The military does not use gamma ray weapons primarily because gamma rays are highly energetic and difficult to control, making them unsuitable for practical military applications. Here are a few reasons why gamma ray weapons are not employed:
Difficulty in containment: Gamma rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate most materials and can cause severe damage to living organisms. It is challenging to contain and control gamma rays, as they require dense shielding materials, which adds significant weight and bulk to any potential weapon system. This makes it impractical for deployment on the battlefield.
Collateral damage and indiscriminate nature: Gamma rays are highly penetrating and can pass through objects, including buildings and vehicles. This means that using gamma ray weapons would result in significant collateral damage, potentially harming friendly forces, civilians, and infrastructure in the vicinity of the target. The indiscriminate nature of gamma rays makes them unsuitable for military use, where precision and minimizing civilian casualties are critical considerations.
Safety concerns: Gamma rays are extremely hazardous to human health. Exposure to gamma radiation can lead to acute radiation sickness, long-term health effects, and even death. The military is bound by ethical and legal frameworks that prioritize the protection of soldiers and civilians. Developing and deploying weapons that can harm large numbers of people indiscriminately would violate these principles.
Limited practical effectiveness: While gamma rays have tremendous energy, their range is limited in the Earth's atmosphere due to the absorption and scattering effects of air. This limits their effectiveness as long-range weapons. Additionally, gamma rays are primarily produced through nuclear processes, such as radioactive decay or nuclear reactions. Harnessing gamma rays as a weapon would require a compact and reliable source of gamma radiation, which is currently not feasible.
Overall, due to the technical challenges, safety concerns, indiscriminate nature, and limited practical effectiveness, gamma ray weapons are not employed by the military. Instead, military forces focus on more conventional and precise weapon systems that can achieve their objectives effectively while minimizing collateral damage and maintaining ethical standards.