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The research into DIME technology is conducted by the US Air
Force Resarch Lab partnered with Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory. This technology was demonstrated in a low collateral
damage warhead, allowing a "behind-the-wall" threat
prosecution with a highly localized lethal footprint. The warhead
case consists of a low-density, wrapped carbon-fiber/epoxy matrix
integrated with a steel nose and base. The low-density composite
case can survive penetration into a one-foot hardened concrete
wall.
Upon detonation, the carbon-fiber warhead case disintegrates
into small non-lethal fibers with little or no metallic fragments,
thus significantly reducing collateral damage to people and
structures. The warhead explosive fill is a dense inert metal
explosive containing fine tungsten particles to provide a ballasted
payload with sufficient penetration mass. The tungsten displaces
energetic material so as to reduce the total energetic used.
The net results are higher dynamic energy impulse all within
a small lethal footprint.
DIME are among the technologies considered for inclusion in
the Focused Lethality Munition (FLM) Upgrades for the Small
Diameter Bomb (SDB). FLM exploites focused lethality munitions,
which would further reduce a small diameter bomb's collateral
damage. In the FLM, the steel casing will be replaced with one
made of carbon fibers, thus eliminating fragmentation effect
which, in standard bombs can reach up to 2,000 feet. FY2007
increase of $40.2M for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Focused Lethality
Munition (FLM) supported teh examination of alternate bomb fills
and casings into SDB Ipreparing for technology integration into
SDB I.
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