Warhead

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A warhead is the part of a military weapon, of a weapon type that physically moves to a target, the warhead causing the desired destructive effect. Artillery]] externally applies energy to the device containing the warhead, or the warhead may be part of a self-propelled weapon (e.g., unguided rocket]], torpedo]], guided missile]]. An artillery warhead, and its mechanical case, is often called a projectile]]. A destructive device that is not externally or self-propelled is called a bomb]].

Warheads also have a means of deciding when to trigger the effect, such as a fuze]] or a communications link over which a triggering signal is received (i.e., command detonation]]. Air-delivered warheads, for example, may have fuzes that act immediately on contact with the target, or delay slightly so the warhead casing can penetrate into the target. A warhead may have a proximity fuze]] so that it detonate at some altitude above the ground.

Effect

The effect is most commonly explosive blast, but could be intense heat (i.e., incendiary]], blast and small pieces of fast-moving metal (e.g., blast-fragmentation]], or a nuclear exlosion]]. Warheads may release chemical weapon|chemical warfare]] or biological weapon|biological warfare]] agents.

A ballistic missile may have multiple warheads of different types, mounted im specialized atmospheric reentry#warheads|reentry vehicles]]. Ballistic missiles, of course, also can have but a single warhead.

Some precision-guided munition]]s, while physically large guided missile]]s, do not contain any destructive material in their warhead, but still have an inert warhead filled with an inert material such as concrete]]. Such a warhead still has a destructive effect, as it is only used with weapons that move extremely fast, acquiring large amounts of kinetic energy]]. The kinetic energy of a concrete-filled ballistic missile]] warhead, or of the collision of an anti-ballistic missile]] with the incoming ballistic missile warhead(s). The kinetic energy of a ballistic missile is so great that adding a chemical explosive would not add significantly to the energy transferred to the target.

Warheads on weapons traveling much more slowly may have inert fillers, or perhaps a chemical that generates smoke. Such warheads are used for training and practice.