Chinese researchers have successfully conducted a controlled field test of a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb.
This was reported by the South China Morning Post.
Experts noted that such a bomb can cause long-term thermal damage due to a fireball with a temperature of more than +1000 °C, which can melt aluminum alloys. The flash lasted more than two seconds. For comparison, TNT explosions typically cause a flash lasting only about 0.12 seconds.
The weapon’s shock wave has 40% of the power of TNT, but its thermal effect is much more intense and long-lasting. The 705 Research Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) is known to have developed it.
The bomb is based on magnesium hydride, a silver powder that can store much more hydrogen than conventional cylinders. When conventional explosives activate, the substance decomposes and releases hydrogen, causing a powerful fire.
The development could potentially have military applications. The publication writes that the weapon will be used to hit important targets or create thermal zones over large areas.