THERMOBARIC AND ENHANCED BLAST EXPLOSIVES PROPERTIES AND TESTING METHODS

Russia was the first to develop such kind of weapons. RPO-A Schmel rocket infantry flame-thrower fielded in 1984 was the first successful thermobaric weapon, in which a self-deflagrating mixture made of magnesium (Mg) and isopropyl nitrate (IPN) was applied. This simple thermobaric explosive sent devastating pressure wave through the Af­ghanistan caves and tunnels system, giving a deep damage within the subterranean mazes [3].