US Army Wants Biodegradable Bullets That Sprout Plants

U.S. troopers take part in a coaching train on March 7, 2011, in Pocheon, South Korea.

Credit score: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Pictures

Not solely are bullets a bodily hazard, however they're an environmental hazard, too. At US Armytraining amenities all over the world, a whole lot of hundreds of spent shells litter proving grounds. As a result of there isn't any environment friendly option to clear up the shells, they're left the place they fall.

However that is an issue. The shells, which include metallic and different chemical substances, can rust and pollute soils and groundwater.

The DoD needs to do one thing about it, although. They're soliciting proposals for biodegradable bullets "loaded with specialised seeds to develop environmentally helpful vegetation that eradicate ammunition particles and contaminants."

Such supplies finest suited to these bullets may embody the identical biodegradable plasticsused to make water bottles or plastic containers. Or it might be another materials altogether.

In keeping with the request for proposal, the US Military Corps of Engineers' Chilly Areas Analysis and Engineering Laboratory has already developed and examined seeds that may be embedded right into a biodegradable composite. They have been bioengineered to germinate solely after they have been within the floor for a number of months.

Proposals are being solicited till February eight, after which period, the chosen contractors will produce the biodegradable bullets as a part of a three-phase course of. In section one, the contractor will deal with making 40 mm to 120 mm coaching rounds. "Bullets" may be a little bit of an understatement right here. Even the smaller 40 mm rounds, that are primarily grenades, are fairly hefty (see picture under). The 120 mm rounds are even greater; they're utilized in tanks.

Section II consists of growing a prototype and the means to fabricate it and section III has the biodegradable spherical transitioning to make use of on the Military coaching amenities.

The vegetation that develop from the seeds may additionally assist take away soil contaminants or feed native wildlife. In keeping with the proposal, "Animals ought to be capable of devour the vegetation with none ailing results."

In different phrases, these bullets will not kill.

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