HEMRL breaks new ground: powerful explosive in the pipeline

Explosives like CL-20 (China Lake-20) or the ONC – which have been developed in the United States — are impossible to import because of security restrictions,making indigenious production necessary. In India,the HEMRL has succeeded in making CL-20 at a lab scale and has scaled up the quantity for research purposes through a Hyderabad based firm. Now,it has initiated research on ONC.

“At present,ONC is in research stage across the world. It will take us a few years,” said scientist A K Sigdar,who was part of the team that developed CL-20 as well.

Sigdar won the Dalmia Hemsi award last week for developing ingredients for composing insensitive ammunition like the FOX-7,BDNPN,PLN,NTO,TEX,and RS-RDX.

Sensitive ammunition has high threshold levels for explosion which automatically makes it safe for transportation and handling,as it leads to less collateral damage and is more focussed at its target. It is said to be the future of weapons system,said Sigdar.

Sigdar said ONC and CL-20 could be made insensitive at a later stage as per demand,after the basic molecule structure was established. “First,we have to figure out how much ONC will cost. Its product yield should be comparable to costs involved,” he said.

One reason why CL-20 is unlikely to replace HMX – despite its superior energy release – is because of the cost. One kilo of CL-20 costs Rs 75,000.