Depleted uranium is actually a bit disfavored since most of the harm from handling the ammunition actually falls on the military using it. You get shot with a

Depleted uranium is actually a bit disfavored since most of the harm from handling the ammunition actually falls on the military using it. You get shot with a cannon round once, but someone needed to load and carry that round for days on end - it does have some really unfortunate side effects if it remains perpetually in an environment but it isn't enriched - it's depleted and, honestly, landmines are still a thing and cause way more damage. My understanding is that DU tends to be favored for three primary reasons(ish) 1. It's super dense and thus packs a super hard punch in terms of momentum you can slug at a distance for a given caliber barrel. 2. It's incredibly hard and can deflect things that steel can't stand a chance against. 3. That momentum from firing is often high enough that it actually ignites on impact in most circumstances, causing a lot more material damage to whatever you're shooting. DU might honestly be phased out soon anyways - it's primary strengths are that it's wicked heavy and not stupid soft like lead, but there are some replacements out there for it and a lot of countries have signed on to banning it in warfare - just not the big ones yet.