L-140 IM Design Technology - Payloads

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For any munition the payload is what is delivered to the target to produce some desired end effect. Payloads almost always have an energetic effect (i.e., a release of stored energy necessary to perform its operational mission). Many IM initiatives often focus on a change to the munition energetic component and with good reason - this is the component most likely to produce a violent response when exposed to an external stimulus. However, simply incorporating a new explosive fill will not always be sufficient to produce an insensitive munition. To be most effective, a systems approach that may include new technology for warhead casings, their explosive fills, fuze and initiation system components, and even stowage and logistic methods all must be considered in the make-up of an insensitive munition. How these items are designed to respond to external stimuli, taken individually as components, and more importantly, taken collectively as an ordnance system are of primary importance. This collective response is what characterises the insensitive munition.

The present document updates information given in L-101 for the payload section, except the fuze. The main changes concern applications of IM mitigations in munitions (§ 3) and new formulations of IM explosives.