Thermobaric Weapons (Vacuum Bomb): A Quick Look


Ever heard of a bomb that sucks in oxygen from the surrounding air, to generate a high-temperature explosion, producing a blast wave, with longer duration than conventional explosive, and is capable of vaporizing human bodies?

Well, such bombs do exist, and in this video, we shall see about the Thermobaric bombs, commonly known as the vacuum bombs.

The vacuum bomb consists of a fuel container, and two separate explosive charges. When a vacuum bomb hits the target, the first charge ignites the container, and disperses the fuel, that mixes with oxygen in the air. The second charge detonates this fuel cloud, causing shockwaves and high-temperature explosion. The detonation of the cloud creates a massive fireball, sucking all the oxygen in the blast radius. The fuel cloud can penetrate unsealed or poorly-sealed buildings, making the bomb far more dangerous than conventional weapons. A vacuum bomb can be launched as a rocket or dropped from an aircraft. 

The first reported use of vacuum bombs, dates back to the Second World War, when it was initially used by the German Army. Since then, vacuum bombs have undergone further development, primarily by the U.S., and the erstwhile Soviet Union. The U.S. used fuel-air explosives during the Vietnam War, and against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Russia has also been accused of using the deadly explosives, during the fight in Chechnya, in 1999. 

Russia tested its powerful “Father of All Bombs”, officially the Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power, in 2007. The vacuum bomb is equivalent to 44 tonnes of T.N.T. According to the Russian military, it is the mightiest bomb to be ever created.

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