A Novel Technique for High-velocity Launch of an Impactor for Initiating Shock-to-letonation in High Explosives

This paper is relevant to the matter of high-velocity launch of a projectile by a small scale system that might be used to initiate high explosive (HE) or in shock phenomenology work. A small-scale launcher was designed to initiate detonation in HE, function selectively based on inputs, and be easily integrated into a larger system. Under these design constraints the launcher mass and volume had to be minimized while retaining robust function. The basic goal of the launcher was to drive a flyer to critical velocities that will produce shock-to-detonation (SDT) in high explosive upon impact. The flyer was propelled by explosive compression of a polystyrene buffer to pressures greater than 20 GPa. The entire launcher assembly was less than 8 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter. A 0.6 cm flyer was launched at 2.4 km/s and maintained flight stability. Launcher design and the SDT response due to flyer impact were modelled using CTH computer simulations. Testing with launchers in both stand-alone and integrated configurations showed reliable, expected function. Both simulation and test results are presented.