proximity fuze

proximity fuze
a design for detonating a charge, as in a projectile, within a predesignated radius of a target. Also called variable time fuze, VT fuze.
[1940-45]

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also called  Vt Fuze, or Influence Fuze,  

      an explosive ignition device used in bombs, artillery shells, and mines. The fuze senses when a target is close enough to be damaged or destroyed by the weapon's explosion. The sensor is typically a small radar set that sends out signals and listens for their reflections from nearby objects.

      The proximity fuze was developed through British and American cooperation in the early stages of World War II. It was first used against ground troops in the Battle of the Bulge (1944). The advantage was that the gunners could fire shells to explode over troop positions, showering them with deadly shell fragments. The proximity fuze sensed radar returns from the ground and triggered the explosive charge while the shell was still 20 to 50 feet (6 to 15 m) in the air. The device was also well suited to antiaircraft artillery, with shells bursting when the fuze reported the close presence of an aircraft rather than at a preset altitude as was the previous practice.

      Proximity fuzes were used effectively by both ground and naval antiaircraft batteries in the later stages of World War II. They were especially useful against the V-1 flying bombs sent over England by Germany and against Japanese aircraft attacking U.S. ships in the Pacific. The development of the proximity fuze, along with the introduction of electronically controlled aiming devices, greatly increased the accuracy of antiaircraft fire.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • proximity fuze — ☆ proximity fuze n. an electronic fuze that detonates a bomb, missile, etc. when its sensor detects the target …   English World dictionary

  • Proximity fuze — A proximity fuze (also called a VT fuze, for variable time ) is a fuze that is designed to detonate an explosive device automatically when the distance to target becomes smaller than a predetermined value or when the target passes through a given …   Wikipedia

  • proximity fuze — noun : an electronic device that detonates a projectile within effective range of the target by means of the radio waves sent out from a tiny radio set in the nose of the projectile and reflected back to the set from the target called also radio… …   Useful english dictionary

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  • proximity fuze — A fuze wherein primary initiation occurs by remotely sensing the presence, distance, and/or direction of a target or its associated environment by means of a signal generated by the fuze or emitted by the target, or by detecting a disturbance of… …   Military dictionary

  • proximity fuze — proxim′ity fuze n. a device for detonating a charge, as in a projectile, within a predesignated radius of a target • Etymology: 1940–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • proximity fuze — bomb ignition device that senses the distance of a target and automatically detonates the bomb when the target is within range (Military) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Magnetic proximity fuze — A Magnetic proximity fuze was patented by P.J. Eliomarkakis, (United States Patent US2434551 of January 13, 1948) [1] although similar devices had been in service for nearly a decade. It is a type of proximity fuze that initiates a detonator in a …   Wikipedia

  • radio proximity fuze — noun see proximity fuze …   Useful english dictionary

  • Contact fuze — A contact fuze, percussion fuze or direct action (D.A.) fuze (UK) is the fuze that is placed in the nose of a bomb or shell so that it will detonate on contact with a hard surface. Many impacts are unpredictable: they may involve a soft surface,… …   Wikipedia

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