Ya'll got it right, even the compound.

Semtex is better. More bang per pound! Why dont western military use it ?

While "shredding enemies" might be an occaisional use of explosives, C4 and similar stuff is used primarily as demolitions-like blowing trees, obstacles, bridges breaching and similar applications.
Claymore mines had C4 as a propellant, but I believe kinder gentler days may have rendered them un-PC.

I'm sure today we have improved and more effective explosives.

It was designed after C3 hence the name C4

Originally Posted by sven hassell

Semtex is better. More bang per pound! Why dont western military use it ?

I believe some still use it, but there are better things around then Semtex now.

If I don't remember wrong Semtex has a detonation/explosive velocity of around +7.000m/s in unconfined space.
C4 has around 8.000-8.400m/s, depending on the mixture (there are a few almost identical explosives to C4 just with different names).
And here in Norway and a few other western countries HMX plastic explosive is pretty common for military use, with a velocity over 9.000m/s it's a pretty nice "toy" for demolition work.

ah c-4, the lovable explosive that if used correctly can be controlled enough to breach a door and deadly enough to level a building. <3

Whatever happened to tactical nukes? If you're gonna do it, ya might as well make sure there aren't any witnesses!

Originally Posted by Jay

ah c-4, the lovable explosive that if used correctly can be controlled enough to breach a door and deadly enough to level a building. <3

did you forget heating chow and water........ every woodsman who hunts should have a block or two.........

Originally Posted by sven hassell

Semtex is better. More bang per pound! Why dont western military use it ?

can you use it for heating water? LRP (LURPS) rations are ugly if you don't have hot water - the *Chili* is ugly regardless of how you prepare it... it is best droped behind to let the enemy find it......... kills em off like rats, must be banned by the GConv as inhumane.

Originally Posted by sven hassell

Semtex is better. More bang per pound! Why dont western military use it ?

Semtex - the explosive of choice for your average Irish republican terrorist.