Re: [MAPC-discuss] X

Re: [MAPC-discuss] X

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-11-07

A little more on this indiscriminate, wide-area weapon from the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1641000/1641411.stm

It is a fuel-air weapon, the effect of which has been likened to that of a
nuclear bomb, albeit without the radiation.

[ . . . ]

When it explodes, it generates a massive pressure wave. Ordinarily,
atmospheric pressure is just over 1 kg/sq cm (14.2 psi). In a fuel-air
explosion the pressure reaches 30 kg/sq cm (426 psi).

The blast wave shoots out at supersonic speed. A secondary effect is that a
vacuum is created. Air and debris is then sucked back in, creating a
towering
mushroom-shaped cloud.

Fuel-air bombs are particularly terrible weapons Those not incinerated are
injured by the massive blast or the vacuum.

Typical injuries include concussion, blindness, rupture of the eardrums,
seared airways and collapsed lungs, multiple internal haemorrhages,
displaced
and torn internal organs.

The internal injuries are of a type which battle medics area not usually
trained to notice immediately.

Human rights groups say fuel-air weapons are so indiscriminate that their
use
in populated areas would violate international norms of war.

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Wednesday, November 07, 2001 10:22 AM

Re: [MAPC-discuss] X