Fundamentals of Explosive Ordnance

Explosive ordnance is used throughout the armed services to project power. Consequently, a thorough understanding of how explosive ordnance behaves in terms of its effects, as well as environmental and testing methodologies and the way that explosives function from a fundamental perspective, is crucial for the safe handling of these sometimes-complex systems.

This book provides a rigorous foundation for understanding how explosives and explosive ordnance systems operate. Its scope is deliberately broad. It begins with the fundamentals of explosive materials and progresses to detonation physics, including the classical Chapman–Jouguet theory as well as Zeldovich-von Neumann-Döring theory. The text also examines shock physics, fragmentation and penetration analysis, testing of explosives and explosive ordnance, and the use of shock tubes and blast simulators to advance our understanding of blast-wave effects. In addition, it examines the need for insensitive munitions and content on environmental considerations. Finally, it explores sacrificial claddings for blast protection and presents recent observations on the use of drones in the conflict in Ukraine.

With contributions from established researchers and practitioners around this world, this book is written for students, engineers, defence professionals, and researchers. It offers a systematic, and sometimes in-depth introduction to the field—bridging fundamental theory with real-world ordnance behaviour. Whether used as a teaching text or a technical reference, it equips readers with the tools needed to engage with modern explosive systems.