Message no. 1

From:	William Monroe Ashe <wma6617@*******.TAMU.EDU>
Subject:	Shaped Charges in Real Life
Date:	Fri, 11 Oct 1996 09:29:03 -0500

Yes Virginia shaped charges do exist. ALL modern antitank missles use
them. A shaped charge is made by shaping the explosive so that MOST of
the blast will go in one direction. Any standing around is still bummin'
though.
The most common is to have the explosive molded into a conical shape.
The detonator is placed at the narrow end and the wide end hits the
target. The shockwave from the explosive detonating behind will keep the
blast moving forward.

Did this answer your question? This is the way it was explained to me so
if its wrong its not my fault.

regards
Bill