3 ms·
> Or does the speed impact the force of the warhead? Absolutely. The energy density of TNT is 4.11 MJ/kg. An object traveling at 2.5 km/s has a kinetic energy
by credit_guy 4y ago
> Or does the speed impact the force of the warhead?
Absolutely. The energy density of TNT is 4.11 MJ/kg. An object traveling at 2.5 km/s has a kinetic energy (mv^2/2) of 3.12 MJ/kg. If we consider a simple rule of 3 for a cruise missile (1/3 the warhead, 1/3 the fuel, 1/3 the rest of the missile), then the kinetic energy of the warhead and the empty vehicle will be 50% more than the energy of the explosive (if not more). So, even if the warhead is only one fifth of the warhead of a subsonic missile, the total energy delivered on target is one half.