Density gradient booster pellet for insensitive explosive formulations

A density gradient booster pellet, comprising:

• an insensitive cylindrically-shaped explosive pellet having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis spanning from said proximal end to said distal end;
• wherein said insensitive cylindrically-shaped explosive pellet having a plurality of relative percent theoretical maximum density (TMD) zones from said proximal end to said distal end, said plurality of relative percent TMD zones having an increasing relative percent TMD from said proximal end to said distal end;
• wherein said plurality of relative percent TMD zones having first, second, third, and fourth relative percent TMD zones;
• a density gradient region defined by said third and fourth relative percent TMD zones, said density gradient region having a linearly increasing relative percent TMD of 81 percent to 95 percent from said proximal end and through said third and fourth relative percent TMD zones;
• and
• a full density region defined by said first and second relative percent TMD zones, said full density region having a substantially-constant relative percent TMD of 95 to 97 percent;
• wherein sensitivity of said insensitive cylindrically-shaped explosive pellet decreases from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein explosive output of said insensitive cylindrically-shaped explosive pellet increases from said proximal end to said distal end.