China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb based on magnesium

Chinese scientists from the 705th Research Institute of the CSSC Shipbuilding Corporation have successfully tested a new type of non-nuclear hydrogen explosive device using magnesium hydride as the main component.

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The South China Morning Post reports this with reference to a scientific publication published by Chinese experts.

During the test, the two-kilogram device created a fireball with a temperature of over 1000 degrees Celsius, which burned for over two seconds. This is fifteen times longer than the explosion of a similar amount of TNT. This duration ensures large-scale thermal damage.

The explosive is activated by a conventional detonator, which triggers the thermal decomposition of magnesium hydride (MgH₂), a compound containing more than 7% hydrogen. The released gas ignites and forms a stable combustion zone that spreads heat over a wide area. The developers note that by changing the chemical formula and geometry of the charge, both the intensity and duration of the action can be fine-tuned.

This makes it possible to achieve a uniform in-plane damage, which is especially valuable for tasks where thermal damage over a large area rather than explosive damage is important. In fact, we are talking about the creation of the latest thermobaric munition - albeit with the use of hydrogen, which makes it even more powerful than traditional analogues.

Experts emphasise that such developments can have not only military, but also engineering and technical or even anti-crisis applications, in particular for creating controlled thermal zones in special conditions. However, hydrogen weapons, even non-nuclear ones, raise concerns about their potential military use, primarily because of their power.

Source: South China Morning Post