Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
10:33
Research and Development of High-performance Explosives
Published on: February 20, 2016
Shaped charges and explosively formed penetrators: background for clinicians
J J Morrison1, P F Mahoney, T Hodgetts
1E Squadron, 205 Scottish Field Hospital V, Claverhouse Training Centre, 8 Granton Square, Edinburgh. jonny_morrison@doctors.org.uk
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
|January 19, 2008
Summary
Shaped charges (SC) and explosively formed penetrators (EFP) are explosive technologies used in military and mining applications. This article reviews their history, science, and wounding mechanisms, including recent use in improvised explosive devices.
Area of Science:
- Engineering
- Physics
- Military Science
Background:
- Shaped Charges (SC) and Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP) are advanced explosive technologies.
- SC are utilized in High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) munitions and mining.
- EFP are a variant of SC, employing different mass and velocity dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical overview of Shaped Charges (SC) and Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP).
- To explain the underlying science and mechanisms of SC and EFP.
- To discuss the recent application of Improvised Explosive Devices utilising EFP (IED-EFP) in conflicts.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of SC and EFP development.
- Scientific explanation of the projectile formation and propulsion.
- Analysis of wounding mechanisms associated with these technologies.
Main Results:
- SC and EFP utilize explosive force to propel projectiles capable of penetrating armor.
- EFP, a variant of SC, use higher mass at lower speeds.
- IED-EFP have been employed in recent conflicts, causing fragmentation and burn injuries.
Conclusions:
- SC and EFP represent significant advancements in explosive projectile technology.
- Understanding their science is crucial for defense and medical applications.
- The evolution of these devices, including IED-EFP, highlights ongoing threats and the need for continued research.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Electric Field of a Charged Disk
The simplest case of a surface charge distribution is the uniformly charged disk. Calculating its electric field also helps us calculate the electric field of a large plane of charge.
The system's symmetry is in the cylindrical directions across the plane of the charge. As a result, the electric fields created by various surface charge elements nullify each other in the direction parallel to the surface. Thereby, the resulting electric field is perpendicular to the plane. Since the disk is...
The system's symmetry is in the cylindrical directions across the plane of the charge. As a result, the electric fields created by various surface charge elements nullify each other in the direction parallel to the surface. Thereby, the resulting electric field is perpendicular to the plane. Since the disk is...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...
03:23Types of Radioactivity
The most common types of radioactivity are α decay, β decay, γ decay, neutron emission, and electron capture.
Alpha (α) decay is the emission of an α particle from the nucleus. For example, polonium-210 undergoes α decay:
Alpha (α) decay is the emission of an α particle from the nucleus. For example, polonium-210 undergoes α decay:
01:29Positron Emission Tomography
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...