The Tu-160 Blackjack is the main bomber force in the Russian Air Force. Part of its main armament in the book is the fuel air explosive cruise missile. The airburst missile works by having two explosive charges and a container of explosive propellant. The first detonation releases the gaseous fuel from the container. The second explosions is delayed to give the gas enough time to spread. When the second charge detonates, the air is essentially set on fire due to the fuel in the air.