The decisive RDX research is placed in the 1930s at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Cyclonite is another name for the compound, while Research Department Explosive and Raw Demolition Explosive are both given as expansions of RDX. Stronger and deeper-diving submarine hulls raised the demand for depth charges that delivered more energy for the same mass and volume. The deliberately bland service name suited Britain's effort to conceal sensitive weapons work inside a large established arsenal. Woolwich's many existing buildings let experimental work proceed without the conspicuous construction of a new facility.
Chapter · 9:16-12:04
RDX research targets stronger depth charges
British work at the Royal Arsenal sought an explosive more energetic than TNT for attacking increasingly robust submarines.