The Navy is in search of a "safer" bomb

[racing_kitty]

In a bid to reduce civilian casualties, the Navy is looking into a Selectable Output Weapon (dial-a-blast, basically). Link to story here

The navy is seeking proposals from companies to create a bomb weighing 200 kilograms that can either be detonated at full or reduced power. The idea is that the device could be loaded onto planes before a target has been identified, and the explosive power set by the pilot once a target is known. If there is a risk of killing civilians, then the explosive power can be reduced to ensure a small blast radius.

Personally and professionally, I'm interested in seeing if that technology really works. Reduction of collateral damage is good when trying to win hearts and minds. I wish I could be part of testing out the RSP's though.

 

[0699]

Bet ya it's harder to safe...

 

[AWP]

While that's a pretty cool idea I'm almost against it because of task-saturation in the cockpit. How many JDAMs were dropped on the wrong coordinates during the opening months of OEF-A? Pilots have CFIT enough as is, now they have to determine what blast the mission requires? Or a JTAC will have to make that call and hope the pilot dials it in properly?

Besides, I'm sure Boris and Natasha are awaiting this technology.

 

[Etype]

If gun runs aren't safe enough and you're that worried about collateral, then maybe you should just pack it up and move to the 6 o'clock.

 

[car]

If gun runs aren't safe enough and you're that worried about collateral, then maybe you should just pack it up and move to the 6 o'clock.

WTF are you talking about?

 

[racing_kitty]

In a bid to reduce civilian casualties, the Navy is looking into a Selectable Output Weapon (dial-a-blast, basically). Link to story here




Personally and professionally, I'm interested in seeing if that technology really works. Reduction of collateral damage is good when trying to win hearts and minds. I wish I could be part of testing out the RSP's though.

If gun runs aren't safe enough and you're that worried about collateral, then maybe you should just pack it up and move to the 6 o'clock.

Apparently you are quite confused about the nature of my post. PM inbound.

 

[Teufel]

We'll see how it works out, enough bombs dud as it is without this additional fancy technology.

 

[Etype]

WTF are you talking about?

A "safer bomb"... SDMs are a pretty "small/safe" blast as it is, and gun runs are preffered in theater over bombs to reduce collateral. So if a gun run or smaller bomb isn't sufficient, then why drop a bomb at all?

And as for rendering safe, we just had a guy killed on Bragg a couple months ago with a munition that hasn't been dropped since '95. It was a submunition of course, and was buried 12" deep and was still sensitive enough to be detonated by a man. That's pretty light pressure- 170-200 pounds through a foot of dirt.