With the development of aviation equipment, used for combat operations, required ammunition, capable of engaging enemy forces on the ground over a large area.Incendiary bombs were on the eve of the First World War.It was a primitive device, consisting of a tank with kerosene and inertial fuse, which served as the basis for an ordinary rifle cartridge.
In the 30s of the last century were used for bombing the so-called phosphate balls.Filling them served yellow phosphorus in the form of granules of size 15-20 mm.By dropping this ball it was ignited, and closer to the ground burning phosphorus particles, propaliv shell crumbled, covering a huge area of rain of fire.We also used a method of spraying set on fire pellets from the special tanks of the aircraft at low altitude.
During the Second World War, mankind first learned what a phosphoric bomb in the form in which it exists today.This container was filled with phosphate balls weighing 100 to 300 grams, a total weight of up to one tonne.Such munitions dropped from a height of about 2 km and exploded 300 meters above the ground.In our time the incendiary shells on the basis of the phosphorus in the strongest armies of the world occupy a substantial part of all ammunition used for the bombing.
White phosphorus
Among all combustible materials used in incendiary ammunition, white phosphorus has a special place.This is due to its unique chemical properties, and especially with the temperature of combustion reaches 800-1000 degrees Celsius.Another important factor in the ability of the substance is considered to be self-ignite in contact with oxygen in the air.Burning white phosphorus releases a thick toxic smoke, which also causes internal burns of the respiratory tract and the poisoning of the body.
dose of 0.05-0.1 g deadly to humans.A white phosphorus by artificial means, or by reacting phosphate apatite silica and coke at a temperature of 1600 degrees.Outwardly, it looks like a wax, easily deformed and cut, which makes it very convenient for filling any ammunition.There are also bomb stuffed plasticized white phosphorus.Lamination is achieved by adding a viscous solution of the synthetic rubber.
Types incendiary white phosphorus
Today there are several types of weapons, damaging substance that is white phosphorus:
- bombs;
- missiles;
- artillery shells;
- mortar shells;
- hand grenades.
most dangerous are the first two types of ammunition, because they have a larger relative to the rest of the striking potential.
What phosphoric bomb
Modern phosphorous bombs - this aircraft ammunition, consisting of housing, fuel filler in the form of white phosphorus or complex charge of several mixtures, as well as a mechanism for its ignition.They can be divided into two types by a method of operation: in the air after the impact with the surface.First actuated detonator controlled, based on the desired height and speed of the aircraft, the latter immediately explode upon impact.
housing such bombs are often made of an alloy fuel called "electron", consisting of magnesium and aluminum, which is burned together with the mixture.Often added to phosphorus other flammable substances, such as napalm and thermite, which significantly increases the temperature of the combustion mixture.Action phosphoric bombs explode like a bomb filled with napalm.Combustion temperatures of both substances is approximately the same (800-1000 ° C), however, for phosphorus and napalm in modern ammunition, this figure exceeds 2000˚S.
the Air Force army has some incendiary cluster bombs, which are a special container filled with dozens of small bombs.Dropped the container is controlled by an onboard monitoring system and disclosed, being at a certain height, which enables the main munitions hit the target more precisely.To understand what a phosphoric bomb in the action, you must be aware of the danger posed by its affecting factors.
Effects of
When using white phosphorus as a combustible material for bombs getting some damaging factors:
- strong flame from the combustion of the mixture at temperatures of up 2000˚S causing burns, terrible injuries and painful death;
- poisonous gas, cramps and stimulates the burning of the respiratory tract;
- burning oxygen in the territory of application, leading to suffocation;
- psychological shock of what he saw.
phosphoric small bomb exploded at the correct height, striking an area of 100-200 square meters, covering everything around the fire.Getting on the human body, burning particles of slag and phosphorus stick and carbonize organic fabric.Stop burning possible, blocking the access of oxygen.
Special phosphorous bombs are also used to defeat the enemy, who is in hiding.1500-2000˚S preheated fuel mixture is able to burn through armor and even concrete floors, and given that at this temperature quickly burn oxygen in the air, the chance to survive by hiding in the basement, or other dugout shelter, virtually none.
It suffocation deaths of hundreds of civilians Vietnamese people during one of the bombings of the US Air Force.These people were slaughtered in a pre-dug dugouts, not having a clue about what a phosphoric bomb.
Implications of white phosphorus
On combustion, napalm and phosphorus released into the atmosphere the mass of toxic chemicals, including dioxin - a powerful poison, has a strong carcinogenic and mutagenic.The US Air Force during the Vietnam campaign actively used napalm and phosphorous bombs.The effects of the combustion products of these substances on the human body can be seen in our time.In areas that have been subjected to such a bombardment, and today children are born with severe abnormalities and mutations.
ban on the use of phosphorous bombs
white phosphorus is not officially related to weapons of mass destruction, but their use is limited by the protocol of the UN Convention.This document regulates their use for military purposes, and prohibits the use for attacks on peaceful objects.According to the protocol, phosphorus bombs are banned for use in populated areas and their surroundings, even if there are military facilities.
known facts of white phosphorus in our time
When the occupation of Kampuchea in the 1980s of the last century the Vietnamese army used aircraft unguided rockets, charged white phosphorus to destroy the "Khmer Rouge".Reactive phosphorous shells were used by British intelligence services in 2003 near the city of Basra in Iraq.
year later, in Iraq, the US military is already applied in the battle for Fallujah phosphorous bombs.Photo consequences of the bombing you can see in the article.In 2006 and 2009, the Israeli army used white phosphorus during the Second Lebanon War and the Gaza Strip during Operation "Cast Lead".
How to protect yourself from the effects of burning phosphorus
In order to best protect themselves from the damaging factors of white phosphorus, it is necessary to clearly define the type of use of the Armed.In case of using phosphorous bombs, aircraft, accompanied by flying down the flame and thick white smoke or burning after the explosion site, you should immediately leave the affected area, moving in the direction of nevetrenuyu.
as asylum better use of space with a solid ceiling and forced ventilation.If such locations can not be found, use the cellars, trenches, pits, vehicles, covering themselves with improvised means, which can act as a metal or wooden panels, boards, tents, etc., given that they provide only short-term protection.
for respiratory protection is necessary to use filter masks, respirators or soft cloth dampened in a solution of baking soda.If you get a burning mixture of clothing or open skin area it is necessary to extinguish the flames by covering the affected area with a cloth, blocking the access of oxygen.In no case can not knock down the flames by grinding, since the area of the burning at the same time may increase.It is not allowed to extinguish and the use of water due to the possibility of spraying a combustible mixture.It should also be borne in mind that zatushennye particles of white phosphorus can be ignited again.
