Navy wants 'safer' bomb

[Colonel Ronan]

There is no safe bomb.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727776.200-us-navy-seeks-safer-bomb.html

COULD a variable-yield bomb reduce the number of innocent people killed or injured during an air attack targeting enemy soldiers? That's the thinking behind a US navy plan to develop a "dial-a-blast" bomb.

The navy is seeking proposals from companies to create a bomb weighing 200 kilograms that can either be detonated at full or reduced power. The idea is that the device could be loaded onto planes before a target has been identified, and the explosive power set by the pilot once a target is known. If there is a risk of killing civilians, then the explosive power can be reduced to ensure a small blast radius. In an unpopulated area the bomb, currently known as the Selectable Output Weapon, could be set so that it has the same power as a regular bomb of the same size. Carrying a single bomb would make it easier and cheaper for the navy to arm its planes.

 

[CelticKing]

lol safer bomb? it still kills doesnt it?

 

[MikeDC]

Heh, that's a stupid idea. On the other hand, safer bombs isn't. One was accidentally blown up on an aircraft carrier my dad was on and killed a bunch of people.

 

[CelticKing]

^ Yeah that's different Mike, in that case they can improve them so that they're stable etc., but to say they want a bomb that they can control it's power, you're still killing with it..its not any safer.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

They can be safer for the people shooting the rocket, sure.