New Thermobarics

Improvements and refinements in formulation and configuration of current thermobarics are presented. Improvements in formulation allow for faster reaction rates and more complete reaction, releasing a greater percentage of available energy at early times and close to the HE detonation step. Furthermore, improvements in configuration will allow faster mixing rates, resulting in a reduction in total reaction time. Higher reaction rates, and lower reaction times lead to more complete reaction of the thermobaric fuels, which will cause thermobaric weapons to better engage enclosed targets and cause more extensive damage than current formulations and configurations. The proposed effort is based on the most exothermic solid fuels and combinations derived from thermochemical considerations as well as an extensive amount of experimental data and practical knowledge. Early work by these investigators suggests that a fraction of highly energetic thermobaric fuel can be ignited by an explosive shock and release its energy in a time period consistent with conditions required for increased peak pressure and impulse. The exploitation of this finding in terms of enhancing the reaction rates (both intrinsic and air combustion) is the main objective of this program.