Enhancing energy in future conventional munitions using reactive materials

Future conventional weapons are envisioned to contain more energy per volume than current weapons. Recent research on reactive materials (RM) can optimize the use of both weapon mass and volume to achieve much higher energy in future weapons. This paper describes processing of RM using methods such as ball milling, vapor deposition, electrospraying, etc. for powder RM, and methods such as hot isostatic pressing, fiber reinforcing, etc. to prepare structural reactive materials (or reactive material structures). The paper then elucidates the reaction rates and properties of RM needed for their utilization in weapons, and also describes various applications of RM, such as in explosive formulations, in weapon liners, as fragments and case materials, to enhance energy in future conventional munition.