[[Image:MK53 fuze.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|Proximity fuze MK53 removed from shell, circa 1950s]]
A '''proximity fuze''' (also VT fuze, or fuse<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hopkins Engineer Dies|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/06/25/hopkins-engineer-dies/0b56de1f-3992-4773-b18d-6fdd41f21f7e/|access-date=2020-06-09|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Walter|date=1984-02-08|title=Allen V. Astin Is Dead at 79; Headed Bureau of Standards|language=en-US|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/08/obituaries/allen-v-astin-is-dead-at-79-headed-bureau-of-standards.html|access-date=2020-06-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Birch|first=Douglas|title='The secret weapon of World War II' Hopkins developed proximity fuse|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-01-11-1993011049-story.html|access-date=2020-06-09 |website=baltimoresun.com|date=11 January 1993 |language=en-US}}</ref>) is a [[Fuze (munitions)|fuze]] that detonates an [[Explosive material|explosive]] device automatically when it approaches within a certain distance of its target. Proximity fuzes are designed for elusive military targets such as airplanes and missiles, as well as ships at sea and ground forces. This sophisticated trigger mechanism may increase lethality by 5 to 10 times compared to the common [[contact fuze]] or timed fuze.<ref name=Portrait>{{cite journal|last1=Hinman|first1=Wilbur S|title=Portrait of Harry Diamond |journal=Proceedings of the IRE|volume=45|issue=4|date=1957|page=443|doi=10.1109/JRPROC.1957.278430}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-D592VR4RU The Proximity Fuse - Secret Weapon of World War 2]''US Navy''</ref>
