A warhead is the section of a device that contains the explosive agent or toxic (biological, chemical, or nuclear) material that is delivered by a missile, rocket, torpedo, or bomb.
Classification Types of warheads include: Explosive: An explosive charge is used to destroy the target and damage surrounding areas with a blast wave. Conventional: Chemicals such as gunpowder and high explosives store significant energy within their molecular bonds. This energy can be released quickly by a trigger, such as an electric spark. Thermobaric weapons enhance the blast effect by utilizing the surrounding atmosphere in their explosive reactions. Blast: A strong shock wave is provided by the detonation of the explosive. Fragmentation: Metal fragments are projected at high velocity to cause damage or injury. Continuous rod: Metal bars welded on their ends form a compact cylinder of interconnected rods, which is violently expanded into a contiguous zig-zag-shaped ring by an explosive detonation. The rapidly expanding ring produces a planar cutting effect that is devastating against military aircraft, which may be designed to be resistant to shrapnel. Shaped charge: The effect of the explosive charge is focused onto a specially shaped metal liner to project a hypervelocity jet of metal, to perforate heavy armour. Explosively formed penetrator: Instead of turning a thin metal liner into a focused jet, the detonation wave is directed against a concave metal plate at the front of the warhead, propelling it at high velocity while simultaneously deforming it into a projectile. Nuclear: A runaway nuclear fission (fission bomb) or nuclear fusion (hydrogen bomb) reaction causes immense energy release. Chemical: A toxic chemical, such as poison gas or nerve gas, is dispersed, which is designed to injure or kill human beings. Biological: An infectious agent, such as anthrax spores, is dispersed, which is designed to sicken or kill humans.
Often, a biological or chemical warhead will use an explosive charge for rapid dispersal and enhanced damage.
Detonators Explosive warheads contain detonators to trigger the explosion.
Types of detonators include:
TypeDefinitionContactWhen the warhead makes physical contact with the target, the explosive is detonated. Sometimes combined with a delay, to detonate a specific amount of time after contact.ProximityUsing radar, sonar, a magnetic sensor, or a laser, the warhead is detonated when the target is within a specified distance. It is often coupled with directional explosion control system that ensures that the explosion sends the fragmentation primarily towards the target that triggered it.TimedWarhead is detonated after a specific amount of time. AltitudeWarhead is detonated once it falls to a specified altitude, usually in an air burst.RemoteRemotely detonated via signal from operator. (Not normally used for warheads except for self-destruction)CombinedAny combination of the above.
See also Guidance system List of aircraft weapons List of missiles Nuclear weapon yield Missile
References
Stephen I. Schwartz. "Atomic Audit - The Costs and Consequences of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Since 1940". Brookings Institution Press, 1998.
Chuck Hansen, U.S. Nuclear Weapons: The Secret History, (New York: Orion Books, 1988), pp. 162–164.