UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ on CL-20, HMX and LLM-105 are all high-energy military explosives used in modern weapons
Q. What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in media?
Answer: (b) These are explosives in military weapons
Explanation:
The substances CL-20, HMX, and LLM-105 are all high-energy explosives developed for military applications,
particularly in warheads, bombs, and precision munitions.
CL-20 (Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane): Developed in the 1980s at the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. It is among the most powerful non-nuclear explosives, superior to HMX and RDX.
HMX (High Melting Explosive): A widely used nitroamine explosive, used in various military applications for decades.
LLM-105: Synthesized at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the 1990s. It is an insensitive high explosive, designed to resist heat and shocks, improving safety in munitions.
