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NAVSEA OP-4, Ammunition Afloat, defines what without further qualification as those substances or mixtures of substances that undergo rapid chemical reactions resulting in the rapid release of energy?
NAVSEA OP-4, Ammunition Afloat, defines what without further qualification as those substances or mixtures of substances that undergo rapid chemical reactions resulting in the rapid release of energy?
Military explosives are divided into how many general classes?
Military explosives are divided into how many general classes?
Two
What explosives are usually nitration products of organic substances?
What explosives are usually nitration products of organic substances?
High
A high explosive is characterized by the extreme rapidity with which it decomposition occurs; this action is known as what?
A high explosive is characterized by the extreme rapidity with which it decomposition occurs; this action is known as what?
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Low explosives are mostly solid combustible materials that decompose rapidly but do not normally detonate. This action is known as what?
Low explosives are mostly solid combustible materials that decompose rapidly but do not normally detonate. This action is known as what?
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An explosive reaction differs from ordinary combustion in the what of the reaction?
An explosive reaction differs from ordinary combustion in the what of the reaction?
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An explosive reaction of a high explosive is always accompanied by the rapid liberation of what?
An explosive reaction of a high explosive is always accompanied by the rapid liberation of what?
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The principal gaseous products of the more common explosives include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen, methane, and what else?
The principal gaseous products of the more common explosives include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen, methane, and what else?
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The rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure is a measure of the quality known as what?
The rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure is a measure of the quality known as what?
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What property of an explosive is important in determining the length of time it can be kept under normal stowage conditions without deterioration and its adaptability to various military uses?
What property of an explosive is important in determining the length of time it can be kept under normal stowage conditions without deterioration and its adaptability to various military uses?
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The amount of energy necessary to initiate an explosion is the measure of what property of the explosive?
The amount of energy necessary to initiate an explosion is the measure of what property of the explosive?
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What explosives are commonly initiated by the application of heat in some form?
What explosives are commonly initiated by the application of heat in some form?
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High explosives in general require the sudden application of a strong what to initiate the explosive reaction?
High explosives in general require the sudden application of a strong what to initiate the explosive reaction?
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What are those explosives that serve to initiate the ignition of propellants and the reaction of high explosives?
What are those explosives that serve to initiate the ignition of propellants and the reaction of high explosives?
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Initiating explosives function when subjected to heat, impact, or what else?
Initiating explosives function when subjected to heat, impact, or what else?
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What increases the shock of the initiating explosive to a degree sufficient to explode the disrupting explosive?
What increases the shock of the initiating explosive to a degree sufficient to explode the disrupting explosive?
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What is a device used to initiate the burning of a propellant charge by means of a flame?
What is a device used to initiate the burning of a propellant charge by means of a flame?
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Primers are classified according to the method of initiation (normally percussion or what else)?
Primers are classified according to the method of initiation (normally percussion or what else)?
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What are used in initiating high-explosive bursting charges?
What are used in initiating high-explosive bursting charges?
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The primary function of a what is to provide a pressure that will accelerate the object to the required velocity?
The primary function of a what is to provide a pressure that will accelerate the object to the required velocity?
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What propellants are compositions that contain mixtures of fuel and inorganic oxidants?
What propellants are compositions that contain mixtures of fuel and inorganic oxidants?
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Solid propellants are manufactured in the form of flakes, balls, sheets, cords, or what else?
Solid propellants are manufactured in the form of flakes, balls, sheets, cords, or what else?
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A propellant is said to be what when the surface area of the grains decreases as they burn?
A propellant is said to be what when the surface area of the grains decreases as they burn?
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The main charge for explosive projectiles is always a what?
The main charge for explosive projectiles is always a what?
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High-explosive charges are loaded into their containers by one of three methods - cast-loading, press-loading, and what else?
High-explosive charges are loaded into their containers by one of three methods - cast-loading, press-loading, and what else?
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What is performed by pouring the substance as a liquid into a container and letting it solidify?
What is performed by pouring the substance as a liquid into a container and letting it solidify?
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What is the oldest explosive known?
What is the oldest explosive known?
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What term applies to explosives that easily absorb moisture?
What term applies to explosives that easily absorb moisture?
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The Navy classifies black powder into two types (what are what) depending on the chemical compound used in the base material?
The Navy classifies black powder into two types (what are what) depending on the chemical compound used in the base material?
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Black powder was abandoned as a propellant around what year?
Black powder was abandoned as a propellant around what year?
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Nitrocellulose (NC) was first prepared in what year?
Nitrocellulose (NC) was first prepared in what year?
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What is the propellant used in the propelling charges for Navy gun ammunition?
What is the propellant used in the propelling charges for Navy gun ammunition?
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What consists of colloided NC with other materials added to obtain suitable form, burning character, and stability?
What consists of colloided NC with other materials added to obtain suitable form, burning character, and stability?
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What uses NG and/or NQ in addition to NC as explosive ingredients?
What uses NG and/or NQ in addition to NC as explosive ingredients?
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What is found in the 5"/54 universal charge, full-service propelling charges?
What is found in the 5"/54 universal charge, full-service propelling charges?
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What is a multibase smokeless powder stabilized with ethyl centralite and includes NG and NQ in its composition?
What is a multibase smokeless powder stabilized with ethyl centralite and includes NG and NQ in its composition?
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What is a single-base smokeless powder stabilized with diphenylamine?
What is a single-base smokeless powder stabilized with diphenylamine?
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What is a diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder to which a flash inhibitor, such as potassium sulfate, has been added?
What is a diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder to which a flash inhibitor, such as potassium sulfate, has been added?
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What is a diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder to which nonvolatile materials are added to reduce the hygroscopic tendencies of the propellant?
What is a diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder to which nonvolatile materials are added to reduce the hygroscopic tendencies of the propellant?
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What is diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder that is water-dried?
What is diphenylamine-stabilized smokeless powder that is water-dried?
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What is a flashless powder made by the reworking of ordinary nonflashless powder?
What is a flashless powder made by the reworking of ordinary nonflashless powder?
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What has a high ignition temperature and is today the most commonly used primary explosive?
What has a high ignition temperature and is today the most commonly used primary explosive?
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What is particularly sensitive to fire and the discharge of static electricity?
What is particularly sensitive to fire and the discharge of static electricity?
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What is a yellowish-brown powder, and is often used as an initiating explosive in propellant primer devices?
What is a yellowish-brown powder, and is often used as an initiating explosive in propellant primer devices?
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What explosives are those components of the explosive train that function to transmit and augment the force and flame from the initiating explosive?
What explosives are those components of the explosive train that function to transmit and augment the force and flame from the initiating explosive?
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What is a fine yellow crystalline material?
What is a fine yellow crystalline material?
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What is a mixture of 97.5% RDX, 1.5% calcium stearate, 0.5% polyisobutylene, and 0.5% graphite?
What is a mixture of 97.5% RDX, 1.5% calcium stearate, 0.5% polyisobutylene, and 0.5% graphite?
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What is a mixture of 98.5% RDX and 1.5% stearic acid?
What is a mixture of 98.5% RDX and 1.5% stearic acid?
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There are several high explosives currently used by the Navy as fillers for gun projectiles. The principal explosives are Composition A-3, RDX, and what else?
There are several high explosives currently used by the Navy as fillers for gun projectiles. The principal explosives are Composition A-3, RDX, and what else?
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What is toxic, odorless, comparatively stable, nonhygroscopic, and relatively insensitive?
What is toxic, odorless, comparatively stable, nonhygroscopic, and relatively insensitive?
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The velocity of TNT detonation is approximately what?
The velocity of TNT detonation is approximately what?
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In the Navy, what is used as an ingredient in plastic-bonded explosives?
In the Navy, what is used as an ingredient in plastic-bonded explosives?
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What which is also known as Cyclonite or Hexogen, is considered the most powerful and brisant of the military high explosives?
What which is also known as Cyclonite or Hexogen, is considered the most powerful and brisant of the military high explosives?
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Composition A-3 is appreciably more brisant and powerful than TNT; its velocity of detonation is approximately what?
Composition A-3 is appreciably more brisant and powerful than TNT; its velocity of detonation is approximately what?
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What has been used as a more powerful replacement for TNT in loading some of the rifle grenades and some rocket heads?
What has been used as a more powerful replacement for TNT in loading some of the rifle grenades and some rocket heads?
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Composition C-3 is about how many times more powerful than TNT?
Composition C-3 is about how many times more powerful than TNT?
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What is referred to as a plastic-bonded explosive because it is an explosive coated with plastic material?
What is referred to as a plastic-bonded explosive because it is an explosive coated with plastic material?
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What is the Greek word for fireworks?
What is the Greek word for fireworks?
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What are used as night or day long-burning reference markings on the surface of the ocean?
What are used as night or day long-burning reference markings on the surface of the ocean?
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What marine location marker is the primary marine location marker found aboard surface vessels?
What marine location marker is the primary marine location marker found aboard surface vessels?
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What aircraft smoke and illumination signal is a pyrotechnic device that is launched from surface craft only to produce a day or night floating reference point?
What aircraft smoke and illumination signal is a pyrotechnic device that is launched from surface craft only to produce a day or night floating reference point?
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What marine smoke signal is intended primarily for signaling between ships and aircraft?
What marine smoke signal is intended primarily for signaling between ships and aircraft?
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Mk 1 Navy lights are hand torches that burn with a brilliant light visible up to how many miles at night?
Mk 1 Navy lights are hand torches that burn with a brilliant light visible up to how many miles at night?
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The proper functioning of pyrotechnic, dye-marking, and screening devices is frequently affected by what?
The proper functioning of pyrotechnic, dye-marking, and screening devices is frequently affected by what?
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Specific ammunition stowage temperature requirements for all types of ammunition are addressed in what?
Specific ammunition stowage temperature requirements for all types of ammunition are addressed in what?
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In a general sense, what includes anything that is intended to be thrown at or put in the path of the enemy to deter, injure, or kill personnel or to destroy or damage materials?
In a general sense, what includes anything that is intended to be thrown at or put in the path of the enemy to deter, injure, or kill personnel or to destroy or damage materials?
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Gun ammunition is most commonly classified by what property of the gun in which it is used?
Gun ammunition is most commonly classified by what property of the gun in which it is used?
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What class applies to ammunition that has the cartridge case crimped around the base of the projectile?
What class applies to ammunition that has the cartridge case crimped around the base of the projectile?
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Guns through what-mm use fixed ammunition?
Guns through what-mm use fixed ammunition?
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What class applies to ammunition that consists of two units - the projectile assembly and cartridge case assembly?
What class applies to ammunition that consists of two units - the projectile assembly and cartridge case assembly?
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Separate ammunition has been produced in gun sizes of 5-inch, 38-caliber through 8-inch, and what else?
Separate ammunition has been produced in gun sizes of 5-inch, 38-caliber through 8-inch, and what else?
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The separate-loading (bagged gun) ammunition class applies to gun sizes how many inches and larger?
The separate-loading (bagged gun) ammunition class applies to gun sizes how many inches and larger?
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What projectiles carry explosive, illuminating, or chemical payloads?
What projectiles carry explosive, illuminating, or chemical payloads?
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What is any type of ammunition assembled without explosives, or what inert material substituted for the explosives, to imitate service ammunition?
What is any type of ammunition assembled without explosives, or what inert material substituted for the explosives, to imitate service ammunition?
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Service projectiles classified by their tactical purpose as one of the following types: penetrating, fragmenting, and what else?
Service projectiles classified by their tactical purpose as one of the following types: penetrating, fragmenting, and what else?
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What ammunition consists of a projectile and a propelling charge?
What ammunition consists of a projectile and a propelling charge?
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What is the component of ammunition that, when fired from a gun, carries out the tactical purpose of the weapon?
What is the component of ammunition that, when fired from a gun, carries out the tactical purpose of the weapon?
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What is the curved forward portion of a projectile?
What is the curved forward portion of a projectile?
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The shape of the ogive is generally expressed by stating its radius in terms of what?
The shape of the ogive is generally expressed by stating its radius in terms of what?
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What is a smooth, machined area that acts as a bearing to stabilize the projectile during its travel through the gun bore?
What is a smooth, machined area that acts as a bearing to stabilize the projectile during its travel through the gun bore?
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What is the main part of the projectile and contains the greatest mass of metal?
What is the main part of the projectile and contains the greatest mass of metal?
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What is circular and made of commercially pure copper, copper alloy, or plastic seated in a scored cut in the after portion of the projectile body?
What is circular and made of commercially pure copper, copper alloy, or plastic seated in a scored cut in the after portion of the projectile body?
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In all minor and medium caliber projectiles, rotating bands are made of commercially pure copper or gilding metal that is 90% copper and 10% what?
In all minor and medium caliber projectiles, rotating bands are made of commercially pure copper or gilding metal that is 90% copper and 10% what?
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Major caliber projectile bands are of cupro-nickel alloy containing what percent nickel or nylon with a Micarta insert?
Major caliber projectile bands are of cupro-nickel alloy containing what percent nickel or nylon with a Micarta insert?
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What is the after end of the projectile?
What is the after end of the projectile?
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What projectiles are dual-purpose projectiles combining most of the qualities of the AA type with the strength necessary to penetrate mild steel plate?
What projectiles are dual-purpose projectiles combining most of the qualities of the AA type with the strength necessary to penetrate mild steel plate?
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What projectiles are designed to penetrate their caliber class A armor plate?
What projectiles are designed to penetrate their caliber class A armor plate?
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What projectiles are designed to penetrate approximately one-third of their caliber of armor?
What projectiles are designed to penetrate approximately one-third of their caliber of armor?
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What projectiles may be loaded with a toxic, harassing, or smoke-producing agent?
What projectiles may be loaded with a toxic, harassing, or smoke-producing agent?
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What projectiles are nonexplosive projectiles used as practice (spotting) rounds?
What projectiles are nonexplosive projectiles used as practice (spotting) rounds?
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What projectiles are used by gun crews for loading drills and for testing ammunition hoists and other ammunition-handling equipment?
What projectiles are used by gun crews for loading drills and for testing ammunition hoists and other ammunition-handling equipment?
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What projectiles may be made of display, instruction, or special tests?
What projectiles may be made of display, instruction, or special tests?
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What projectiles are designed for use against unarmored surface targets, shore installations, or personnel?
What projectiles are designed for use against unarmored surface targets, shore installations, or personnel?
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Small caliber projectiles with what designation are designed to receive a large explosive charge?
Small caliber projectiles with what designation are designed to receive a large explosive charge?
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To increase the range and effectiveness of 5-inch gun systems, what was developed as an addition to existing gun-type ammunition?
To increase the range and effectiveness of 5-inch gun systems, what was developed as an addition to existing gun-type ammunition?
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What are blind-loaded (BL) projectiles?
What are blind-loaded (BL) projectiles?
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The antipersonnel projectile consists of a projectile body, an expulsion charge, a pusher plate, a payload of how many individually fuzed grenades, and a base plug?
The antipersonnel projectile consists of a projectile body, an expulsion charge, a pusher plate, a payload of how many individually fuzed grenades, and a base plug?
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What are mixtures of explosives designed to propel projectiles from the gun to the target?
What are mixtures of explosives designed to propel projectiles from the gun to the target?
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The 5-inch ammunition being issued to the fleet is assembled with what primers?
The 5-inch ammunition being issued to the fleet is assembled with what primers?
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What charge is one that contains less than the service load of powder?
What charge is one that contains less than the service load of powder?
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Study Notes
Explosives
- NAVSEA OP-4 defines explosives as substances that undergo rapid chemical reactions releasing energy when initiated.
- Military explosives are classified into two main types: high and low explosives.
- High explosives, typically nitrated organic compounds, detonate rapidly, whereas low explosives usually deflagrate.
- Detonation is characterized by the rapid decomposition of a high explosive, while deflagration involves slower decomposition.
Characteristics of Explosives
- Explosive reactions differ from combustion primarily in their velocity.
- High explosives liberate heat rapidly during reaction.
- Gaseous products from common explosives include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen cyanide.
- Brisance measures how quickly an explosive develops maximum pressure.
- Stability indicates how long an explosive can be stored without degrading and its suitability for military use.
- Sensitivity refers to the energy required to initiate an explosion.
Explosive Initiation and Components
- Low explosives are initiated by heat; high explosives typically require shock.
- Initiating explosives can trigger reactions in propellants or high explosives.
- Boosters enhance the shock of an initiating explosive to detonate the second explosive.
- Primers start combustion in propellant charges and can be percussion or electric.
Types of Propellants
- Propellants can be composite, mixing fuel and oxidants.
- Solid propellants come in various shapes, including flakes and cylindrical grains.
- Regresive burning propellants decrease surface area as they burn.
- High explosives like Composition A-3 are significantly more powerful than TNT.
Classifications of Gun Ammunition
- Gun ammunition is classified primarily by the size of the gun.
- Fixed ammunition has cartridges crimped around the projectile; separated ammunition consists of a projectile and a cartridge case.
- Dummy and drill projectiles replicate service ammunition without explosives for training and testing purposes.
Special Projectile Types
- Service projectiles serve tactical purposes, including penetrating and fragmenting tasks.
- Chemical projectiles may carry toxic or smoke-producing agents, while HC projectiles target unarmored surfaces.
- HE projectiles are designed for explosive charges and increase effectiveness in specific applications.
Ammunition Characteristics
- Ammunition stowage temperature is dictated by safety guidelines in NAVSEA OP-4.
- Moisture can adversely affect pyrotechnic devices, impacting operational effectiveness.
- Borelets and rotating bands stabilize projectiles for accurate firing.
- Special charges like RAP enhance the performance of traditional ammunition systems.
Historical Context
- Black powder was historically significant but abandoned as a propellant by 1888 in favor of more stable and effective substances.
- Nitrocellulose (NC) was first prepared in 1838 and forms the basis for modern smokeless powders used in naval munitions.
Modern Explosives
- TNT and RDX are contemporary primary explosives, with RDX being one of the most powerful.
- Composition C-3 is notably over one-third more powerful than TNT.
- Propelling charges are designed to transfer explosive force from the gun to the target effectively.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards designed for Gunner's Mate training. Covering key definitions and classifications of military explosives, this quiz is essential for understanding Ammunition Afloat protocols. Perfect for both new and experienced personnel in the field.
