REPORT: WHITE PHOSPHORUS

Macro Analysis

4.2 Coverage Area

The analysis undertaken to evaluate the Coverage Area of the M825 WP projectile is separated into two distinct sets of simulations:

  • Low Angle/High Angle: The first set simulates the ballistic behavior of the M825 WP in a low-angle and in a high-angle fire scenario, by matching the parameters used in the model with those identifiable in the video documentation of a typical example of each scenario. Once the simulation is run, the Coverage Area is established for each. These two examples illustrate the difference in the Coverage Area resulting from each type of fire scenario.
  • Area Spectrum: The second set of simulations focuses on the minimal and maximal dimensions of the elliptic Coverage Area within which an M825 WP round may distribute its wedges. To illustrate the burst dynamics in a maximal Coverage Area scenario, the variables of the parametric model are adjusted to produce an ellipse of length 200m in the long axis - so as to match the maximum dimension cited in military documents. The minimal Coverage Area, as far as could be established at the time of this report, is not officially documented in field manuals or munitions specifications. Thus, to simulate the minimal Coverage Area, variables were chosen within the range of observable behavior in archival footage.

These maximal and minimal Coverage Areas establish the spectrum of areas that can be covered by a single M825 WP round, and are limits considered for the estimation of civilian exposure in the following section.

Analyzed Videos Opening Angle (α) Inclination (β) HoB Coverage Area
Low Angle Fire 30 60 90 8200 m2
High Angle Fire 41 47 120 8200 m2
Representation Opening Angle (α) Inclination (β) HoB Coverage Area
Maximum 65 55 90 28400 m2
Minimum
15 50 200 2600 m2

12

13