could somone explain the mechanics-and destructive force of a fuel-air bomb?

Question

--thanks

Answer 1

Read all about it in the Military Analysis Network:
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/fae.htm

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Fuel-Air Explosives [FAE] disperse an aerosol cloud of fuel which is ignited by an embedded detonator to produce an explosion. The rapidly expanding wave front due to overpressure flattens all objects within close proximity of the epicenter of the aerosol fuel cloud, and produces debilitating damage well beyond the flattened area. The main destructive force of FAE is high overpressure, useful against soft targets such as minefields, armored vehicles, aircraft parked in the open, and bunkers.
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Answer 2

The FAE creates a large cloud of flammable vapor and then ignites it. This results in a very large overpressure and vacuum combination. I have been about a mile away from one of these going off. The rapid explosion causes a vacuum, elimating air from the area, followed by a rush of air to replace it. This in itself can have a devastating affect on any living thing that isn't isolated from the atmosphere. So if your tank or bunker has an opening in it, you are susceptable.

Large pressures, a fireball and a huge radius.

The results is similar to igniting the dust in a grain elevator. It burns so fast that the pressure is tremendous.

If you build a camp fire and then throw a handful of finely sifted flour or sawdust over it, you'll get a sort of mini version of the FAE.

Lighting an aerosol will also give you an idea, but it can be very dangerous! You can rattle the windows with a quick burst of flammable hair spray and a lighter.