Water Barrier Line Charge Plume Video Analysis

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is developing technology for a concept that has the potential to be very effective in defending Navy platforms against high-speed, sea-skimming, antiship cruise missiles (ASCMs). This concept uses a new kill mechanism, a wall of water, to provide a low cost, universal terminal defense system for Navy ships. This wall of water or water barrier is formed from the shallow detonation of multiple underwater explosive charges. To support the development and evaluation of the Water Barrier Concept, underwater detonation tests of scaled line charges were conducted in July 1995 to determine the amount of water ejected into the air by the subsurface detonation of continuous and discrete line charges. The above- surface plumes were generated by the underwater detonation of Composition C-4 demolition blocks that were configured into continuous line charges that were 30 to 56 feet in length. Plumes also were produced from the sequential underwater detonation of discrete line charges that consisted of five to eight 10-pound charges separated by 5 feet and fabricated from C-4 demolition blocks. Line charge depths and horizontal separation of discrete charges were chosen to maximize the amount of water ejected into the air.Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Div VA is the author of 'Water Barrier Line Charge Plume Video Analysis', published 1996 under ISBN 9781423577102 and ISBN 1423577108.