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.

Featured Article:  Is North Korea equipped to attack the United States?

On Wednesday, the newly nuclear North Korea took its rhetoric up a notch when it threatened to attack the United States. See more »

Blast-resistant Clothing Quiz

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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