[CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS, PREVENTION: Medium-caliber uranium weapons

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

US set to discontinue depleted uranium in medium calibre ammunition



Dave Cullen
International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons
January 15, 2010

It has emerged that the United States is seeking alternatives to 
depleted uranium for the future development and production of medium 
calibre bullets for its armed forces, although US government sources 
have declined to confirm the reasons behind the decision.

The dramatic change in policy will affect the future development of 25 
mm and 30 mm rounds, which at present are used in the Bradley Fighting 
Vehicle and the A-10 Thunderbolt Aircraft. The A10 Thunderbolt was 
responsible for the majority of depleted uranium contamination in Iraq, 
and almost all the contamination in the Balkans.

M919 25mm ammunition ICBUW has confirmed with Maneuver Ammunition 
Systems - the US government body which manages ammunition procurement 
for the US military - that a strategic decision has been made to move 
away from uranium in medium calibre rounds. To this end, a $2 million 
clean-up programme of the facility used to test fire the 25mm M919 DU 
round for Bradley vehicles is nearing completion. However, another range 
has been retained for future testing of the 30mm PGU-14/B DU round, 
which is used in the A10 Thunderbolt.


...

For the entire column, see
http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/307.html

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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