Is there really a bomb that destroys living matter/people but leaves buildings intact? a 'neutron bomb'?

Question

or is this just a myth i learned as a kid? if not, has it ever been used outside of tests?

Answer 1

A Neutron bomb, also called an enhanced radiation bomb (ER weapon), is a fission-fusion thermonuclear weapon in which the burst of neutrons generated by the fusion reaction is intentionally not absorbed inside the weapon, but allowed to escape. The X-ray mirrors and shell of the weapon are made of chromium or nickel so that the neutrons are permitted to escape. Contrast this with cobalt bombs, also known as salted bombs.

Neutron bombs have low yields compared with other nuclear weapons. This is because neutrons are absorbed by air, so a high yielding neutron bomb would not be able to radiate neutrons beyond its blast range and so would have no practical advantage over a normal hydrogen bomb. Note that using the explosive yield of a neutron weapon to measure its destructive power can be deceptive: most of the injuries caused by a neutron weapon come from ionising radiation, not from heat and blast.

This intense burst of high-energy neutrons is intended as the principal mechanism of killing, although a large amount of heat and blast is also produced. A common idea is that a neutron bomb "leaves the infrastructure intact" however current designs have yields in the kiloton range,[9] the detonation of which could cause heavy destruction through blast and heat effects. A yield of one kiloton is not much for a nuclear weapon but it is nearly two orders of magnitude (100x) bigger than the most powerful conventional bombs. The blast from a neutron bomb may be enough to level almost any civilian structures inside the lethal radiation range.[10]

Answer 2

Yes it is true. The mechanism behind such bombs is to emit extreme radiation rather than the power of explosion upon hitting the target. So as a result, all living things within the target radius are killed, while structures like buildings remain intact. But even if this is the result, the target becomes useless just the same. Dangerous radioactive levels will continue to exist in the target area for many decades, even if the buildings, roads, and other infrastractures remain intact. This means that such area cannot be inhabited by living things such as humans, animals, plants, or insects because the land, water, and atmosphere of the area becomes contaminated with dangerous radioactivity.

Some may argue that radioactivity can be cleaned up afterwards, so that people can move in to settle in the place again. Well, this is easier said than done. Toxic wastes are very difficult to clean and dispose. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl attest to this. The place is still uninhabited up to this time after the accident occured in 1986. Many nations including the US, UK, Germany, and France assisted in de-contaminating the area. But despite of this effort, dangerous radioactivity still exists in the area that makes it impossible to be inhabited again at the present and for many decades more to come.

Answer 3

Neutron Bomb

Answer 4

A common idea is that a neutron bomb "leaves the infrastructure intact" however current designs have yields in the kiloton range, the detonation of which could cause heavy destruction through blast and heat effects.



Three types were built by the United States[3]. The W66 warhead for the anti-ICBM Sprint missile system was produced and deployed in the mid 70s and retired soon thereafter along with the missile system. The W70 Mod 3 warhead was developed for the short-range, tactical Lance missile, and the W79 Mod 0 was developed for artillery shells. The latter two types were retired by President George Bush in 1992 due to the end of the Cold War.[4][5] The last W70 Mod 3 warhead was dismantled in 1996[6], and the last remaining neutron bomb (W79 Mod 0) was dismantled by 2003 when the dismantling of all W79 variants was completed.[7].

France tested a neutron bomb at the Mururoa Atoll on June 24, 1980. Enhanced radiation weapons were also produced by France in the early 1980s, though they have since destroyed these weapons. The 1999 "Cox Report" indicates that China is able to produce neutron bombs[8], although no country is known to currently deploy them.

So yes they do exist and as you can see from this article it was used in the 1970's and the USA is accused of using it in 2003 in IRAQ. US accused of using neutron bombs-----------http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BA8304F2-89FE-49DC-8FB0-2212FE7889F7.htm

Answer 5

Well, this is the first time I've seen people get it so wrong.

It is called a Hydrogen bomb and yes it was scrapped in the late 70's without use in warfare. It was deemed too effective and hence inhumane to just kill the people and not destroy the equipment and buildings without a lot of radiation.

The idea was that it destroyed a component which makes up flesh, but is very rare in things such as steel.

Answer 6

Yes, there is such a bomb. They are really neat in that they kill all living beings in the blast area but do not hurt building, money in banks or anything else. There is also no residual radiation requiring a cleanup; you can move right in and take over; until the next guy sets one off.

Answer 7

I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on The Christmas tree, I wish I was the star that went on top I wish I was the evidence, I wish I was the grounds For 50 million hands upraised and open toward the sky

Answer 8

It was under development in the 1970's but the project was abandoned, at least publicly.

Answer 9

I heard somewhere that the Sabot round that an M1A1 fires, can go through a tank and use kinetic energy to destroy everything....

I heard a rumor that when that Sabot round hits the tank and goes through it, the pressure inside the enemy tank gets so intense. Then when the round exits the tank, everything and everyone inside gets sucked out of that exit hole... Pretty much leaving all the people inside looking like hamburger meat coming out.,.... If thats true, then that would work somewhat like what your asking...

Answer 10

it is becuase of the particles that are released are well going through the solid material but harm the living DNA. thats why.
the initiation /fuze is nuclear so the BAAAng would happen anyway