9. Current challenges

9.1 Performance

The MURAT (Mitigated Risk Ammunition) doctrine for conventional weapons has led to the development of less sensitive explosive compositions. These compositions are based on ONTA, a very insensitive molecule. We find octogenous ONTA composite formulations such as B2214B, and cast-melts such as ontalites. This gain in insensitivity has been achieved at the expense of performance, with B2214B, for example, performing less well in external blast than TNT. What's more, priming these compositions requires relays that can weigh several kilograms in a 250 kg bomb. As a result, it is less legitimate not...