For the projectile to function properly, it must be made of a very heavy, very fast material, Zee said. The material also must not break up on impact so that it can penetrate the target. Because of its very high density and because it meets the other requirements, depleted uranium is used in these high-tech bombs. Depleted uranium, though, poses health and safety concerns that can linger long after the military conflict ends. Kinetic energy weapons were used extensively in the Gulf War and during the 1999 NATO bombings in Kosovo.
Uranium leaves a radioactive, toxic residue that renders the target area contaminated.
Special military cleanup crews must be deployed to decontaminate the areas after combat ends. However, this does not prevent unwary resident civilians from being exposed to potential health hazards before detoxification is completed. This hazard is central to a global controversy over the use of depleted uranium in bombs. The Associated Press has reported that cases of leukemia among peacekeepers who served in Kosovo may be linked to the depleted uranium contained in bombs used during the NATO air strikes. Zee said that the military is genuinely interested in eliminating the need for using depleted uranium in its weapons program.