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Conclusion

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.