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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives
Published on: February 20, 2016
HMX based enhanced energy LOVA gun propellant
R R Sanghavi1, P J Kamale, M A R Shaikh
1High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune 411021, India. sanghavirr@yahoo.co.uk
This study explores high-melting explosive (HMX) based low vulnerability (LOVA) gun propellants as a safer alternative to traditional nitrate ester propellants. HMX offers enhanced energy and thermal stability, improving projectile muzzle velocity and safety.
Area of Science:
- Energetic Materials Science
- Propellant Chemistry
- Vulnerability Reduction
Background:
- Current gun propellants based on nitrate esters pose risks of unplanned initiation.
- Nitramines, such as RDX, are explored for LOVA propellants due to their lower sensitivity and higher energy.
- There is a need for safer, high-energy propellants to increase projectile muzzle velocity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of high-melting explosive (HMX) in LOVA gun propellants.
- To enhance energy levels by incorporating glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) as an energetic plasticizer.
- To address the lack of open literature on HMX-based LOVA propellants as a replacement for RDX.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of LOVA gun propellant using HMX as the primary energetic ingredient.
- Incorporation of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) as an energetic plasticizer.
- Evaluation of propellant performance characteristics, including energy and sensitivity.
Main Results:
- HMX offers superior thermal stability (decomposition at 270°C) compared to RDX.
- HMX provides higher heat of formation (+17 kcal/mol) than RDX (+14 kcal/mol), leading to improved impulse.
- Propellants with 5-micrometer HMX showed no breakpoint until 35,000 psi, indicating low vulnerability.
Conclusions:
- HMX is a promising candidate for developing advanced LOVA gun propellants.
- The incorporation of GAP further enhances the energy output of HMX-based propellants.
- This research provides foundational data for HMX-based LOVA propellant development, offering improved safety and performance.
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