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U.S. Patent 7,191,707 B1 Spherical Rolling Explosive Ordinance, March 20, 2007

Today’s conventional and smart bombs are well suited for most mission applications.  There are however situations that could benefit from an ability to traverse existing opening before detonation.  Consider tunnels, air shafts, and other structures that could allow a properly shaped bomb deep penetration before detonation.  The invention discussed relies on a near perfect sphere shaped device with a friction modifying outer covering.  Depending on the target section, a friction adding or reducing layer could be added as required (possibly using on an existing spray on material. An understanding of the target will dictate the static coefficient of friction required for the outer shell.  Essentially, the bomb would be released and roll and/or bounce into its final detonation position. Furthermore, the device need not be limited to aerial deployment but could be dropped into existing or manmade structured. 

Video Examples

TunnelsWallsDocksBounceStaircase

Areas without GPS

China recently demonstrated the ability to shot down a satellite. It is reasonable to expect that their ability to shot down GPS satellites should be considered in strategic weapons designs. Moreover, there are a number of locations where GPS is unavailable, such as deep within a mountain cave, under water, or in a jamming rich environment.  The spherical device does not rely on GPS to determine its location thereby providing an additional capability. Once deployed, the spherical device operates autonomously `without any reliance on outside factors.  This allows the device to resist attest to electronically jam the device.

Bunkers

There have been many bunker fortifications used from the Maginot line to the underground complexes sued by Saddam Hussein.  These facilities are specifically designed to withstand direct attacks.  Bunkers typically have long stair cases that lead to some hardened underground facility.  Conventional devices that rely on deep penetration are only effective to a certain dept.  A device that could reach a stair could continue to bounce until it reached the bottom where the bursting charge is most effective.  If at the bottom, a door or other structure separates the bunker from the stairs then a series of devices could make their way down the entrance with the first devices destroying the entrance and following devices spreading deep inside.  The bunkers are typically made of reinforced concrete with hard surfaces contained within.  If a hard rubberized ball is considered, it could bounce and roll in a number of locations once inside the facility. The size of the ball could be the size of an orange or larger than a beach ball. The different roll and bounce characteristics that could inflict much damage throughout the bunker. For those that must go into close quarters, a handheld device could be used to go around corners progressing deep within the structure (in contrast to a grenade with a limited time fuse).

Tunnels

Consider a tunnel with curves and an otherwise predictable shape.  These could be used for transportation (cars or trains) or perhaps utilities (water, power, gas lines, or oil lines). Ideally, the device would be detonated deep inside where it could have the maximum impact. Tunnels such as those seen in Afghanistan are of particular interest.  Whereas a conventional device lacks the ability for deep penetration; a spherical (ball shaped) device could roll deep inside the mountainous tunnel and inflict the desired damage. Air shafts are another type of tunnel. In these cases the device could be programmed to detonate once movement has stopped or at some calculated location closest to a desired location. Additionally, bobby traps would likely be triggered by a sufficiently sized device (instead of a war fighter).  Once a bobby trap has been triggered, those sphere following would be able to traverse deeply into the complex.

Caves

With the war on terror, finding ways to get the enemy combatants deep within cave structures becomes a challenge uniquely suitable to spherical device.  Note from the depiction at the right, there is a tendency to carve deep into mountains. These are typically done at an angle leading downwards to provide the maximum protection against aerial attacks. Rolling and bouncing devices tend to use gravity as a force for keeping the devices moving forward. It is expected that the highest values targets would be placed deepest within the caves for maximum protection. The devices can reach deep within certain cave structures. Since a conventional fuse mechanism is not used, the devices can often travel around corners, through air shafts, and other limited space locations.  Additionally, the devices can be release in groups thereby introducing the physiological impact of a number of devices bouncing about with a certainty that they will detonate.  A device need only set of any secondary ammunition or fuel source to amplify the effect.

Mountain Roads

Mountain roads typically have guard rails and other barriers to ensure that vehicles cannot inadvertently go off the road surface.  These same barriers can act to keep the rolling device aligned with the road. Thus, devices released higher up would roll down. The devices could be deployed out of sight of the intended target(s).  If a column of vehicles of infantry were moving up the road, this could have a divesting impact without exposing the war fighter to hostile fire. In the next picture, devices have been superimposed to depict their natural roll. The last think a convoy heading up a hill would want to see are a number of such devices rolling down hill in their direction.