US military wants to create bullets that turn into plants and flowers

Department of Defence wants to develop biodegradable training ammunition

The US army is hoping to create biodegradable bullets in an effort to minimise the impact that empty ammunition has on the environment.



“The Department of Defence (DoD) wants to develop biodegradable training ammunition loaded with specialised seeds to grow environmentally beneficial plants that eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants,” read an official request.



The specialised seeds will be made for the local environment, and will “grow environmentally beneficial plants that eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants.” This would enable wildlife to “consume the plants without any ill effects.”



The shells of bullets, which contain metal and other chemicals, can rust and pollute soils and groundwater. But these bullets with seeds inside them, after being in the ground for a few months, would grow plants. Proposals will be considered until February 8, after which a prototype will be created and tested with training ammunition. The bullets will range from 40mm – 120mm training rounds.

This article originally appeared on Indy100.