MoD admits use of controversial 'enhanced blast' weapons in Afghanistan

[babsbunny]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/28/british-pilots-afghanistan-thermobaric-weapons

British pilots in Afghanistan are firing an increasing number of "enhanced blast" thermobaric weapons, designed to kill everyone in buildings they strike, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

Since the start of this year more than 20 of the US-designed missiles, which have what is officially described as a "blast fragmentation warhead", have been fired by pilots of British Apache attack helicopters. A total of 20 were also fired last year after they were bought by the MoD from the Americans last May.

The missiles are a variant of the AGM-114N Hellfire missile, described by the Pentagon as "designed to produce higher sustained blast pressure in multi-room structures.

[Forkboy]

1. Got to love the military jargon they come up with to make killing more palatable.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. EIT.

Enhanced Implosion Torture

[jody]

3. Outstanding, sure to get more bang for the buck aka innocent civilians murdered. Good for our new

Commander in Chief finding more efficient ways to slaughter children.

[wuvuj]

4. Sounds like what the Israelis used in Gaza?

Uses or produces some kind of metal powder?...drives metal fragments deep into tissue...wounded can't be saved.

Not as terrible as a beheading though...... :sarcasm: And if you can do it remotely...you don't get your hands or mind dirty.

[ddiver]

5. That is not the way the metal is used in this bomb.

In the 1990s, the Energetics Materials and Ordnance Components Branch worked with China Lake and others to develop nonliquid FAEs containing aluminum particles. The goal was a solid FAE with a greater impulse (pressure over time) than conventional explosives. They were successful in developing a class of explosives that demonstrated greater impulse than non-augmented explosives. The work received a classified US Patent and was the basis for the MAC warhead.

The new warhead contains a fluorinated aluminum powder layered between the warhead casing and the PBXN-112 explosive fill. When the PBXN-112 detonates, the aluminum mixture is dispersed and rapidly burns. The resultant sustained high pressure is extremely effective against enemy personnel and structures

This was designed to have a sustained over-pressure that can penetrate a multi-room floor level. It actually is designed for urban use, in that it doesn't knock the house down and attempts to contain the affects to the single floor.

[bemildred]

7. Are you saying the Israelis don't have it?

Not trying to pick a fight, I'm just not clear on what your point is.

[ddiver]

8. Are the Israelis in Afghanistan? That is what the article was about.

The bombs being discussed are being used in Afghanistan.

[wuvuj]

9. I stated on a forum...

...as the Iraq war was starting...that the US was copying Israel in Iraq. My guess is that Israel tests these weapons....then the US uses them. Palestinians...Iraqis....Afghans...same game....kill, kill, kill...then blame the victim...they do terrible things? :eyes:

As far as the weapon...some of the "fuel" won't be burnt, thus the particles...basic ingredients could be used in different ordinances?

[ddiver]

10. No, you are confusing this bomb for a DIME type ordinance.

Google is your friend.

[bemildred]

6. Oh heck, who would want to use a "generic blast" weapon anyway?

Do they have "DeLuxe blast" weapons? "Executive blast" weapons? This is all so gauche.

Edit: I mean, only losers would use and "economy blast" weapon.

[Octafish]

11. What? White Phosphorus isn't working?

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/08/afghanistan-nato-should-come-clean-white-phosphorus

Oh yeah. Can someone please refresh my memory as to what role the Afghan people played in September 11?