Radiological weapon: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
a little more... |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
A '''radiological weapon''' is any weapon that is designed to spread [[radioactivity]], either to kill, or to deny the use of an area (a modern version of [[salting the earth]]). They are often called [[dirty bomb]]s. |
A '''radiological weapon''' is any weapon that is designed to spread [[radioactivity]], either to kill, or to deny the use of an area (a modern version of [[salting the earth]]). They are often called [[dirty bomb]]s. |
||
Radiological weapons are not deployed by any military forces, |
Radiological weapons are not deployed by any military forces. Firstly, the use of such a weapon is of no use to an occupying force, as the target area becomes uninhabitable. The same amount of effort put into a [[nuclear bomb]] would have far more power. Area-denial weapons are generally of somewhat limited use so the need for a radioactive denial system is limited. |
||
[[Loe Szilard]] once referred to a cobalt-salted device to illustrate a design that could, in theory, wipe out all human life. This has generated some talk of a "doomsday bomb" by those that do not understand the physics involved. |
[[Loe Szilard]] once referred to a cobalt-salted device to illustrate a design that could, in theory, wipe out all human life. This has generated some talk of a "doomsday bomb" by those that do not understand the physics involved. |
||
Useless as they may be to a nuclear-armed military force, the weapons are an excellent terror weapon. They do not require weapons-grade materials, and may not need explosive of any sort. |
Useless as they may be to a nuclear-armed military force, the weapons are an excellent terror weapon. They do not require weapons-grade materials, and may not need explosive of any sort. The high-grade material needed for nuclear fuel or bombs is unnecessary--nuclear waste will suffice. Anything from [[dynamite]] to compressed air could be used to [[aerosol]] the waste into the air. Common nuclear waste materials could be used, such as Cesium-137, commonly used in radiological medical equipment. |
||
Revision as of 18:33, 10 June 2002
A radiological weapon is any weapon that is designed to spread radioactivity, either to kill, or to deny the use of an area (a modern version of salting the earth). They are often called dirty bombs.
Radiological weapons are not deployed by any military forces. Firstly, the use of such a weapon is of no use to an occupying force, as the target area becomes uninhabitable. The same amount of effort put into a nuclear bomb would have far more power. Area-denial weapons are generally of somewhat limited use so the need for a radioactive denial system is limited.
Loe Szilard once referred to a cobalt-salted device to illustrate a design that could, in theory, wipe out all human life. This has generated some talk of a "doomsday bomb" by those that do not understand the physics involved.
Useless as they may be to a nuclear-armed military force, the weapons are an excellent terror weapon. They do not require weapons-grade materials, and may not need explosive of any sort. The high-grade material needed for nuclear fuel or bombs is unnecessary--nuclear waste will suffice. Anything from dynamite to compressed air could be used to aerosol the waste into the air. Common nuclear waste materials could be used, such as Cesium-137, commonly used in radiological medical equipment.