5 ms·

It might be nice if they had a chemical decay trigger that required regular replacement, or else they'd self-detonate. That should simplify cleanup.

leobg 2y ago
If that shouldn’t be called “technical debt” I don’t know what else.
Someone 2y ago
> It might be nice if they had a chemical decay trigger that required regular replacement, or else they'd self-detonate I doubt anybody would want that in their storage bunkers. It’s worse enough to have munitions that may self-detonate if kept alone, but ones that are designed to do that? Also, such a system would have to be very robust. It would have to survive impact and explosions around it. I think this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_munition#Unexploded_ordnance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_munition#Unexploded_or...) would be more reliable: “In the 1980s the Spanish firm Esperanza y Cia developed a 120 mm caliber mortar bomb which contained 21 anti-armor submunitions. What made the 120 mm "Espin" unique was the electrical impact fusing system which totally eliminated dangerous duds. The system operated on a capacitor in each submunition which was charged by a wind generator in the nose of the projectile after being fired. If for whatever reason the electrical fuse fails to function on impact, approximately 5 minutes later the capacitor bleeds out, therefore neutralizing the submunition's electronic fuse system.” That comes close. You shouldn’t toss unexploded ones in a fire or run around with it to get its fan spinning, but it would make them fairly safe to handle.
WJW 2y ago
It's not really all that desirable to have explosives detonate at unpredictable moments. Not all these bombs are in rural areas, many of them are in the middle of cities or otherwise in locations where it would be really really nice to warn surrounding citizens of any upcoming explosions so that they can make sure not to be nearby.
bluGill 2y ago
They do the opposite these days - they decay to something that cannot explode after a short time. However the chemistry of this is complex and has trade offs: it isn't always appropriate for the needs. Even though some munitions do decay to harmless it isn't safe to assume anything is or will unless you are a trained expert in bomb disposal. It prevents a few accidents (or would - I don't know if any of these have been used in an actual war and so they may just be in warehouses waiting to get the final charge and be used)

leobg 2y ago

If that shouldn’t be called “technical debt” I don’t know what else.

Someone 2y ago

> It might be nice if they had a chemical decay trigger that required regular replacement, or else they'd self-detonate I doubt anybody would want that in their storage bunkers. It’s worse enough to have munitions that may self-detonate if kept alone, but ones that are designed to do that? Also, such a system would have to be very robust. It would have to survive impact and explosions around it. I think this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_munition#Unexploded_ordnance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_munition#Unexploded_or...) would be more reliable: “In the 1980s the Spanish firm Esperanza y Cia developed a 120 mm caliber mortar bomb which contained 21 anti-armor submunitions. What made the 120 mm "Espin" unique was the electrical impact fusing system which totally eliminated dangerous duds. The system operated on a capacitor in each submunition which was charged by a wind generator in the nose of the projectile after being fired. If for whatever reason the electrical fuse fails to function on impact, approximately 5 minutes later the capacitor bleeds out, therefore neutralizing the submunition's electronic fuse system.” That comes close. You shouldn’t toss unexploded ones in a fire or run around with it to get its fan spinning, but it would make them fairly safe to handle.

WJW 2y ago

It's not really all that desirable to have explosives detonate at unpredictable moments. Not all these bombs are in rural areas, many of them are in the middle of cities or otherwise in locations where it would be really really nice to warn surrounding citizens of any upcoming explosions so that they can make sure not to be nearby.

bluGill 2y ago

They do the opposite these days - they decay to something that cannot explode after a short time. However the chemistry of this is complex and has trade offs: it isn't always appropriate for the needs. Even though some munitions do decay to harmless it isn't safe to assume anything is or will unless you are a trained expert in bomb disposal. It prevents a few accidents (or would - I don't know if any of these have been used in an actual war and so they may just be in warehouses waiting to get the final charge and be used)