brahmastra
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Pune Scientists at the Punes High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), a DRDO establishment, have come up with 12 explosives under the series Insensitive Munitions that explode when fired at enemy targets but do not detonate if the stored explosive is accidentally heated, or hit by enemy rockets
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So, if an enemy missile drops on the storage of these explosives, the probability of it exploding and damaging our soldiers and ammunition storage is minimal, said the experts at the HEMRL.
Insensitive Munitions are future warheads. Compounds with higher explosive capacity are risky to store as the enemy can target the storage that can cause massive destruction. This is the first time Indian scientists have succeeded in developing IM compounds, said Dr A K Sikder, joint director, HEMRL.
The new series includes 10 newly developed molecules along with CL-20, known to be the worlds most powerful non-nuclear explosive, recently developed indigenously by the laboratory. All these are insensitive high explosive molecules and their applications range from being used in warheads as explosives or to gun or rocket propellants. A number of them finds applications in designing structure of missile or warheads so as to protect the housed explosives from enemy missiles. The increased explosive power is important for the much needed miniaturization of the warhead, added Sikder.
The cost of production of these explosives in the laboratories ranges between Rs 3,000 to 70,000 per kg, Sikder said and added, All these compounds are at various stages of production. For instance, preparation methods of most of these compounds, with a few exceptions, have been established to five kg per batch-size at the DRDO. This can be increased further depending upon the compound with the help of Public Private Partnerships (PPP). The ultimate aim is to get them produced from the Ordnance Factories that would enable bulk production as well as bring down cost of production.
The development is a result of efforts by the team of scientists at HEMRL.
Reduced Shock Sensitivity (RSS) RDX is another success of the laboratory. It is shock insensitive high explosive ingredient for Insensitive Munitions and enhances safety of ammunitions from accidental initiation. It will replace sensitive RDX in all formulations. Moreover, it finds applications in rocket propellant formulations too.
.
So, if an enemy missile drops on the storage of these explosives, the probability of it exploding and damaging our soldiers and ammunition storage is minimal, said the experts at the HEMRL.
Insensitive Munitions are future warheads. Compounds with higher explosive capacity are risky to store as the enemy can target the storage that can cause massive destruction. This is the first time Indian scientists have succeeded in developing IM compounds, said Dr A K Sikder, joint director, HEMRL.
The new series includes 10 newly developed molecules along with CL-20, known to be the worlds most powerful non-nuclear explosive, recently developed indigenously by the laboratory. All these are insensitive high explosive molecules and their applications range from being used in warheads as explosives or to gun or rocket propellants. A number of them finds applications in designing structure of missile or warheads so as to protect the housed explosives from enemy missiles. The increased explosive power is important for the much needed miniaturization of the warhead, added Sikder.
The cost of production of these explosives in the laboratories ranges between Rs 3,000 to 70,000 per kg, Sikder said and added, All these compounds are at various stages of production. For instance, preparation methods of most of these compounds, with a few exceptions, have been established to five kg per batch-size at the DRDO. This can be increased further depending upon the compound with the help of Public Private Partnerships (PPP). The ultimate aim is to get them produced from the Ordnance Factories that would enable bulk production as well as bring down cost of production.
The development is a result of efforts by the team of scientists at HEMRL.
Reduced Shock Sensitivity (RSS) RDX is another success of the laboratory. It is shock insensitive high explosive ingredient for Insensitive Munitions and enhances safety of ammunitions from accidental initiation. It will replace sensitive RDX in all formulations. Moreover, it finds applications in rocket propellant formulations too.
