Method and apparatus for providing an explosively formed penetrator having fins

摘要

An improved explosively formed penetrator and a method of manufacturing same for forming an elongated rod-like penetrator having aerodynamically stabilizing fins, but without requiring any exotic production processes for shaping or modifying the characteristics of a conventional liner normally used in such penetrators. The present invention comprises a specially shaped thin foil which is placed between the liner and the explosive charge and which provides a selected plurality of radial legs which, in a preferred embodiment, are symmetrically placed around a center portion axially aligned with the center of the liner. The combined axial thickness of the liner and the radial legs of the thin foil lag behind the thinner portions of the liner alone, thereby causing the explosively formed penetrator to form unevenly, hence forming fins.