Puzzlement...

Colt Super

February 14, 2007 12:24

What ever happened to neutron bombs ??

D.

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  Horse Plains Drifter

  February 14, 2007 12:27

  Dunno, still around I think.

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  IAMACLONE_2

  February 14, 2007 12:39

  Good old Google said:
  
  A neutron bomb is a nuclear weapon whose high-energy neutron radiation is enhanced relative to the other lethal effects of nuclear weapons, that is blast, thermal radiation, and delayed radioactive effects through fallout. The alleged utility of neutron weapons is the effect of neutrons on humans without damage to structures or materials. A neutron weapon was alleged for some time to result in a rather sharply defined kill radius. That advantage turned out to be largely illusory because the variability of terrain and interposed structures would blur the sharpness of that radius and also because there is a wide gap between a radiation dose that would disable personnel and that would produce only latent, that is delayed, lethal effects. A residual utility for neutron weapons is against massed armor where the protective steel cover could be penetrated by neutrons. The U.S. deployed neutron weapons at home for a limited period. China tested such weapons in 1985 but never deployed them. Considering this history and the fact that military utility of such weapons is clearly marginal, the importance of the alleged loss of design information on neutron weapons is minor.
  
  The W-88 two-stage thermonuclear design leads to a weapon that is small in dimension and weight relative to its explosive power. It thus has made it possible for the U.S. to design the very slender re-entry vehicles that are incorporated into the multiple warhead independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) carried by elements of the U.S. submarine fleet. China has tested somewhat similar thermonuclear designs, which are, however, believed to be larger and more massive than their U.S. counterpart. China has not deployed any multiple warhead missiles. The alleged theft of the W-88 design thus raises the question whether this would enable China to adapt this design to deploy MIRVs in the future. Obviously this question cannot be conclusively answered nor can one conclude that China could not develop such multiple warhead missiles without access to U.S. information. Without nuclear tests this question is likely to remain moot.
  
  Maybe sold to Iran????

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  PJ

  February 14, 2007 13:01

  Perfect for an automotive anti-theft device. Vaporize the perp and not stain the interior.
  Pete

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