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NNS020814-11 NSWC Indian Head Developing Shoulder-Mounted Thermobaric Weapons for Marine Corps

Release date: 8/14/2002 5:35:00 PM

By Chief Journalist David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

INDIAN HEAD, Md. (NNS) -- Scientists and engineers at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head were instrumental in the development of thermobaric weapons used in Afghanistan earlier this year during Operation Enduring Freedom. These warheads, integrated into a laser-guided missile launched from an F-15, proved to be effective in air strikes against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Now, NSWC Indian Head is developing a thermobaric warhead for the Marine Corps to use with the Shoulder-Mounted Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon.

As a result of Enduring Freedom, the Marines realized a need for a shoulder-mounted thermobaric warhead with penetration capability to defeat a wide variety of targets in urban environments. The Marine Corps Systems Command approached NSWC Indian Head engineers and scientists, who formed a team with NSWC Dahlgren and private industry to accomplish the task.

The project is divided into two phases. Phase one, completed recently, concentrated on integrating the PBXIH-135 explosive into a shoulder-mounted warhead, redesigning the fuse interfaces to allow for reliable detonation against a variety of targets, booster design for full detonation and warhead case design to permit increased explosive fill capacity and penetration through a wide range of urban targets.

Phase two is planned to complete safety certification and produce a number of these weapons for delivery to the warfighter.

Thermobaric explosives create sustained temperatures and overpressurization in confined structures, such as caves, tunnels or hardened structures. They are fuel-rich explosives that use oxygen from the target to create a longer burn time than conventional explosives, making it more effective in caves and tunnels, while, in a sense, sucking the air from the confined space.