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In sum, as the United States is continuing to procure
cluster munitions, it is important to focus on procuring those that demonstrate
improved accuracy and have either an acceptable dud rate or a self-destruct
mechanism. The technology DoD has requested, however, does not address all of
the humanitarian costs of these deadly weapons. In some cases, it increases
accuracy without lowering the dud rate. The United States still stockpiles
about one billion more submunitions that have unacceptably high dud rates. In
other cases, the technology improves the reliability of submunitions but
continues to use inaccurate means of delivery. Furthermore, careful targeting
must accompany technological changes. Only by destroying or retrofitting older
weapons, refusing to procure munitions that have either accuracy or reliability
problems, and avoiding use in populated areas can the civilian cost of cluster
munitions be brought under control.
