Biodegradable Ammunition

[SelfGovernor]

https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1207769

OBJECTIVE: Develop biodegradable training ammunition loaded with specialized seeds to grow environmentally beneficial plants that eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants.

Our Tax $$$ at work...

A can understand that a non-lead composition that breaks down over time might be beneficial for the application, but to have seeds?

[musick]

Kinda seems like a good idea to me. What alternative would you propose?

A few obstacles if they really wanted to do it right would be the seed mix would have to be area-specific. Not all seeds are the same size so bullet construction could be challenging. Additionally, bullets shot into soft targets (paper, cardboard) might end up too deep in the earth for successful germination. Hard targets could produce potential "seed spalling" and would germinate at a greater rate.

Its tricky though - in my location increased vegetation could lead to greater fire potential in the dry months. Still a great idea for wetter climates.

[musick]

Ive used calcium carbonate beads to encapsulate beneficial bacteria in order to increase yield in agricultural crops. They remain solid until extended exposure to moisture, then they "melt" away. Include some N-P-K and trace minerals into the composition of the beads (bullets) and the argument could be made that we are saving the earth by target shooting!

Take that tree-huggers!

[philc]

News article regarding the same topic

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/10/us-army-asks-for-biodegradable-ammo.html?intcmp=trending

[CALI-gula]

News article regarding the same topic

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/...ntcmp=trending

Calguns thread trying to steer us to the same topic:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1290588

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[SelfGovernor]

Kinda seems like a good idea to me. What alternative would you propose?

When I first read the solicitation, I was thinking they must use a high mass metal like lead or Iron and there would be no way the seed based bio composition would be as dense and be able to meet the requirement "shall meet all the performance requirements of existing training rounds".

Not a military vet so I'll have to plead ignorance about what they actually do use currently...



SG

[CALI-gula]

When I first read the solicitation, I was thinking they must use a high mass metal like lead or Iron and there would be no way the seed based bio composition would be as dense and be able to meet the requirement "shall meet all the performance requirements of existing training rounds".

Not a military vet so I'll have to plead ignorance about what they actually do use currently...



SG

Dense, biodegradable plastic like they use now days to make golf-tees. Turns to mush after long periods in wet soil/rain.

Still have no idea you could keep it from breaking up going 850 to 1700 average fps down a gun barrel, no matter the caliber, let alone out of a rifle that can be 2000 to 3000 fps.

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