Self-neutralized

Self-neutralization feature

Who is stock-taking at Instalaza S.A, the Spanish company that apparently produced the cluster bombs used by Gaddafi's militia? They are still producing and promoting these weapons called "MAT-120" on their website using euphemistic explanations that these kind of

mortar munition with 21 anti-tank and fragmentation submunitions were equipped with self-destruct and self-neutralization features to eliminate the risk of live munitions being left on the ground

It would be of interest what exactly is meant with "self-destruct and self-neutralization". A bomb is bomb is a bomb ... and the purpose of a bomb is in deed self-destruction.

Who can explain, how the "self-neutralization feature" works together with the idea of a bomb and the purpose of self-destruction?

Does the munition become "safe" after it hit the ground?

This are some questions I asked the Instalaza-Team in order to learn more about these dead or alive materials. Here is the email:

Dear Instalaza-Team,

as an artist, based in Germany, I am interested in one of your products called MAT-120.

As you describe it on your website it seems to be a Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU), what surprised me since these weapons lost all popularity after the Cluster Munition Coalition in 2003. Anyway, it seems that Gaddafi's militia trust in your product as we heard recently that the MAT-120 submunition was found at several spots in Libya.

As an artist who is an absolute newbie in ammos and arms I would like to get more informations about these materials since I ponder about using it for a large-scale installation that will be unveiled at Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid ►Link in spring 2012. For this reason I have some practical questions.

On your website you said that these bombs were equipped with "self-destruct and self-neutralization features to eliminate the risk of live munitions being left on the ground". This sounds like a friendly killing device which is only dangerous after bombing.

Anyhow, could you please specify how both features, the self-destruction and the self-neutralization work together?

I always thought a bomb is a bomb due to its simple purpose to destruct itself and everything around. Perhaps my idea of a bomb was a tad too simple or I totally missed all the technologies behind modern ammunitions. But please could you clarify what exactly you mean with "self-destruct feature"?

My second question is the signification of "self-neutralization"? I guess it is different from the self-destruct feature, isn't it? But how exactly does it work? Is the munition safe after it has hit the ground? This is what your product description suggests and it would be perfect for the realization of my artwork. So, would it be possible to pick up the duds and ship it to Madrid? Don't worry the transport company will be a professionalized shipper specialized in the transport of Fine Arts – so they are used to handle risky goods and will proceed with caution.

Now the third and the last question. Since I intend to work with a group of assistants – most of them students of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando ►Link in Madrid who are so kind to work for me at no charge – I want to be sure that there will be no danger when we start constructing and sculpting the installation. It would be great and really helpful for me if you could send me a signed guaranty that there is no risk to install and exhibit my work – I think this letter could help to appease the curatorial team – just in case.

So, I would be really grateful for your advice, thanks in advance.

Kindly,

tkl

... still waiting for reply.