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| - An explosive is a substance that will burn up or decompose almost instantly, producing intense heat and a large volume of expanding gas. This rapid change of state is called an explosion. Depending on its nature, an explosive may be detonated by apply heat, by shaking, or by striking. The sharp sound, or report, of an explosion is due to the air waves set in motion by the explosion's force. Gunpowder is considered a low explosive, but is not discussed in this section.
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| abstract
| - An explosive is a substance that will burn up or decompose almost instantly, producing intense heat and a large volume of expanding gas. This rapid change of state is called an explosion. Depending on its nature, an explosive may be detonated by apply heat, by shaking, or by striking. The sharp sound, or report, of an explosion is due to the air waves set in motion by the explosion's force. Gunpowder is considered a low explosive, but is not discussed in this section. There are three parts to an explosive weapon system: the launcher, the missile, and the warhead. The missile is discussed in the projectile weapons section. This section will instead analyze the many types of warheads and the launchers that support them, and will in the process dispel some common misconceptions. Understand that the warhead is carried by the missile or rocket to the target. The launcher is the device that fires the missile. Grenades are self-detonating explosives used against personnel. They are typically handheld, but may be supported by a rocket. If so, they are said to be rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, and must be first fired from a launcher. RPGs are usually less complicated than a missile-warhead, but are conversely less effective. Grenades have no armor-piercing capability, making them virtually ineffective against armor. Grenades that are launched but not assisted by a rocket do not qualify as a RPG. However, as the launcher still fires an explosive weapon, it is still discussed in the launchers article. Land mines are explosive charges placed or buried on the ground. It is a defensive weapon used to obstruct or delay enemy movements. They can destroy tanks and halt an entire infantry advance. Bombs are basically advanced, autonomous warheads. They are designed to be dropped from air or space and will coast to the ground target. Bombs have no rocket motor. Instead, they utilize the power of gravity. Guided bombs navigate through guidance fins that operate like the wings of an aircraft. Extra explosives replace the space that would normally be occupied by the rocket and fuel, making bombs the most powerful of all explosive types.
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![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)