A total of 320 tons (290,300 kilograms) of DU projectiles were fired by the U.S. during the Gulf War:
- Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs (Warthogs) 260 tons
- U.S. Marine Corps AV-8 Harriers 10 tons
- U.S. Army and Marine Corps M60 and M1A1 Abrams tanks 50 tons
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A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) |
A-10 Thunderbolt II GAU-8 cannon fires 30mm DU rounds |
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M1A1 Abrams tank |
AV8-B Harrier |
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120mm DU Sabot round (cutaway) for the M1A1 tank |
Sabot separating from the DU penetrator |
DU friendly fire and accidental fire incidents contaminated a total of 31 U.S. combat vehicles (16 Abrams tanks and 15 Bradley armored vehicles) in the Gulf during 1990-1991. These incidents, and the resultant cleanup and recovery operations, exposed a number of soldiers to depleted uranium. Those with the highest exposures were in, on, or near vehicles when they were struck.
For more information on the use of Depleted Uranium during the Gulf War, see our Environmental Exposure Report, Depleted Uranium in the Gulf (II). |