Research On The Method Of Evaluating The Carrier Damage By The Warhead

This article may be divided into three parts to discuss the damage of "Nimitz" class aircraft carrier by semi-armor piercing warhead. Firstly, we have analysed the structure and function of the aircraft carrier, and the damage levels can be seen as three parts:F (fire), M (motion) and SW (lethality). Combined with the damage mode of key components, the kill trees of each damage level were established. Secondly, a complete damage assessment model has been set, which includes projectile-target encounter, penetration, component damage assessment under the implosion loading and relation between damage target and its parts. Finally, taking a typical semi-armor piercing warhead as an example, we calculated the aircraft carrier damage probability and described the effect of explosion position, warhead .charging and other factors on the target damage.The results show that:flight deck, hanger and ammunition compartment are hard to be destroyed. However, crew habitat module, optical landing system, drift plates, fire control radar and some search radars are the most fragile components. When semi-armor piercing warhead explods at the front of broadside, F level damage may happen to the aircraft carrier, while at the middle of portside, M level and SW level damage are eager to happen.