Chloe Zhang
Grenades and plastic explosives are both weapons designed to detonate and cause harm. Grenades are typically thrown by hand and can be designed to detonate on impact or after a time delay. Plastic explosives, on the other hand, are a type of secondary explosive that can be moulded into various shapes and are often used by military organizations. A common question surrounding these weapons is whether shooting or otherwise detonating one will cause the other to explode. While it is theoretically possible for a bullet to penetrate a grenade and reach the main charge, the likelihood of this occurring is extremely low, and the majority of explosives are designed to be stable to prevent unintended detonation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic explosives detonating | Unlikely, unless an initiator ("blasting cap") has been inserted into the secondary-explosive "clay" |
| Grenade detonation | Triggered by impact or time delay |
| Grenade composition | Outer shell of serrated cast iron, chemical fuze mechanism, reservoir of explosive material, and a detonator |
| Grenade use | Projectile weapon, thrown by hand |
| Historical use | WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, ancient India |
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What You'll Learn
- Grenades are usually thrown by hand and designed to detonate on impact or after a delay
- The US Army has tested whether plastic explosives can be set off by bullets or other explosions
- Grenades have been used since ancient India, with modern fragmentation grenades having a wounding radius of 15m
- The Mills Bomb, patented in 1915, was the first safe grenade, filled with explosives and featuring a triggering pin
- Shooting a grenade with a gun is unlikely to make it explode unless it's a high-calibre sniper rifle
Grenades are usually thrown by hand and designed to detonate on impact or after a delay
Grenades are small explosive weapons that are usually thrown by hand. They have been used in warfare since ancient times, with records of grenade-like devices in ancient India and Greece. The modern hand grenade was developed and patented during World War I by William Mills from Sunderland, England. His design, known as the "Mills bomb", was the first "safe grenade". It featured a triggering pin and a deeply notched surface to aid the soldier's grip.
Most grenades are designed to detonate either on impact or after a time delay. The impact method was the first to be used, with early grenades using fragile containers of Greek fire that ruptured on landing. Later impact fuzes used sensitive explosives to initiate the main charge directly or to set off a primer charge that would then detonate the main charge. However, this method had drawbacks, as the primer could be too sensitive and cause premature ignition, or too stable and fail to detonate upon impact on softer ground. As a result, impact fuzes have largely been replaced by time-delay mechanisms in modern grenades.
Time-delay grenades use a simple chemical delay mechanism to ignite the explosive material. The outer shell of the grenade holds a chemical fuze mechanism surrounded by a reservoir of explosive material. The end of the delay element is connected to the detonator, which contains combustible material. When the burning material at the end of the delay reaches the detonator, it sets off an explosion inside the grenade.
These time-delay grenades have been widely used in 20th-century conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. They are designed to be durable, easy to use, and easy to manufacture. Modern fragmentation grenades, such as the United States M67 grenade, have a wounding radius of 15 meters (50 feet) and can be thrown about 40 meters (130 feet). These grenades are typically classed as offensive weapons due to their shorter effective casualty radius compared to their throwing range.
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The US Army has tested whether plastic explosives can be set off by bullets or other explosions
The US Army has conducted extensive sensitivity tests on C-4 and other plastic explosive compounds to determine if they can be detonated by bullets or other explosions. They have shot at these explosives with bullets of varying calibres and placed them in proximity to hand grenades to observe the impact of the explosion and shrapnel. Additionally, they have experimented with setting the explosives on fire to assess their reaction.
The results of these tests have consistently shown that plastic explosives, such as C-4, exhibit remarkable stability and are challenging to detonate unintentionally. C-4, in particular, has been found to be stable even when set on fire, burning slowly and producing toxic fumes. While it is theoretically possible for a bullet to detonate C-4 if it strikes the embedded initiator or "blasting cap," the small size of these caps makes this scenario highly improbable in real-world situations.
The extreme stability of C-4 has been further highlighted by the TV show Mythbusters, where a piece of C-4, even when set on fire, refused to explode when shot with a high-explosive incendiary round. This resilience to accidental detonation is one of the reasons why plastic explosives like C-4 are favored by militaries and for industrial use worldwide. They offer the advantage of being malleable and easy to handle without specialized equipment.
To overcome the challenges and hazards associated with large-scale explosives testing, the US Army Research Laboratory has been exploring alternative methods. One approach involves using a high-powered laser to remove a few thousandths of a gram of explosive material in a very short time, allowing researchers to analyze the energy released and gain insights into the explosive's volatility without causing a full-scale explosion. This technique has the potential to enhance safety and efficiency in explosive testing procedures.
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Grenades have been used since ancient India, with modern fragmentation grenades having a wounding radius of 15m
Grenades have been employed in warfare since ancient times, with grenade-like devices known to have been used in ancient India. These early grenades were terracotta elephants filled with explosives and set with a fuse, designed to detonate as an invading army approached. The use of the word "grenade" first appeared in the 1536 siege of Arles, derived from the French word for "pomegranate", due to the resemblance between the bulbous shape of early grenades and the fruit. Rudimentary incendiary grenades were also used in the Byzantine Empire, with containers of Greek fire thrown at enemies. Later, glass containers were employed.
In the late 16th century, a type of grenade called the "flying impact thunder crash bomb" was developed and used by the Joseon Dynasty during the Japanese invasions of Korea. This grenade was made of cast iron, weighed 10 kg, and had an adjustable fuse. It was launched using a dedicated grenade launcher called a "wangu". The first cast-iron bombshells and grenades appeared in Europe in 1467, where they were used in the besieging and defence of castles and fortifications.
During the 17th century, specialised soldiers known as "grenadiers" were trained in European armies to throw grenades. However, after 1750, grenades fell out of favour due to the increasing range and accuracy of firearms. It wasn't until the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 that grenades began to be used extensively again. They proved highly effective during World War I, particularly in trench warfare, and became a standard part of the combat infantryman's equipment.
Modern fragmentation grenades, such as the United States M67 grenade, have a wounding radius of 15 metres (50 feet). This is half that of older-style grenades. The M67 grenade can be thrown about 40 metres (130 feet) by the average male soldier, and its fragments may travel more than 200 metres (660 feet). The M67 is a further development of the M33 grenade, which was a replacement for the M26-series grenades used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It has a spheroidal steel body containing 6.5 oz (180 g) of composition B explosive and uses the M213 pyrotechnic delay fuze. The M67 weighs 14 oz (400 g) in total and features a safety clip to prevent accidental detonation.
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The Mills Bomb, patented in 1915, was the first safe grenade, filled with explosives and featuring a triggering pin
The Mills Bomb, patented in 1915, was a significant innovation in the history of hand grenades. It was the first "safe grenade", featuring a triggering pin and a distinctive deeply notched surface. The man behind this invention was William Mills, a hand grenade designer from Sunderland, UK. Mills' grenade was an explosive-filled steel canister with a unique design that prioritised safety and effectiveness in trench warfare.
The Mills Bomb, designated the No.5, underwent several modifications during its service. The original design included a seven-second fuse, but this was reduced to four seconds after the Battle of France in 1940 as defenders had sufficient time to escape or throw the grenade back. The No. 23 variant introduced a rodded base plug, enabling it to be fired from a rifle, while the No. 36 featured a detachable base plate for use with a rifle discharger cup. The final variation, the No. 36M, was specifically designed for the hot climate of Mesopotamia and was waterproofed with shellac.
The external segmentation of the Mills Bomb, often misinterpreted as aiding fragmentation, was intentionally designed to enhance grip. Mills' own notes reveal that improved fragmentation designs were considered, but they were too costly to produce at the time. The Mills Bomb's distinctive pineapple shape, resulting from its heavy segmented body, produced an unpredictable fragmentation pattern. This fragmentation capability, coupled with its ease of use and short employment range, made the Mills Bomb a formidable weapon in confined spaces like trenches.
The Mills Bomb played a crucial role in the First World War, becoming the grenade of choice for British, Imperial, and allied forces. Approximately 75,000,000 Mills Bombs were produced, and they remained in service for over five decades. The basic "pin-and-pineapple" design of the Mills Bomb continues to influence modern grenade designs, demonstrating the enduring legacy of this innovative and iconic weapon.
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Shooting a grenade with a gun is unlikely to make it explode unless it's a high-calibre sniper rifle
Shooting a grenade with a handgun is unlikely to make it explode. This is because the bullet from a handgun lacks the power and accuracy to penetrate the grenade deep enough to reach the main charge and cause an explosion. Modern grenades are also designed to be resistant to shock and friction, making them less susceptible to exploding when shot at.
However, shooting a grenade with a high-calibre sniper rifle is a different story. Sniper rifle bullets are highly aerodynamic and powerful, capable of penetrating a grenade and reaching the main charge with a well-placed shot. Therefore, it is possible to make a grenade explode by shooting it with a high-calibre sniper rifle.
The shape and movement of the bullet also play a role in its effectiveness. Any asymmetry in the shape of the bullet is usually cancelled out by the spin it experiences when fired, but an overly high spin rate can cause adverse effects, such as mid-air explosions or inaccurate landings.
Additionally, the type of grenade and the presence of a detonator can also be factors in whether shooting it will cause an explosion. For example, older grenades from World War I or II may have been more unstable and susceptible to exploding when shot, whereas modern grenades with safety mechanisms are designed to prevent accidental detonation.
In conclusion, while it is challenging to make a grenade explode by shooting it with a handgun, a high-calibre sniper rifle with the right type of bullet and a skilled shooter has a much higher chance of success.
As for plastic explosives, they are designed to be stable and relatively inert. Shooting them with bullets, even those of varying calibres, is unlikely to cause an explosion. The US Army has conducted sensitivity tests on C-4 and other plastic explosives, and the results indicate that these explosives are stable and require a blasting cap or initiator to be detonated.
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Frequently asked questions
A grenade is an explosive that is usually thrown by hand and is classified as a projectile weapon.
Grenades are designed to detonate either after a time delay or on impact. The outer shell of the grenade is made of serrated cast iron and holds a chemical fuze mechanism, which is surrounded by a reservoir of explosive material. The filling hole is used to pour in the explosive material.
In most cases, a bullet would not be able to penetrate the hard outer shell of the grenade deeply enough to reach the detonator and ignite it. However, a high-caliber sniper rifle bullet could potentially penetrate the grenade and cause an explosion.
Plastic explosives like C-4 are generally very stable and require a blasting cap or initiator to detonate. While the US Army has conducted sensitivity tests, there is little evidence that a grenade explosion or subsequent shrapnel can set off plastic explosives.
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