airburst

n. explosion of bomb or ammunition in the air

An air burst occurs whenever an explosive device such as an anti-personnel artillery shell or a nuclear weapon is detonated in the air instead of on contact with the ground or target or a delayed armor piercing explosion.The principal advantage of an air burst over a ground burst is that the energy from the explosion (as well as any shrapnel) is distributed more evenly over a wider area, however the peak energy is lower.
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Noun
1. an explosion in the atmosphere
(hypernym) explosion, detonation, blowup

An explosion of a bomb or projectile above the surface as distinguished from an explosion on contact with the surface or after penetration. See also type of burst. 1/2/73

Explosion d'une bombe ou d'un projectile au-dessus de la surface du sol par opposition à une explosion au contact avec la surface du sol ou après pénétration dans le sol. Voir aussi type d'explosion. 1/2/73

Synonyms and related words:
altitude peak, automatic control, blast-off, burn, burnout, ceiling, descent, end of burning, flight, ignition, impact, launch, lift-off, rocket launching, shoot, shot, trajectory, velocity peak,