disrupt, or decoy electronic warfare and acquisition, radars. Effective against certain missiles by causing pre-detonation of the missile fuze.
Practice warhead - Used to simulate explosive-loaded warheads. Are either dummy or inert-loaded warheads. Same weight and ballistic characteristics of explosive-loaded warheads.
Red Phosphorous - Used primarily to provide a volume of dense white smoke suitable for target marking and screening application. Case loaded with 15 lbs of Red Phosphorous/butyl rubber composition and a burster tube containing 135 grams of PBXC-203 explosive.
2.75 inch warheads
5.0 inch warheads
Back to Rockets, EAWS sec 127, The Weapons