Detonics (and ballistics) in South Africa: A past, present and future perspective

Abstract

Detonics, the application of the science of detonation and related phenomena, plays an important role in energetic material studies within the wider field of ballistics. A small contingent of researchers and applicators within the commercial and defence community of South Africa have contributed to advancement of knowledge in this field. Due to historical circumstances and the unique requirements of the Southern African environment some of the contributions made were novel and feature as building blocks of much wider used current technology. In this paper a perspective is given on the South African scientific contributions related to this field and an assessment of future local challenges is made