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A mission responsive ordnance includes projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration that defines a substantially solid structure with each of the projectiles forming a geometric portion thereof. In a unitary mode of operation, the bundled configuration is maintained to define an integral structur

A mission responsive ordnance includes projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration that defines a substantially solid structure with each of the projectiles forming a geometric portion thereof. In a unitary mode of operation, the bundled configuration is maintained to define an integral structural element that bears loads generated when the bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target. In a sub-divided mode of operation, the projectiles are un-bundled before a target is struck so that the projectiles are released into a surrounding environment.

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1. A mission responsive ordnance, comprising:a plurality of projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration, said bundled configuration defining a substantially solid structure with each of said plurality of projectiles forming a geometric portion of said substantially solid structure;first means fo

1. A mission responsive ordnance, comprising:a plurality of projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration, said bundled configuration defining a substantially solid structure with each of said plurality of projectiles forming a geometric portion of said substantially solid structure;first means for maintaining said bundled configuration with said first means and said plurality of projectiles coupled together to form, in a unitary mode of operation, an integral structural element that bears loads generated when said bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target; andsecond means within said bundled configuration for, in a sub-divided mode of operation, selectively rendering said first means inoperative before a target is struck wherein said plurality of projectiles are released from said bundled configuration into a surrounding environment, said second means comprising at least one explosive charge. 2. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of projectiles comprises a core projectile and a plurality of peripheral projectiles distributed radially about said core projectile. 3. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 1 wherein said substantially solid structure is cylindrical. 4. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 1 wherein said substantially solid structure comprises a projectile shape. 5. A mission responsive ordnance, comprising:a plurality of individually explosive projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration, said bundled configuration defining a substantially solid structure with each of said plurality of projectiles forming a geometric portion of said substantially solid structure;first means for maintaining said bundled configuration with said first means and said plurality of individually explosive projectiles coupled together to form, in a unitary mode of operation, an integral structural element that bears loads generated when said bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target; andsecond means within said bundled configuration for, in a sub-divided mode of operation, selectively rendering said first means inoperative before a target is struck wherein said plurality of individually explosive projectiles are released from said bundled configuration into a surrounding environment. 6. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 5 wherein said plurality of projectiles comprises a core projectile and a plurality of peripheral projectiles distributed radially about said core projectile. 7. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 5 wherein said substantially solid structure is cylindrical. 8. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 5 wherein said substantially solid structure comprises a projectile shape. 9. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 5 wherein said second means comprises at least one explosive charge. 10. A mission responsive ordnance, comprising:a plurality of projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration, said bundled configuration defining a substantially solid structure with each of said plurality of projectiles forming a geometric portion of said substantially solid structure;first means for maintaining said bundled configuration with said first means and said plurality of projectiles coupled together to form, in a unitary mode of operation, an integral structural element that bears loads generated when said bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target; andsecond means within said bundled configuration for, in a sub-divided mode of operation, selectively rendering said first means inoperative before a target is struck, said second means further coupled to at least a portion of said plurality of said projectiles for expelling each of said projectiles from said bundled configuration into a surrounding environment. 11. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 10 wherein said plurality of projectiles comprises a core projectile and a plurality of peripheral projectiles distributed radially about said core projectile. 12. A mission responsiv e ordnance as in claim 10 wherein said substantially solid structure is cylindrical. 13. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 10 wherein said substantially solid structure comprises a projectile shape. 14. A mission responsive ordnance as in claim 10 wherein said second means comprises at least one explosive charge. 15. A mission responsive ordnance, comprising:a plurality of projectiles arranged in a bundled configuration, said bundled configuration defining a substantially solid structure with each of said plurality of projectiles forming a geometric portion of said substantially solid structure, said plurality of projectiles comprising a core projectile and a plurality of peripheral projectiles distributed radially about said core projectile;first means for maintaining said bundled configuration with said first means and said plurality of projectiles coupled together to form, in a unitary mode of operation, an integral structural element that bears loads generated when said bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target; andsecond means within said bundled configuration for, in a sub-divided mode of operation, selectively rendering said first means inoperative before a target is struck wherein said plurality of projectiles are released from said bundled configuration into a surrounding environment.