US said to have new type of neutron weapon

August 2, 1982

The United States is engaged in a military project that could double or even triple the number of controversial neutron (enhanced radiation) weapons in its arsenal, according to congressional sources.

Government scientists and engineers are developing a small nuclear artillery shell that would have much less explosive power than a standard nuclear weapon, but would spray the surrounding area with up to six times as much lethal radiation, the sources said.