What separates black powder from TNT, RDX, C-4, PETN, HMX, and modern insensitive explosives? This video explains the major types of military explosives, how they are classified, and why different materials exist for very different jobs.

We start with low explosives and propellants, then move through primary and secondary explosives, TNT, picric acid, RDX, PETN, HMX, tetryl, Amatol, Composition B, aluminized explosives, plastic explosives, polymer-bonded explosives, and insensitive munitions. The final sections separate explosive materials from warhead effects such as thermobaric blast, shaped charges, fragmentation, and nuclear weapons.

CHAPTERS

0:00 What Counts as a Military Explosive?
1:18 Low Explosives and Propellants
2:28 Primary Explosives
3:35 TNT
4:52 Picric Acid and Ammonium Picrate
6:09 RDX
7:31 PETN
8:35 HMX and Tetryl
9:46 Amatol and Wartime Mixtures
10:56 Composition B
12:06 Aluminized Explosives
13:20 Plastic Explosives and C-4
14:33 Polymer-Bonded Explosives
15:52 Insensitive Munitions Explosives
17:09 Thermobaric and Enhanced Blast Explosives
18:25 Shaped Charges and Explosively Formed Penetrators
19:36 Fragmentation, Blast, and Incendiary Effects
20:52 Nuclear Weapons

Which category surprised you most: propellants, plastic explosives, insensitive munitions, or thermobaric weapons?

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