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From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Trident II
Message-ID: <1990Dec20.015125.27714@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 20 Dec 90 01:51:25 GMT
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From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman)

>From: donnelly@cod.nosc.mil (Thomas F. Donnelly)
>
>In regards to the recent comparison of Trident missiles C4 and D5, does
>anyone have any useful information comparing the relative safety.  In
>particular, what was done in the D5 to protect the warheads from the very
>close propulsion stage?  The C4 separated the warheads by putting them out 
>in front.


I believe Mr. Donnelly is referring to the "donut"-shaped post boost
vehicle (PBV) on the D5, which has the final stage protruding through
the hole.  While most "traditional" PBVs look like:

                         /\ /\ /\ /\      Reentry Vehicles
                        /  \  /  \  \ 
			-------------     PBV
			|           |
			|           |     Final booster stage
				     
The D5 is designed like:        Final Boost Stage    
			        /    
			      __
			 /\  |  |  /\
			/  \ |  | /  \
			-----|  |-----    PBV
 			|            |

I would suspect that the warheads are protected by the material of 
the motor casing, which (I assume) would be the same regardless of
the position or number of the stage.  Since these materials are able
to withstand incredible heat and pressure on the inside, the warheads
positioned around the outside should be safe from the burning prop-
ellant.  I think I once read that the casings are made of kevlar
bonded in an epoxy matrix -- pretty strong stuff!

-shane

"the Ayatollah of Rock-and-Rollah"