assuming the ICBM is a nuclear warhead…. Doesn’t the whole process behind a nuclear warhead involve an explosion that propels the nuclear “fuel” to start a chain reaction? i.e. exploding a warhead will essentially be the same as the explosion that causes the isotope to undergo fission?
ig the same can be said about conventional bombs as well but nuclear is more confusing.
In: Chemistry
Two reasons. First, the firing chain for a nuclear device is complex, and a single random explosion is unlikely to trigger it. Second, most interceptors don’t actually cause a detonation of the ICBM. They either have a proximity fuze that causes them to explode near the target and shower it with shrapnel, or they are a kinetic weapon that just hits the target to cause damage.
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