Weapons Delivery

This article surveys the various types of chemical weapons delivery systems that were developed during the twentieth century, concentrating on weapons produced by the United States. In general, chemical weapons delivery systems fit into one of several general types weapons produced by other nations tend to have similar designs. 

C. Environmental factors. The presence of wind and rain can reduce the effectiveness of chemical weapon delivery by increasing dispersion and dilutional effects. Cold weather may reduce vapor formation but increase persistence of the liquid form of some agents. Gases and vapors heavier than air may accumulate in low-lying areas. 

Israeli-based publications and western analysts seem to be in agreement that Syria s Scud-C missiles, originally purchased from North Korea, are being utilized for long-range chemical weapons delivery. Recent reports indicate that Syria has also developed clusters of bomblets containing CW to be loaded... 

Contrary to these accusations, a US Joint Strategic Plans Committee report of 1953 that addressed America s chemical and biological warfare preparedness stated the United States was far from being capable in the area of biological weapon delivery. As a result, the report contended the United States had only a limited capability in antipersonnel and anti-crop BW and no capability at all in anti-animal BW. 

People have sometimes been able to avoid the tedious business of extracting iron from its natural ore. When Commander Peary was exploring Greenland in 1894 he was taken by an Eskimo to a place near Cape York to see a huge, half-buried meteorite. This had provided metal for Eskimo tools and weapons for over a hundred years. Meteorites usually contain iron plus about 10% nickel a direct delivery of low-alloy iron from the heavens. 

Weapons Convention is facilitated by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the assistance received through the contributions of member states and the utilisation of experts within and external to the OPCW. It also involves the coordination and delivery of specialised services from national agencies and other international organisations involved in providing emergency humanitarian assistance. The OPCW will continue its work on the cooperative efforts with many member states to maintain the effort to development, implement and train for an effective delivery of assistance in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. 

In this context, the Convention requires that States Parties cooperate with the OPCW in facilitating the coordination and delivery of assistance and protection to minimise the consequences of a chemical weapons attack, in countering the threat of use of chemical weapons, and in eliminating the threats posed by activities prohibited under Article I of the Convention. Article X stipulates that each State Party has the right to request and to receive assistance and protection against the use or threat of use of chemical weapons. 

Nuclear weapon Fully integrated nuclear warhead with delivery system. 

Chapter 4 described methods for limiting the time of exposure to weapons of mass destruction that utilize no explosives (e.g., aerosol delivery) or use of conventional explosives (e.g., dirty bomb). The basic procedure is to leave the contaminated area as quickly as possible, enter a nearby building to shelter against airborne contamination, remove soiled articles of clothing, and wash all exposed body parts (including the mouth and hair) as soon as possible. In Chapter 4, the time factor is applied primarily to limit the chances of potential future health effects. In this section, the time factor is applied after a nuclear explosion to prevent serious bodily harm and death. 

The following rules provide guidance on how emergency responders can best minimize exposure to weapons of mass destruction that utilize no explosives (e.g., aerosol delivery of agent) or use conventional explosives (e.g., dirty bomb) ... 

Chemical warfare has its roots in antiquity. Periodically, armies have used dmgs, mostly extracted from poisonous plants, against their opponents. In more recent centuries, chemical laboratories have gone on to produce new and more sophisticated compounds along with more effective devices for their delivery. The American army paid little or no attention to this type of weapon, however, until the 20th century. When German troops used toxic gases in World War I, they found the U.S. and its allies almost totally unprepared. 

CBR would be relatively inexpensive compared to other modem forms of warfare and could use delivery techniques al ready developed for nuclear weapons. 

Approximately 1 million 8 ft x 8 ft containers enter the United States monthly, and only 2 percent of them are inspected in any way before delivery. These uninspected containers could hold nuclear weapons, contaminated items, biological weapons, or dissemination devices. How can these items be prevented from entering the country ... 

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