The flash upon impact of the hypersonic warhead of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) is not an explosion in the conventional sense. A plasma cocoon forms around the warhead, explained rocket engineer and author of the Telegram channel "Russian Engineer," Alexander Vasiliev.
According to him, at speeds above Mach 5-6, the kinetic energy reserve of the warhead exceeds the energy of the explosive that can physically be placed in the body. At such overloads, the explosive could occupy no more than 25-30% of the mass.
Therefore, it loses the point of using explosives, plus it simplifies the creation of the warhead. The material heats up so much during sudden braking that it partially turns into plasma - from this stored energy.
Vasiliev added that a fragmentation field of high-speed metal droplets forms upon impact. They act as micro-shaped charges directed along the flight path and provide tremendous penetration capability.
In essence, it's a huge sub-caliber dart, several times faster than one from a tank, and an order of magnitude heavier. Upon contact with a solid material, it instantly heats up from braking and deformation, forming a cloud of plasma from its body, and splashes of metal that give the effect of shaped charges.
Vasiliev concluded that the "Oreshnik" was not created for area strikes, but for penetrating dozens of meters of concrete - bunkers, tunnels, and underground storage facilities.
Military expert Viktor Litovkin explained that the warheads of the "Oreshnik" are capable of hitting targetsat a depth of up to 30 meters.
We add that a colossal amount of heat is released upon impact of the "Oreshnik" (up to 4000 °C), which iscomparable to the temperature on the surface of the Sun and further destroys the structure of the target.
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