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To: Ptarmigan; editor-surveyor

For what it is worth, there is a very popular misconception of "neutron bomb" as being something that destroys people and not buildings. In fact, it is just as devastating as a non-"neutron" nuclear weapon of about a third the destructive yield. So, a 50kT "neutron" bomb would destroy just about the same size city as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, although it would kill more people, and further away, by radiation.


128 posted on 11/15/2004 5:42:04 AM PST by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: AFPhys

"Also called ENHANCED RADIATION WARHEAD, specialized type of small thermonuclear weapon that produces minimal blast and heat but which releases large amounts of lethal radiation. The neutron bomb delivers blast and heat effects that are confined to an area of only a few hundred yards in radius. But within a somewhat larger area it throws off a massive wave of neutron and gamma radiation, which can penetrate armour or several feet of earth. This radiation is extremely destructive to living tissue. Because of its short-range destructiveness and the absence of long-range effect, the neutron bomb would be highly effective against tank and infantry formations on the battlefield but would not endanger cities or other population centres only a few miles away. It can be carried in a Lance missile or delivered by an 8-inch (200-millimetre) howitzer, or possibly by attack aircraft.

In strategic terms, the neutron bomb has a theoretical deterrent effect: discouraging an armoured ground assault by arousing the fear of neutron bomb counterattack. The bomb would disable enemy tank crews in minutes, and those exposed would die within days. U.S. production of the bomb was postponed in 1978 and resumed in 1981."


139 posted on 11/15/2004 7:01:35 AM PST by Edgerunner (The left ain't right. Hand me that launch pickle...)
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To: AFPhys

Thank you for clarifyng me about the neutron bomb.


168 posted on 11/15/2004 11:02:42 AM PST by Ptarmigan (Proud rabbit hater and killer)
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