[1] BTTN is used as a propellant in virtually all single-stage missiles used by the United States, including the Hellfire.

[2] It is less volatile, less sensitive to shock, and more thermally stable than nitroglycerine,[3] for which it is a promising replacement.

[3] The mixture can be made by co-nitration of butanetriol and glycerol.

[5] BTTN is also used as a plasticizer in some nitrocellulose-based propellants.

[7] Biotechnological manufacture of butanetriol is under intensive research.