credit Alexander Roy
The Army’s ultimate goal is to put these mini-thermobaric bombs into the XM29, its next-generation rifle. The 33-inch-long weapon is designed to fire two types of rounds: standard bullets and programmable, grenade-like ammunition that explode in the air.lt;br>The XM29 – which won’t make it into soldiers’ hands until 2006 – gets even deadlier when thermobaric ammunition is added.
credit Alexander Roy
Lt. Col. Rob Carpenter oversees the XM29 program at Picatinny.lt;br>Thermobaric weapons inject a fine, flammable mist into the air. Once ignited, the mist creates a mammoth fireball and pressure wave that’s nearly impossible to avoid. The mist can travel around corners and into hidden crannies. Once the fire dies down, the mist sucks all of the oxygen out of the confined space. Those who manage to escape the thermobaric flames and pressure waves quickly expire from asphyxiation.
credit Alexander Roy
According to Picatinny officials, thermobaric ammunition will be tested this spring with the Bunker Defeat rocket launcher – a shoulder-mounted, disposable system that was first deployed in Afghanistan.
