LLNL Team Demonstrates Anisotropic Explosive Properties in Key Weapon Safety Study

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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

February 7, 2023 | Originally published by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on January 26, 2023

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists and engineers led a multi-institutional team in executing a series of high explosives tests that successfully demonstrated fundamental principles of anisotropy, a possible enabler for improved weapon and munition safety.

Working under snowy and frigid conditions on Idaho’s Snake River Plain, a 13-member team from LLNL carried out 52 explosives shots over four days in mid-November at the Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL’s) National Security Test Range (NSTR) to complete the study.  The broader anisotropy (ANISO) team included high explosives handlers and volunteers from INL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Marine Raiders from the Marine Special Operations Command, and members of the U.S. Special Operations Command.