"Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator" [RNEP] Bunker-busters

Radsafe:

It seems many are enamored of the word "Robust" when it comes to nuclear issues whether related to the

debate about nuclear plant safety from external attack, or nuclear weapons for bunker-busters. See the

news note below from a recent issue of New Scientist about "Bunker-busters set to go nuclear". Interesting.

Stewart Farber

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November 7, 2002 - NewScientist - Bunker-busters set to go nuclear - The US government is set to fund

research into a new type of nuclear weapon that is designed to penetrate and obliterate deeply buried

targets such as underground weapons bunkers. Coming 50 years after the world's first hydrogen bomb was

detonated in the Pacific, the news has alarmed scientists opposed to nuclear proliferation. They say the

thousands of tonnes of radioactive debris produced by a bunker-busting nuclear weapon would not be

contained within the rock, concrete and soil above the target, but would contaminate a wide area around it.

Funding of $15 million has been proposed for research into the so-called Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator

(RNEP), as part of the government's draft Defense Authorisation Bill for 2003. But the bill has not yet

been passed by the Senate Committee on Armed Services. While a decision has been delayed until after this

week's Congressional elections, a source close to the committee says the RNEP will get the green light.

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