Smart Weapons; Oxymoron or Game Changer?
The AFP reported the US Army has deployed the XM25 "Smart" Grenade launcher in Afghanistan. As usual, the US Army is toting its new toy as a "Game Changer" because of its ability to seek and destroy targets hiding behind walls, trenches, and trees.
The XM25 can propel a grenade 700 meters (2,300 feet) and detonate the 25mm air-bursting ordinance exactly where they want it to, avoiding those pesky mishaps of blowing up the locals and their property. The army claims this weapon is taking away the advantage of enemies hiding behind structures and hidey holes. For 1,000 years this has been the best way of not getting shot or blown up.
I personally take exception to that statement! Unless that "Smart" weapon can distinguish between the Taliban and "Friendlies," the wrong people are still going to accidentally get killed.
Picture this, you're on your way to your mailbox and suddenly hear gunfire and explosions. What do you do instinctively? If you value your life you hide in the nearest sturdiest place you can find. Oh,no--it's a shed in your yard. The US army sees a shadowy figure dashing for safety, and the next conversation you're having is with your God about the tragic end to your life.
Unless this weapon can single out an enemy only, which is impossible, (The Taliban are human,) there will be just as many mishaps as there were before the "Smart" Weapon! Come on US Government, tell the truth for once. The people this weapon is protecting are the men and women of the US Army.
Please don't get me wrong--our troops need all the protecting they can get. I abhor American causalities as much as any other American. The US Government’s spin on this weapon makes it sound like the programmable weapon will prevent any mistakes in the future. If one of our soldiers on patrol has to hide in any of these places and can't communicate with other soldiers and just happens to be 650 meters away, he will probably be blown up by a tired, overworked brother who accidentally mistook him for a Taliban enemy.
It is my foregone conclusion that the "Smartest" weapon is peace which will eliminate all deaths due to war.
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