[Poohbah]

IIRC, even the fabled W-88 warhead only releases 0.5% of its mass as energy.

[MHGinTN]

IF a controlled annihilation could be constructed, the production of anti-matter, then the putting together would be analogous to charging batteries to be used remotely from the charging factory ... it could be quite useful! Space travel, for instance, sending probes extraorbital.

[SkyRat]

IIRC, even the fabled W-88 warhead only releases 0.5% of its mass as energy.

I stand corrected.

[Dead Dog]

IIRC, even the fabled W-88 warhead only releases 0.5% of its mass as energy.

Seems like my undergrad course in Modern Physics put the mass-energy conversion rate for a theoretical Anti-hydrogen weapon at 80%, .5% seems right for Fusion devices. I don't remember what the assumptions were to these numbers, but they do give a reference to the destructive potential of such a device.

I also remember reading a pulp science article (Popular Science/Mechanics) about a satellite that would sit in orbit charging up an antimatter stockpile and then, when triggered, would annihilate itself vaporizing the cities beneath it. It was supposed to act like a shape charge, sort of a strategic Claymore. Sounds delightful.