Wednesday, September 20, 2006

THE RUSTLE OF A 20 MEGATON BOMB

Readers of “The Sunday Times” may have seen a reference to this item in last week’s paper, but it struck me as so surreal that it gets a bit of a repeat here. The world of Arms Manufacture is apperently not quite as nasty as you might have thought – it is now developing a green, friendly, warm and fuzzy face.

BAE Systems who are one of the biggest players in the game, are now involved in developing what they call “green” weapons. Their idea is to push towards such things as “lead free” bullets, and a reduction in the toxic compounds all the machinery the Armed Forces use as these “can harm the environment, and pose a risk to people!" I should bloody well hope they do!

The MoD is also proposing quieter warheads, and grenades which produce less smoke, thus reducing noise pollution and cleaner air. Oh, that's alright then.

The lady in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility at BAE Systems, whose name, I kid you not is Debbie, (Dr. Debbie mind you), says that “Weapons are going to be used and when they are, we are going to make them as safe for the user as possible, to limit the collateral damage, and to impact as little as possible on the environment”. The concept of a Multi-Megaton Nuclear whopper, which aims at minimum environmental impact, is a fascinating concept. Does it destroy somewhere like Sheffield, without anyone actually noticing? If so, what's the point?

They are also into safer and sustainable artillery, by producing “insensitive” shell explosives. These, it seem, do not blow up accidentally, which must be seen as a bit of a bonus for those people currently making them in South Wales. They will now have an unlimited shelf life, so you don’t need to dispose of them, although, if you do want to, they are also looking at converting the waste explosives into compost.

Make your grass grow with a Bang, Watch your plants explode with Life!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Come friendly bombs and fall on Sheffield...

rogerc said...

And quite right too, but where next if you've more than one device? Oh, the choice.

Anonymous said...

Redditch.