self-destruct charge

self-destruct charge

[¦self di¦strəkt ′chärj]
(ordnance)
An explosive element which operates in conjunction with that part of the guided missile which, of itself or by command, senses a catastrophic flight malfunction and destroys the missile.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
He was criticised for having failed to activate his aircraft's self-destruct charge to destroy the camera, photographic film, and related classified parts of his aircraft before his capture.
U-2 SPY PLANE CRISIS; SOVIET UNION PARADED CAPTURED PILOT AFTER SHOOTING DOWN PLANE AT HEIGHT OF COLD WAR
The QF-4 drone, which reportedly started several small fires in the vicinity of the crash, is armed with a small self-destruct charge, which the Air Force believes may be a hazard to anyone approaching the downed vehicle.
QF-4 Drone Crashes Near Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base, Shutting Down Highway 98
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