Nuclear shaped charge: Difference between revisions
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'''Nuclear shaped charges''' refers to [[nuclear weapon]]s that focus the energy of their explosion into certain directions, as opposed to a spherical explosion. [[Edward Teller]] referred to such concepts as '''third-generation weapons''', the first generation being the [[atom bomb]] and the second the [[H-bomb]]. |
'''Nuclear shaped charges''' refers to [[nuclear weapon]]s that focus the energy of their explosion into certain directions, as opposed to a spherical explosion. [[Edward Teller]] referred to such concepts as '''third-generation weapons''', the first generation being the [[atom bomb]] and the second the [[H-bomb]]. |
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The basic concept has been raised on several occasions, with the first known references being part of the [[Project Orion]] nuclear-powered spacecraft project in the 1960s. This used [[beryllium oxide]] to convert the [[X-rays]] released by a small bomb into [[infrared]] light, which explosively vaporized a tamper material, normally [[tungsten]], causing it to carry away much of the bomb's energy as [[kinetic energy]] in the form of tungsten [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]. The same concept was explored as a weapon in the [[Casaba Howitzer]] proposals. |
The basic concept has been raised on several occasions, with the first known references being part of the [[Project Orion (nuclear propulsion)|Project Orion]] nuclear-powered spacecraft project in the 1960s. This used [[beryllium oxide]] to convert the [[X-rays]] released by a small bomb into [[infrared]] light, which explosively vaporized a tamper material, normally [[tungsten]], causing it to carry away much of the bomb's energy as [[kinetic energy]] in the form of tungsten [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]. The same concept was explored as a weapon in the [[Casaba Howitzer]] proposals. |
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The ideas were explored by [[Los Alamos National Laboratory]] as part of the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]]. |
The ideas were explored by [[Los Alamos National Laboratory]] as part of the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]]. |
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[[Category:Nuclear weapons]] |
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]] |
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Revision as of 16:23, 28 February 2018
Nuclear shaped charges refers to nuclear weapons that focus the energy of their explosion into certain directions, as opposed to a spherical explosion. Edward Teller referred to such concepts as third-generation weapons, the first generation being the atom bomb and the second the H-bomb.
The basic concept has been raised on several occasions, with the first known references being part of the Project Orion nuclear-powered spacecraft project in the 1960s. This used beryllium oxide to convert the X-rays released by a small bomb into infrared light, which explosively vaporized a tamper material, normally tungsten, causing it to carry away much of the bomb's energy as kinetic energy in the form of tungsten plasma. The same concept was explored as a weapon in the Casaba Howitzer proposals.
The ideas were explored by Los Alamos National Laboratory as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative.
References
- Chung, Winchell (17 June 2016). "The Nuclear Spear: Casaba Howitzer". Atomic Rockets.
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