what is counter intuitive about the defense industry is that the development of new weapons like this (and the other weapons you have mentioned) have actually i

what is counter intuitive about the defense industry is that the development of new weapons like this (and the other weapons you have mentioned) have actually increased peace in the world. Certainly not the ONLY reason to be fair. A great book on this is "The Better Angles of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined" by Stephen Pinker. I recommend any pacifist (really anyone) read this book. While we hear about the immense destructive power of new weapons, the reality is that they are seldom used. Most of our Defense budget is building an army that no one would dare attack. It is like our nuclear bomb policy -- 100% guaranteed retaliatory strike(s) but no first strike. This project is designed to replace expensive missiles with (relatively) inexpensive inert metal slugs that yield the same capabilities (range, stopping power, etc). This is most definitely a program that would lower costs and increase discretionary funding outside of the military.