Thermobaric weapon

A thermobaric weapon, aerosol bomb, fuel air explosive, or vacuum bomb[1] is a type of explosive that uses oxygen from the surrounding air to create a high-temperature explosion.

This can be launched as a rocket or dropped from an airplane as a bomb.[2]

Effects

In 2000, Human Rights Watch quoted United States authorities, on how the blast's "kill mechanism against living [things or] targets is unique—and unpleasant. ... What kills is the pressure wave, and more importantly, the subsequent [vacuum or] rarefaction, which ruptures the lungs. ... If the fuel [burns or] deflagrates but does not [... explode], victims will be severely burned and will probably also [... breathe] the burning fuel. [... The] most common FAE fuels [or fuel-air explosion fuels], ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, are highly toxic"; Breathing unexploded FAE adds to the risk of (related) death.[3]

Weapons and warheads

 
TOS-1A rocket launchers on the ground and two rockets in the air (Picture from 2011)
  • TOS-1A, multiple rocket launcher (or MRLS)[5]

Thermobaric Weapon Media

References

  1. Harrison, Virginia (2022-03-01). "What are thermobaric weapons and how do they work?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  2. "Ukraine conflict: What is a vacuum or thermobaric bomb?". BBc News: 1. March 2, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60571395. Retrieved March 2, 2022. 
  3. "Backgrounder on Russian Fuel Air Explosives ("Vacuum Bombs") | Human Rights Watch". Hrw.org. 1 February 2000. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. https://www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/WjP0ok/meter-for-meter-kommer-russerne-naermere-slik-utkjempes-slaget-i-donbas. Aftenposten. Retrieved 1 June 2022
  5. [Putin's deadliest weapon: «The burning sun»] (in Norwegian) https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/putins-dodeligste-vapen-den-brennende-sol/s/5-95-1031143. Nettavisen.no. Retrieved 2023-04-14