Modern conventional weapons: classification, general characteristics, damaging factors

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

What are modern conventional weapons? This weapon, which has already become traditional. Mankind has learned to use the energy of explosives, various incendiary mixtures, an extensive range of ammunition, mines and much more, not related to nuclear weapons, which is rightfully considered the last deterrent argument. But scientific thought in matters of the extermination of all living things does not stand still. Today it has become possible to create weapons on a more advanced, qualitatively new level of efficiency and principles. The classification of modern conventional means of destruction occurs according to their purpose and damaging effect. What are the principles for the use of weapons and projectiles during hostilities?

Table

Conventional weapons
High precision weapons	Destined	By type
Reconnaissance strike systems	Fragmentation	Rockets
	High explosive	Rocket and torpedo warheads
	Cumulative	Small arms ammo
Guided bombs	Concrete Breakers	Grenades
	Incendiary	Air and depth charges
	Volume explosion	Engineering and naval mines
		Explosive charges

Ammunition

Fragmentation, cumulative, concrete-piercing, incendiary, volumetric explosion ammunition are distinguished by the principles and characteristics of the impact on objects. Such a variety of damaging factors means a wide range of applications: enemy manpower, equipment, strategic objects.

Fragmentation

The main feature is the presence of a huge number of ready-made or semi-finished lethal elements designed to exterminate enemy soldiers. Fragments can scatter with a radius of up to three hundred meters. Of these, cluster ball bombs and high-explosive munitions are of the greatest interest. In a ball bomb, the striking element is pieces of metal and plastic of various diameters. The usual method of delivery is an aircraft dropping a batch of these bombs in cassettes of various sizes. Can cover an area of more than two hundred thousand square meters. m.

High-explosive ammunition is a separate type,blast wave and fragments of which destroy large ground objects.

Cumulative

Modern conventional weapons include munitions capable of destroying armored targets with a directed jet of high-temperature gases. The products of detonation are focused, burning holes in the metal, which has the properties of armor of different thicknesses, so their use is also advisable in order to cause fires. As protection, screens of different materials are used, located at some distance from the main structure. The energy of the jet, occupied by burning through such a screen, practically does not damage the object with such protection.

Concrete Breakers

When creating modern conventional weapons, much attention is paid to the issue of effective destruction of the entire military infrastructure of the enemy. The sphere of interests of this type of weapons are airfields, communication centers, bunkers and other objects. The main work is carried out due to kinetic energy and a high-explosive charge, acting in 2 stages. Initially, the main task is to break through the obstacle. The second stage is an explosion inside (sometimes slowed down).

Incendiary

This is a whole complex of tools that use incendiary substances. It is no coincidence that Americans consider it a weapon with a huge effect of psychological impact. This type of weapon is divided into incendiary mixtures, metallized incendiary mixtures and thermite compositions.

Incendiary mixture. The famous fire mixture, better known asnapalm. The composition is based on gasoline with the addition of a thickener powder. It has two convenient properties during application: it ignites perfectly, it adheres perfectly to any surface. It burns even in water. The temperature it creates is approximately 1200 degrees.

Pyrogel. An oil product to which powdered magnesium, heavy oils, liquid asph alt are added.

White phosphorus. Used as a napalm igniter.

Vacuum bomb

This terrible weapon also belongs to modern conventional weapons. It is considered the most dangerous invention of mankind after nuclear weapons, but its impact on the environment is minimized. With all the destructiveness for all living things, it leaves buildings and equipment practically intact, which makes it very promising to use in conflicts.

Working principle. A container is dropped from an aircraft using a parachute, in which a detonator is launched at a certain height, destroying the bomb shell. Immediately, an aerosol cloud is sprayed over the surroundings, which increases sharply. Mixing with air and as if becoming attached to it, it penetrates into the most inaccessible places (starting with open windows, ending with bunkers). Even in the mountains, in caves, you can’t hide from him. All the while, the cloud is growing in size. When the desired concentration of the substance in the air is reached, the second detonator is launched. After that, in the resulting mixture of air and ejected matter, alloxygen, which leads to the formation of a vacuum. Not a single earthly creature is capable of surviving in such conditions.

It's all about the low pressure in this artificially created lack of oxygen. Human vessels are not able to withstand such overloads. Another important advantage is the supersonic shock wave and incredibly high temperature. Taken together, all these factors leave virtually no chance for the enemy's manpower.

High precision weapons

A striking example is cruise missiles, or, as they were originally called, projectile aircraft. The first developments were carried out since the first conflicts of the early twentieth century. Refers to high-precision weapons as an independent type of offensive strategic weapons. Able to maneuver in various terrain conditions at low altitudes. This makes it difficult to detect. One of the main disadvantages is its price and weak charge power. With the current trends in scientific and technological progress, the importance of non-nuclear cruise missiles will increase. For the dynamic optimal development of this direction, a Global Space Navigation System is needed. At the moment, the United States and Russia have it. The European Union has also come close to completing the development of this program at home.

Conclusion

The general characteristic of modern conventional weapons is that, for all theirfantastic destructive power, they do not have such a detrimental effect on the environment as nuclear weapons. Rethinking the basic doctrine of modern warfare has led to an understanding of the need to reduce, if possible, the destruction associated with it. The same is true with questions on the impact on the manpower of the enemy. A perfect example is the PFM-1 mine. It doesn't kill, it just maims. But the psychological effect that such weapons have cannot be overestimated.

Further development of modern conventional weapons will continue. In the near future, the possibility of widespread use of laser, plasma, microwave weapons and even methods of parapsychological influence loomed. Already today, the first steps in the implementation of various robots are visible. Therefore, the 21st century is increasingly referred to as the “era of non-contact wars”. But according to the forecasts of military experts, wars are unlikely to become less destructive.