US Army wants bullets that turn into plants over time. (Representational image)
From times immemorial, bullets have been designed to kill people. But not only that, the metallic compounds in them also tend to seep into the environment and kill plants and wildlife.
In a step towards environmental protection, the US army is contemplating the use of biodegradable bullets.
What are biodegradable bullets?
At training facilities the world over, the US Army uses live ammunition to gear up their soldiers for combat. These bullets just remain in the wild and do their damage.
Therefore, in order to control environmental damage, officials are now asking for proposals to design biodegradable bullets that shall no longer harm the environment.
Not only that, but they are also hoping that the bullets will contain seeds, specialized for each local environment, so that they will ultimately "grow environmentally beneficial plants that eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants."
US govt's official website for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) says it powered this effort of the American army
According to the website:
"The US Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) has demonstrated bio-engineered seeds that can be embedded into the biodegradable composites and that will not germinate until they have been in the ground for several months."
Future prospects of these biodegradable bullets
Not only will new plants sprout from these seed bullets, but they will help suck-out dangerous chemicals from their surrounding environment.
- It's certainly an ambitious concept, but not one outside of the realms of possibility
- According to SBIR, this type of bullet 'shell' has already been tested
- Now, they just need to be made into bullets that can be fired from a real weapon
The Department of Defence, US is soliciting proposals in how to make their ammunition biodegradable, as well as to contain seeds which will sprout plants.
How the plant-growing bullets mission will unfold
Proposals are being considered until February 8, whereupon a winner will be asked to produce their biodegradable bullets for testing.
As has been pointed out, these bullets are actually quite large, ranging from 40 mm varieties (essentially grenades) to 120 mm mortar and tank rounds, and even 155 mm artillery rounds.
If this idea takes off, then the US, which is also a nuclear superpower, will build a new identity for itself which will see people use assault rifles to plant crops across the States.
0 Comments