By Siasart Studio @Adobe Stock
Christopher McFadden of Interesting Engineering reports that Chinese researchers have reportedly developed a powerful new non-nuclear explosive weapon based on hydrogen fuel. Weighing just 2kg, the bomb uses magnesium hydride to store hydrogen, which is released and ignited to produce a fireball over 1,000°C that lasts more than two seconds—far longer than traditional TNT. Though its blast pressure is lower, its extreme heat and sustained burn are ideal for area denial and destroying vehicles, drones, and infrastructure. The weapon developed by CSSC’s 705 Research Institute could also have future applications as a clean fuel source. Crucially, it skirts nuclear treaties while introducing a new class of thermal weapons. McFadden writes:
Chinese researchers have allegedly developed a new kind of non-nuclear explosive weapon based on hydrogen fuel. While not nuclear, the new 2kg (4.4 lbs) bomb is designed to cause massive heat and fire damage over a long duration and is far more potent than traditional TNT-based bombs.
According to the team behind it, the secret sauce is magnesium hydride, a powder that stores hydrogen in a solid form. The weapon is detonated using a standard starter explosive that breaks the solid main payload apart into tiny particles, releasing the stored hydrogen gas.
Once this has been completed, the hydrogen gas is readily ignited, producing a fireball with a temperature exceeding 1,832°F (1,000°C). Unlike TNT, which flashes for a split second (~0.12 seconds), this fireball lasts over 2 seconds, 15 times longer.[…]
According to Chinese sources, the bomb was developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) 705 Research Institute, which is a key player in underwater weapon systems.
“Hydrogen gas explosions ignite with minimal ignition energy, have a broad explosion range, and unleash flames that race outward rapidly while spreading widely,” said the team, led by CSSC research scientist Wang Xuefeng. […]
If fully developed and deployed, it would also introduce a new class of thermal weapons that can fry electronics, melt armor, or torch an area for denial purposes.
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