Proximity fuze (VT fuze)
Espoleta de proximidad (VT fuze)
- Date
- 1940-1943 · confidence high
- Place
- Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
- Credited to
- Merle Tuve and the Applied Physics Laboratory (Johns Hopkins)
- People
- 👤 Merle Tuve1901–1982👤 Samuel Curran1912–1998👤 W. A. S. Butement1904–1990
- Field
- Conflict
What it is
A fuze with a miniature radar using shock-resistant valves that detonates the shell on approaching its target without needing an impact. It was first used in combat aboard USS Helena on 5 January 1943 and multiplied the effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire.
The British (Cockcroft, Butement) had floated the idea earlier; the US development and the miniaturisation of valves were the decisive achievement, and details were kept secret until 1945.
What it led to
- Second World War anti-aircraft defence
- shooting down V-1 flying bombs
- ruggedised military electronics