Survey of Weapons and their Effects

Course #PC3800

Est.imated Completion Time: 3 months

POC: NPS Online Support

Overview

Physics and chemistry of explosives including enthalpy and oxygen balance calculations. Detonation/deflagration waves within energetic materials. Material response to elastic, plastic, and shock impact conditions. Interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics (including armor design).  Shape charges and explosively formed penetrators. Directed energy weapons including fundamentals of solid state lasers and atmospheric effects on laser propagation.  Chemical and nuclear warhead design and effects.

Included in degrees & certificates

  • 235

Learning Outcomes

  • Determine the energy release and oxygen balance from an explosive chemical formula
  • Understand material response to elastic, plastic, and shock impacts
  • Understand interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics
  • Understand the basic principles of solid-state lasers and propagation issues related to atmospheric effects
  • Understand the basic physics related to both fission and fusion nuclear bombs, design of nuclear weapons, and related damage mechanisms
  • Understand the design of chemical warheads and the lethality of each type
Offerings database access
Asset Publisher

Application Deadlines

  •  08 Jan 2024

    Spring Quarter applications due

  •  01 Apr 2024

    Summer Quarter applications due

  •  08 Jul 2024

    Fall Quarter applications due

Asset Publisher

Academic Calendar

  •  08 Dec 2023

    Last day of classes

  •  12 Dec 2023 – 14 Dec 2023

    Fall Quarter final examinations

  •  15 Dec 2023

    Fall Quarter graduation

See NPS Academic Calendar for more dates.