What is an example of a weapon effect that causes fragmentation damage?

Fragmentation damage refers to the damage caused by the shrapnel or fragments produced when a munition detonates. Weapons that produce a blast effect commonly include explosives that are designed to create a shock wave, as well as projectiles that break apart upon impact.

When a blast occurs, it can disintegrate any solid material in the vicinity, leading to a dispersion of fragments that can strike nearby targets with high velocity. This shrapnel is responsible for causing both immediate physical damage as well as injuries to personnel in the area. Fragmentation is a significant aspect of the lethality of many conventional munitions, especially hand grenades, artillery shells, and certain types of bombs specifically designed to produce a large number of tiny, sharp fragments.

In contrast, incendiary weapons are designed to start fires and produce thermal damage rather than fragmentation effects. Armor-piercing (AP) munitions are specialized to penetrate armor but do not create fragmentation damage like blast weapons do. Cratering munitions are primarily meant to create craters in the ground and are associated with effects such as disruption of vehicular movement rather than fragmentation per se. Thus, the example emphasizing fragmentation damage aligns directly with the characteristics of blast weapon effects.