Benign Weather Modification

Weather modification is a technology once embraced by the U.S. military as a tool to help both wartime and peacetime missions. However, interest in the ability to modify weather has waned over recent years and is now nearly non-existent. This study examines one aspect of weather modification, benign weather modification, for possible use in assisting military operations. After briefly reviewing the history and science of weather modification, this study bounds the aspects of weather modification being addressed. The study then describes barriers to benign weather modification (BWM), showing how they affect current weather modification policy in the military. Then examples are shown of current civilian BWM techniques, their possible use by the military, and some military-unique needs for weather modification. After examining current weather modification and projected future BWM technology, this study concludes that military BWM use deserves another look. Increased reliance on precision guided munitions makes BWM a possible new tool in ensuring accurate targeting with minimal collateral damage. In addition, BWM offers the warplanner a means to dictate battlespace elements at a critical point in a conflict. At a minimum, the U.S. military should conduct a more in-depth review of weather modification to see if technological advances offer opportunities for more "bang for the buck."