What did the Army say? NO GO. It was "too successful" and indiscriminate. It set of EVERYTHING that was not command detonated. How many troops did we lose on routes we flew? Zero to VBIDs/IEDs. How many did we lose to KIA/WIA when our program shut down? Dozens.
I'd still like to find the SOB that came up with that decision.
And you know what?
I bet they’d have no qualms using this system “domestically”.
I think in fielding weapon systems the viewpoint of the guys in field should have enormous weight, and political and public relations considerations almost zero.
Imagine if MSNBC had been covering flame throwers in Okinawa or Iwo Jima. They’d have a coronary. Hell, let the Japs know what’s coming, they’d have a whole lot less piss and vinegar.
This country is no longer serious about winning wars, and hasn’t been for about 70 years.