METHOD OF AND AN APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING THE WARHEAD OF BALLISTIC MISSILES FROM PROJECTILES OF ANTIMISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM

There is provided a method and apparatus to protect the warhead of ballist ic missiles from projectiles of antimissile defence system. It comprises: creating, at a certain distance in front of the warhead, a layer of mechanical fragments with the same trajectory as that of the warhead and a density that will make it impossible for the projectile of an antimissile defence system to get through the layer without hitting one or more fragments. This layer is created by an apparatus that detaches from the warhead after the latter reaches an open space and moves into its required position using propulsion jets under control of its own navigation system. At the same time the warhead is equipped with 2 or more side jet engines or devices that can shoot the weight in a direction perpendicular to the trajectory of the warhead and give the warhead an impul se in that direction. In addition, the warhead is equipped with compact radar to determine the speed and/or distance to the projectile of the antimissile defence system and to give the signal to switch on the side jet engine or to shoot the weight. After the warhead reaches an open space, the apparatus mentioned above mov es into position in front of the warhead so that it has the same trajectory as the warhead but is removed a certain distance from thelatter and creates a layer of fragments. When the projectile of an antimissile defence system reaches the layer of fragments i t will hit one or more of them and cause damage or lose orientation. The radar on the warhe ad gives a signal to the side jet or to the shooting device to give the warhead an impulse perpendicular to its trajectory to avoid contact with the damaged and/or disoriented projectile of the antimissile defence system. The second side jet engine or shooting device is used to give the warhead an impulse in the opposite direction in order to keep it on a trajectory close to original one.