thermobaric weapon

English

Etymology

From being a weapon which produces heat (“thermo-”) and pressure (“baric”).

Noun

thermobaric weapon (plural thermobaric weapons)

1. (weaponry) A weapon of a class of bombs, which causes a large explosion, with effects similar to a nuclear blast, by having an explosion, flash of heat, shockwave, producing a vacuum, and vacuum collapse pressure wave. Typically produced by aerosolizing a fuel throughout the air, and setting it alight, producing a detonation, that consumes all the oxygen in the region.

Usage notes

Though all explosives produce a pressure wave and heat flash, only a specific class of explosive weapons are called thermobaric weapons. Though the name emphasizes the heat and pressure characteristics, this class of weapon does not include the most prominent example of such, nuclear weaponry.

Synonyms

• aerosol bomb
• FAE
• fuel-air explosive
• poor-man's nuke
• vacuum bomb