U.S. Army's Unconventional Purchase: 30 Tons of Powdered Sugar
The U.S. Army's Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas has ordered 29.5 metric tons of powdered sugar, prompting curiosity about its intended use.
According to Task & Purpose, the powdered sugar will be used to manufacture M18 and M83 smoke grenades and M8 smoke cartridges, which require a fuel that burns quickly and produces a large volume of smoke.
Powdered sugar is an excellent fuel for pyrotechnic mixtures.
The powdered sugar is mixed with a powerful oxidizer, such as potassium nitrate, to generate dense smoke rapidly when ignited. The fine particles of powdered sugar have a larger surface area compared to crystalline sugar, making it a preferred choice.
The three essential elements for any explosive or smoke composition are an oxidizer, an ignition source, and a fuel, and the powdered sugar serves as the fuel in this case.
Author's summary: US Army buys 30 tons of powdered sugar for smoke grenades.
- M18 smoke grenades
- M83 smoke grenades
- M8 smoke cartridges