'Agent Defeat Weapons' Ready For Use

New Scientist ^ | 2-21-2003

[blam]

'Agent defeat weapons' ready for use

11:01 21 February 03

NewScientist.com news service

Prototypes of unconventional munitions designed to destroy stores of chemical and biological weapons could see their first use in Iraq, analysts believe.

UN weapon inspectors have not uncovered any chemical and biological weapons (CBWs), and fierce international debate continues over the necessity of military action to ensure Iraq has disarmed.

But Iraq has failed to account for large quantities of CBWs and if these were discovered during a conflict, their rapid destruction would be a very high priority. The US military is developing several variants of precision-guided "agent defeat weapons" (ADWs) and some are close to entering service, says Clifford Beale, editor-in-chief at Jane's Defence Weekly.

"Much of this work is classified, but it would seem reasonable to assume that an ADW capability would be available," he told New Scientist. "A good deal of work in this area has already been done."

[Southack]

[hchutch]

Any ideas on what exactly they might be talking about?

[my right]

No more than what that tag line of yours means.

[SubMareener]

Sub-kiloton nucs.

[Poohbah]

Possibly some tailoring of the explosives--you could (theoretically) produce deflagration products that would react with the agents and render them inert.