Magnetic Screening Against Shaped-Charge Action

Summary form only given. In recent years, much attention of researchers working in pulsed energy and high magnetic fields has been focused on searching for new applications of pulsed power and high magnetic fields in the protection against shaped-charge weapon. The present paper considers the possibility of using magnetic fields for the antiterrorist protection of various objects against shaped-charge action by means of their magnetic screening -the creation of a magnetic field in the space ahead of the object being protected from attack. The results of an experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of the magnetic field generated in a shaped-charge liner on the structure of the shaped charge formed and penetration into a target are presented. It is shown that a considerable decrease in the depth of penetration of shaped-charge jets into the target can be achieved at moderate magnetic fields of a few tenths of a tesla. The physical mechanisms involved in the disruption of shaped-charge jets and the possibility of using the detected physical phenomena to produce "magnetic armor" by the creation of a magnetic field ahead of an object subjected to shaped-charge attack are discussed. The results of the experiments and estimates confirm that the "magnetic protection" of objects from shaped-charge warheads is in principle possible.