neutron bomb

neutron bomb
a nuclear bomb designed to release radiation consisting mainly of neutrons, thus causing extensive loss of life but relatively little damage to buildings and property and only brief radioactive contamination. Also called neutron radiation weapon, N-bomb.
[1955-60]

* * *

or enhanced radiation warhead

Small thermonuclear weapon that produces minimal blast and heat but releases large amounts of lethal radiation.

The blast and heat are confined to a radius of only a few hundred yards; within a somewhat larger area, the bomb throws off a massive wave of neutron and gamma radiation, which is extremely destructive to living tissue. Such a bomb could be used with deadly efficiency against tank and infantry formations on the battlefield without endangering towns or cities only a few miles away. It can be carried in a missile or delivered by a howitzer or even an attack aircraft.

* * *

also called  Enhanced Radiation Warhead,  

      specialized type of small thermonuclear weapon that produces minimal blast and heat but which releases large amounts of lethal radiation. The neutron bomb delivers blast and heat effects that are confined to an area of only a few hundred yards in radius. But within a somewhat larger area it throws off a massive wave of neutron and gamma radiation, which can penetrate armour or several feet of earth. This radiation is extremely destructive to living tissue. Because of its short-range destructiveness and the absence of long-range effect, the neutron bomb would be highly effective against tank and infantry formations on the battlefield but would not endanger cities or other population centres only a few miles away. It can be carried in a Lance missile or delivered by an 8-inch (200-millimetre) howitzer, or possibly by attack aircraft.

      In strategic terms, the neutron bomb has a theoretical deterrent effect: discouraging an armoured ground assault by arousing the fear of neutron bomb counterattack. The bomb would disable enemy tank crews in minutes, and those exposed would die within days. U.S. production of the bomb was postponed in 1978 and resumed in 1981.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • neutron bomb — neutron bombs N COUNT A neutron bomb is a nuclear weapon that is designed to kill people and animals without a large explosion and without destroying buildings or causing serious radioactive pollution …   English dictionary

  • neutron bomb — neutron .bomb n a type of ↑nuclear bomb that kills people but is not intended to cause much damage to buildings, roads etc …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • neutron bomb — neutron ,bomb noun count a nuclear bomb designed to kill people with strong RADIATION but to cause little damage to buildings …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • neutron bomb — ► NOUN ▪ a nuclear weapon that produces large numbers of neutrons rather than heat or blast, causing harm to life but not property …   English terms dictionary

  • neutron bomb — ☆ neutron bomb n. a small thermonuclear warhead for battlefield use, that would release large numbers of neutrons intended to disable or kill enemy soldiers without destroying buildings, vehicles, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Neutron bomb — A neutron bomb or enhanced radiation weapon (ERW) or weapon of reinforced radiation is a type of thermonuclear weapon designed specifically to release a large portion of its energy as energetic neutron radiation rather than explosive energy.… …   Wikipedia

  • neutron bomb — noun atom bomb that produces lethal neutrons with less blast (Freq. 1) • Hypernyms: ↑atom bomb, ↑atomic bomb, ↑A bomb, ↑fission bomb, ↑plutonium bomb * * * noun, pl ⋯ bombs [count] : a nuclear bomb that releases very large amounts of radiation *… …   Useful english dictionary

  • neutron bomb — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms neutron bomb : singular neutron bomb plural neutron bombs a nuclear bomb designed to kill people with strong radiation but to cause little damage to buildings …   English dictionary

  • neutron bomb — noun Date: 1959 a nuclear bomb designed to produce lethal neutrons but less blast and fire damage than other nuclear bombs …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • neutron bomb — noun An atomic bomb that produces a greater amount of neutrons, and a lesser amount of blast; the intention being to destroy life but not infrastructure …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”