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, sparking curiosity about its intended use.
Initially, it may seem like the army is planning to bake cakes, but the truth is far from it. Powdered sugar is actually an excellent fuel for pyrotechnic mixtures, requiring only an oxidizer and an ignition source to complete the composition.
According to Task & Purpose, the powdered sugar will be used to manufacture M18 and M83 smoke grenades and M8 smoke cartridges. These devices need a fuel that burns quickly and produces a large volume of smoke.
Powdered sugar is mixed with a powerful oxidizer, such as potassium nitrate, so that when ignited, the mixture does not explode but instead generates dense smoke rapidly.
- Powdered sugar is chosen over crystalline sugar due to its fine particles having a larger surface area.
- The army's purchase is for manufacturing smoke devices, not for baking.
Author's summary: The U.S. Army buys 30 tons of powdered sugar for smoke devices.