EXPLODING BRIDGEWIRE INITIATION OF CAST EXPLOSIVES

Good progress was made in developing a system to initiate relatively insensitive explosives like TNT without the use of primary explosive. The initiation is triggered by the use of an exploding bridgewire and the reaction in the surrounding high explosive is enhanced by confinement of a barrier whose rupture adds to the build-up of detonation in the main column of high explosive. Results show that high order detonations are achievable with this system. Seventeen shots were made, all of which resulted in high order judged by dent in steel block or the condition of the damage to the confinement. Further studies are recommended to optimize practical designs.