In military munitions, a fuze is the part of the device that initiates its function. In some applications, such as torpedoes, a fuze may be identified by function as the exploder. The relative complexity of even the earliest fuze designs can be seen in cutaway diagrams.
Mk 53 Proximity fuze for an artillery shell, c. 1945
SD2 Butterfly bomb c. 1940 - wings rotate as bomb falls, unscrewing the arming spindle connected to the fuze
Avro Lancaster at RAF Metheringham. Note the "Fuzed" status, chalked on the nose of each bomb
Cross-sectional views of QF 2-pounder naval gun shells, showing percussion fuzes.
A proximity fuze is a fuze that detonates an explosive device automatically when it approaches within a certain distance of its target. Proximity fuzes are designed for elusive military targets such as airplanes and missiles, as well as ships at sea and ground forces. This sophisticated trigger mechanism may increase lethality by 5 to 10 times compared to the common contact fuze or timed fuze.
Proximity fuze MK53 removed from shell, circa 1950s
German World War II magnetic mine that landed on the ground instead of the water.
A 155mm artillery fuze with selector for point/proximity detonation (currently set to proximity).
