Time Fuze: When is the delay initiated?

Time Fuze: When is the delay initiated?

• A. Delay is initiated at bomb release from the A/C (Alarm Clock fuze).
• B. Delay initiated on impact.
• C. Delay initiated during flight after a pre-set altitude.
• D. Delay occurs only after ground detonation.

Answer: (A)

Time fuzes are designed to produce an airburst at a specific point in flight by counting down a set delay. The timing starts the moment the bomb leaves the aircraft, so the clock runs while the munition is in free flight. This lets aircrew preset the desired detonation point, often just over the target for maximum effectiveness. If the delay were triggered on impact, or only after reaching a pre-set altitude, you wouldn’t be using a clock-based timing sequence—the detonation would depend on contact or altitude rather than a timed countdown. Ground detonation isn’t how a timed air-burst fuze operates, since its purpose is to explode at a chosen point in the air.

Time fuzes are designed to produce an airburst at a specific point in flight by counting down a set delay. The timing starts the moment the bomb leaves the aircraft, so the clock runs while the munition is in free flight. This lets aircrew preset the desired detonation point, often just over the target for maximum effectiveness. If the delay were triggered on impact, or only after reaching a pre-set altitude, you wouldn’t be using a clock-based timing sequence—the detonation would depend on contact or altitude rather than a timed countdown. Ground detonation isn’t how a timed air-burst fuze operates, since its purpose is to explode at a chosen point in the air.