China has successfully tested a new hydrogen-based explosive developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), marking a significant advancement in non-nuclear military technology.
Key Features:
- Not a traditional hydrogen bomb — no nuclear fusion involved.
- Uses magnesium hydride (MgH₂) — a compound that stores hydrogen at high densities.
- Weight: Just 2 kg, making it lightweight and portable.
- Mechanism:
- Detonation triggers thermal decomposition of magnesium hydride.
- Rapid hydrogen gas release ignites upon contact with air.
- Produces a fireball exceeding 1,000°C, much hotter than TNT.
Advantages Over Conventional Explosives:
- Sustained combustion (over 2 seconds), unlike TNT’s brief shockwave.
- Wider area of impact due to high temperature and extended burn time.
- Non-nuclear, thus less restricted under international treaties.
- Magnesium hydride is now being mass-produced in China, enabling broader military applications.
