IDN TAKE: Why India's Arjun Main Battle Tank has Finally come of Age

[Zarvan]

A Thermobaric Warhead Explosion

India's Arjun MBT achieved 'Quantum Jump' in its fire-power after successfully test firing of new Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) explosives. The trials were found to be very effective and the damage was devastating with the firing of ammunition successfully destroying the target tank and severely damaging its turret, barrel, tracks, ammunition bin, various sights, antennas among others.

The test was conducted in Chandipur, Odisha on 6 January, 2015 in the presence of Army representatives and DRDO officials.

What is Thermobaric Explosive Technology?

Thermobaric weapons are reported to be effective against soft targets in enclosed spaces like tunnel, bunker, field fortifications, underground structures, buildings, machine gun posts, etc. TB weapons are developed using advanced and refined fuel air explosive techniques to create sustained temperature and overpressure on detonation. DRDO has completed preparation and evaluation of solid and liquid based TB explosive compositions for application in warheads for tanks and guided missiles.

Exclusive Technology

DRDO has developed CL-20 explosive which is regarded as the most powerful non-nuclear explosive yet known to man. The CL-20's volatile characteristics involve the sudden release of energy by rapid oxidisation, in effect a controlled explosion. DRDO scientists have successfully synthesized adequate quantities of CL-20. Indian CL-20 (ICL-20) was synthesized indigenously using inverse technology, which has elevated India to an elite club of countries with advanced capabilities in the field of high energetic materials. CL-20 is four times more potent than royal demolition explosive or cyclonite or hexogen, commonly known as RDX. Interestingly, the Russian made Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP) or knicknamed the "Father of All Bombs" (FOAB) is the most powerful explosive known to man.

Research & Evaluation

The TB ammunition was developed after extensive research using an innovative chemical composition following an evaluation of varied targets and parameters. DRDO indicated after the trails that these were "unique" trails and it was the "first time" that such an evaluation was carried out in India. It is noteworthy that the explosive will substantially reduce the weight and size of a warhead while packing in more punch.

During the development phase, these ammunitions were extensively evaluated against different simulated targets viz., armour plates, concrete structures and fortifications. The trials was aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the ammunitions on derelict tank fitted with instrumentation to measure the shocks, blast pressure and temperature at various locations and on advanced imaging systems.
The successful test-firing comes as good news to India's Arjun MBT which has had a problematic past.
The ammunition was developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), which are DRDO labs based in Pune.
However, it is not known whether the Arjun actually tested an ICL-20 based bomb, but the composition has been under development by DRDO labs over the last 6 to 7 years. DRDO confirmed late last year that the trials for evaluation of strength of design, consistency of the shells functioning and R&D trials were completed involving Penetration-cum-blast (PCB) and TB ammunitions. The successful test invariably adds another feather in the cap of the much beleaguered armored vehicle. (With inputs from Press Information Bureau & Defence Ministry)

Admin - IDN
Indian Defence News: IDN TAKE: Why India's Arjun Main Battle Tank has Finally come of Age

 

[Odysseus]

DRDO has developed CL-20 explosive which is regarded as the most powerful non-nuclear explosive yet known to man.

Interestingly, the Russian made Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP) or knicknamed the "Father of All Bombs" (FOAB) is the most powerful explosive known to man.

Two contradictory sentences in a single para. Which one among them is more powerful?

 

[The Huskar]

Two contradictory sentences in a single para. Which one among them is more powerful?

CL-20 is the name of the explosive like RDX or TNT.Also shoddy journalism as it was first produced by China Lake facility for USN testing and evaluation.Also MOAB or FOAB are showpiece weapons as they are too heavy to be air delivered.

 

[Bornubus]

Well India has vast experience in chemical research with application in both engineering and Military,no wonder they came up with something like PCB and TB round.