Preliminary Study on the Design of a Fragmentation Warhead and Damage Simulation using FEM Models
Francesco GASPERINI, Matteo GIANNITTI, Michele GUIDA, Simone GUBBIONI, Emanuele COFANI
Abstract. The design and assessment of fragmentation warheads are key to the effectiveness of modern defense systems, particularly in counter-drone applications where unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly employed. This work presents a preliminary study combining empirical formulations and finite element modeling (FEM) to support early-stage warhead design and lethality evaluation. Gurney and THOR formulations are first used to estimate fragment acceleration and penetration, providing the theoretical baseline for subsequent simulations. Two complementary numerical strategies are then developed: a simplified fragment-to-plate configuration for rapid analytical validation, and a full detonation model resolving the explosive–fragment interaction and impact on a target plate. The simplified model enables a quick assessment of penetration capability, while the full-scale simulation reproduces the acceleration and dispersion of a 225-fragment array. Results show good agreement with theoretical expectations, with ejection velocities around 1500~m/s and residual velocities consistent with the analytical framework. The integrated approach combines fast preliminary evaluation with high-fidelity physical insight, supporting early optimization of warhead design parameters and demonstrating the value of FEM in modeling fragmentation dynamics.
Keywords
Fragmentation Warhead, Finite Element Method (FEM), Lethality Assessment, Impact Dynamics, Explosive Simulation, Missile, Counter-UAS, Penetration Mechanics (THOR Law), Gurney Model
Published online 7/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Francesco GASPERINI, Matteo GIANNITTI, Michele GUIDA, Simone GUBBIONI, Emanuele COFANI, Preliminary Study on the Design of a Fragmentation Warhead and Damage Simulation using FEM Models, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 1325-1330, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-230
The article was published as article 230 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
[1] O. Molloy, How are drones changing modern warfare?, Australian Army Research Centre, Land Power Forum, 2024. https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/land-power-forum/how-are-drones-changing-modern-warfare
[2] C. Marino, Send in the drones, Army AL&T Magazine, 2024. https://www.army.mil/article/280609/
[3] H. González Jorge, E. Aldao, G. Fontenla Carrera, F. Veiga López, E. Balvís, and E. Ríos Otero, Counter Drone Technology: A Review, Preprints, 2024, 10.20944/preprints202402.0551.v1.
[4] U.S. Army Materiel Command, Engineering Design Handbook: Warheads – General, Alexandria, VA, 1964. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0501329.pdf
[5] J. Wang, Y.-C. Wang, S.-Q. Zhu, W.-H. Ren, and T.-L. Niu, Improvement and Simulation of THOR Formula with Yaw Angle, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review 7(2) (2014). https://jestr.org/downloads/Volume7Issue2/fulltext167214.pdf
[6] G. Baudin, C. Baudoin, A. Soufflet, and L. Champion, Review of Jones–Wilkins–Lee Equation of State (JWL), EPJ Web of Conferences 10 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20101000021
