Slashdot Mirror
Army Researchers Patent Self-destructing Bullet Designed To Save Lives (networkworld.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Researchers from the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center recently patented a new type of bullet capable of self-destructing after traveling over a predetermined distance. The idea behind the new and advanced projectile is that it might help limit the extent of collateral damage (read: innocents dying) during battle or in other operational settings and environments. As for how it all works, the U.S. Army explains that when one of these limited-range projectiles is fired, a pyrotechnical material is ignited at the same time and reacts with a special coating on the bullet. "The pyrotechnic material ignites the reactive material, and if the projectile reaches a maximum desired range prior to impact with a target," the Army writes, "the ignited reactive material transforms the projectile into an aerodynamically unstable object." The researchers add that the desired range of its limited-range projectile can be adjusted by switching up the reactive materials used. Put simply, the Army has come up with what effectively amounts to a self-destructing bullet that is rendered ineffective over certain distances.
No, you lug around 40 pounds of ammo with a range set at the maximum effective range of your weapon. Then if you miss your shot doesn't go on to create a friendly fire casualty when it goes on to hit a guy you couldn't even see from the position you fired it.
Is there any data on how much of an issue this is? Even in a war zone? It seems like in an area of active engagement, stray bullets from a distance would be on the low end of things that cause collateral damage. I mean, we have bombs getting dropped from aircraft and missiles being shot from drones. I'd be willing to bet that even a tiny increase in the specificity of those types of weapons would save far more lives than limiting the lethal range of bullets.
An interesting anagram of "BANACH TARSKI" is "BANACH TARSKI BANACH TARSKI"
The point of war is to cause so much damage to your opponent that they give up whatever they were fighting for
But that is NOT the point, necessarily, of every Special Forces operation. Or the circumstances in which SWAT operators have to do their thing. I can see wanting a high-powered rifle round that is absolutely devastating at close and intermediate distances but which quickly begins to tumble and rapidly bleed off velocity down range. That feature is not inconsistent with causing "so much damage" to bad guys, but it can help preserve the lives of non-combatants that are a kilometer away.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
As an honorably discharged Specialist in the US Army I say, "Go fuck yourself... Sir!"
I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.