GUDN was discovered by Abraham Langlet, a chemist at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, and patented in 1997.[1] The moniker FOX-12 stems from the Swedish-language acronym for the Agency, FOI, plus x for "explosive."[2]
Applications
GUDN is particularly valued for its extreme stability and insensitivity.
GUDN is also used in a 60/40 mix with RDX as a propellant in the UNIFLEX 2 IM modular artillery charge system fielded in the BAE155mm/L52 Archer howitzer.[4]
Explosive
Blended in equal parts with TNT, GUDN forms the a melt-castable explosive known as GUNTOL. A variation adding 15% Aluminum is known as GUNTONAL.[5]
Explosive character
Upon detonation, GUDN undergoes a thermal decomposition which is not entirely understood as of 2021.[6] The calculated detonation velocity is 8235 m/s, with a detonation pressure of 25.89 GPa, and a detonation temperature of 2887 K.[7]
^SE 9701897D0, Langlet, Abraham, "Compound consisting of guanyl urea dinitramide, explosive containing the compound and use of the compound in gas generators.", issued 1997-05-21, assigned to Swedish Defence Research Agency