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explosives library
Get the science behind the inner workings of bombs, missiles and handheld weapons, including grenades. Learn how they work and how they are used to inflict maximum damage.
Blast-resistant Clothing Quiz
Blast-resistant clothing can leave you unscathed after an explosion, but no material is entirely bombproof if you're close enough to the blast. What do bomb suits consist of, and who's wearing them on the job?
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Dirty Bomb Quiz
Tune into any discussion about terrorism and nuclear security, and you're bound to hear the term "dirty bomb." Is a dirty bomb a kind of nuclear weapon for maniacs on a budget? How do you build one? And what are we supposed to do if one ever goes off?
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How Blast-resistant Clothing Works
Your most rugged pair of blue jeans can't hold a candle to the cutting-edge blast-resistant clothing and technology. Sure, these fabrics are tough, but can they diffuse bomb blasts?
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How Bombs Work
Bombs come in many different shapes and sizes -- as small as a grenade to as huge as a thermonuclear warhead. See what the inside of a bomb looks like and learn how it's detonated.
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How Bunker Busters Work
Ordinary bombs can take out surface facilities; but when the target is underground or otherwise embedded, the job requires a bomb with penetrating power. That's where bunker busters come in.
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How C-4 Works
C-4 is in the news quite a bit these days -- it's a powerful explosive that's used in terrorist attacks all over the world. Find out what C-4 explosive is and what it can do.
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How can you train honeybees to sniff for bombs?
Those same, buzzing insects that seek out molecular hints of the pollen they use to make honey can just as easily detect traces of materials used to bombs. Find out how you train bees to respond to TNT the way they respond to pollen.
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How did the U.S. shoot down its spy satellite?
An out-of-control satellite was headed for Earth. Shooting it down could save lives, but was it all just a ruse to test anti-satellite defenses?
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How Dirty Bombs Work
This week, U.S. officials said they dispatched scientists in December to search for dirty bombs in five U.S. cities, after learning of possible New Year's Eve terrorist attacks. Learn all about these crude weapons.
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How do scientists determine if a nuclear blast has occurred?
In the first reports released since North Korea announced its underground nuclear test on Monday, officials are saying they have found no evidence of a nuclear signature in the air above the blast site.
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How E-Bombs Work
The U.S. could have a new high-tech electromagnetic weapon in its arsenal, and terrorists might be building their own low-tech versions. Find out how these weapons could tear apart modern technology.
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How Grenades Work
Grenades are a devastatingly effective weapon on the battlefield. Find out what happens when a soldier pulls the pin and tosses one of these miniature bombs at the enemy.
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How IEDs Work
Whether you call it a homemade bomb, a booby trap or an improvised explosive device, an IED is simple to make, easily hidden and extraordinarily destructive. Why are these deadly devices one of the No. 1 killers of soldiers in Iraq.
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How Landmines Work
Landmines are a deadly legacy of 20th century warfare. Independent sources report that since 1975, landmines have killed or maimed more than 1 million people during peace time. Learn about the technology of landmines and their deactivation.
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How Missile Defense Systems Will Work
What once was "Star Wars" under Reagan is now National Missile Defense under Bush. Learn more about the technology behind the system.
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How Missiles Work
Missiles are widely-used in the military because they can reach targets from miles away. Learn about all types of missiles, including cruise missiles, stinger missiles, patriot missiles and even missile defense systems.
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How MOAB Works
When the U.S. Air Force tested the MOAB last year, it tested one of the largest conventional bombs ever built. MOAB stands for Massive Ordnance Air Burst, and it's not for the faint-hearted. Find out how it fits into the U.S. arsenal.
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How Napalm Works
You may have thought militaries stopped using napalm after the Vietnam War thanks to the United Nations, but this incendiary weapon lives on in modern warfare. Has it also been used in Iraq?
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How Nuclear Bombs Work
Nuclear weapons are the most serious looming threat in just about any major conflict. Learn what gives nuclear bombs such immense power and what the long-term dangers are.
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How Nuclear Detectives Work
Do you feel your job is unfulfilling? Maybe you should consider becoming a nuclear detective. These modern Sherlocks might just stop nuclear war from happening.
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