Navy detonated 20 ton explosive for shock trial.

[printcraft]

This wasn't a shock test, they were targeting one of the USO's base of operations on this planet, they just needed a cover story.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

This wasn't a shock test, they were targeting one of the USO's base of operations on this planet, they just needed a cover story.

Yeah, the USO hasn't been the same since we lost Bob Hope.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Water doesn't compress.
So it transmits the shock.

The very reason the torpedo bomber held prominence in World War II carrier Air groups.

 

[actaeon277]

The very reason the torpedo bomber held prominence in World War II carrier Air groups.

Well, that's because holes under the waterline work better than holes above the waterline.

A better comparison, would be why torpedoes switched to magnetic detonators.
A torpedo hitting the side of the ship, only 1/6th of the explosion is utilized.
Shaped charges could increase the percentage, but still, most of the explosion is away to the side, up, and down.
An explosion under the ship though, the force up (1/6 of the force) is against the ship.
The explosion force is reflected back up (1/6 of the force).
So you have doubled it.
Also, force to Port and Starboard (1/6 and 1/6) blows the water out from under the ship.
The force Forward and Aft (1/6 and 1/6) will blow the water away from the detonating point, and due to the curvature of the ship, eventually away from the ship.
So the ship initially gets a hammer blow up, twice as hard than if it had hit the side.
Then, the weakened metal is supported on each end by water, but not in the center, causing STRESS.


This is what considerably LESS than 20tons does.

 

[Tombs]

Imagine having a job where all you do is blow stuff up, and get to use legitimate excuses for it.

I bet every member of that team rates high on happiness.