OF WEAPONS these kinds of weapons poses great risks because of their potential to be deployed within a relatively short period of time. RADIOLOGICAL WEAPONS: Also called radiological dispersion
devises (RDDs) or “dirty bombs”, radiological weapons could be used to spread economic and social disruption through the dispersal of invisible radioactive contaminants. Although they are capable of extensive, long-term damage, have the potential to be used for spreading terror and panic, RDDs have not been used in war, but the fear that they might be used has increased in recent years. Anxiety about radiological weapons has fuelled a debate about the operation of nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants utilize and create radioactive materials in the form of spent fuel storage and other on-site radioactive waste that could be fashioned into radiological weapons. A growing concern is that these radioactive materials might be stolen and used to cause damage to people and the environment. Some people argue that nuclear power plants themselves could be used as radiological weapons. For example, in the event of war, nuclear power plants could be used as primary bombing targets, having the potential to release widespread radioactive material. There is no agreement on the actual damage that a radiological weapon could produce because that would depend upon the type of radioactive materials used, and how they were dispersed.
weapons and war, we’re usually thinking about conventional weapons systems. Think of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, artillery systems, attack helicopters, combat aircraft, warships, and missile systems. Each year, countries spend an enormous amount of money on these weapons; the trade in
CATEGORIES OF WEAPONS
MAJOR CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS: When we talk about
The plutonium bomb “Fat Man” that was dropped over the City of Nagasaki on 9 August 1945, killing more than 70,000 people, and causing radiation sickness in survivors that continues to this day.
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